Trans people and Narcissism
http://denisesboringblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/trans-people-and-narcissm/ (http://denisesboringblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/trans-people-and-narcissm/)
6/3/11
by anderson666
I was thinking a little earlier about this particular issue... Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and wondering if some trans people exhibit these issues... as with everything they must do, because as I have mentioned before we fit into the cross strand thing, the bigger picture in society... just because we may have Gender Identity issues then that doesn't mean we do not exhibit these qualities. Recently I have had a run in with someone who definitely seems to exhibit these problems, in particular their reaction to constructive criticism, or being asked some questions in the work they were doing automatically resulted that apparently I didn't like them, even to the stage that in order for us to continue any sort of dialogue that I had to apologise for something I hadn't actually done and that what I had said was taken as being wrong...
Having an ex-in-law with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, I have plenty of experience in how they behave. I can easily say that most trans-people do not have NPD. Among the characteristics of NPD are: the assumption that you are special and normal rules do not apply to you; a complete disregard for the feelings of others; a view that the main purpose of other people in the world is to be your audience and stand in awe of you; the feeling that you are always right and can do no wrong; and not the feeling that you have to be the best, but that you are the best my your very nature. Sure trans-people can be narcissistic at times, but they don't have NPD.
Here is the medical definition:
Narcissistic personality disorder
Last reviewed: November 14, 2010.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition in which people have an inflated sense of self-importance and an extreme preoccupation with themselves.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The causes of this disorder are unknown. An overly sensitive personality and parenting problems may affect the development of this disorder.
Symptoms
A person with narcissistic personality disorder may:
React to criticism with rage, shame, or humiliation
Take advantage of other people to achieve his or her own goals
Have excessive feelings of self-importance
Exaggerate achievements and talents
Be preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty, intelligence, or ideal love
Have unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment
Need constant attention and admiration
Disregard the feelings of others, and have little ability to feel empathy
Have obsessive self-interest
Pursue mainly selfish goals
Just about everybody I know and/or work with have many of the signs. The higher the manager position the more the signs. We tell that some of our mangers are "legends in their own mind" >:-)
I think that out of all personality disorders, avoidant personality disorder probably has the highest prevalence among trans people, given how they are treated by society.
Quote from: TheAetherealMeadow on June 03, 2011, 08:42:20 PM
I think that out of all personality disorders, avoidant personality disorder probably has the highest prevalence among trans people, given how they are treated by society.
I've been diagnosed with that.
Well their is a period of transition where you can't help but be excessively self intrested, Because what's happening to you seems too extreme to ignore. you have to avoid becoming narcissitic but then afterwards things settle down and your able to look further from home.
Avoidant personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person has a lifelong pattern of feeling extremely shy, inadequate, and sensitive to rejection.
Yeah, I seen a share of people displaying this condition in this froum. However, to say that we the GID people suffer more from this malady or any other malady we will need soem statistics
Personally, I suffer from being to beautiful, looking too young for my age, having a superior intellect, passing with out much effort, and having a bubbling personality. Is is such a burden >:-)
Kate D