PTSD #7 - Narcissism

Doug Carragher from Wounded Spirits Ministries talks about PTSD.

PTSD Conference: Chapters 12 in the workbook.

You can download the workbook and follow the accompanying notes at: tinyurl.com/StudyPTSD

What is a narcissist? It is a type of personality disorder — a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.

Behind this mask of extreme confidence, lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs.

People with the narcissistic personality disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they're not given the special favors or admiration, they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships unfulfilling, and others may not enjoy being around them.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance.
Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration.
Recognition as superior, even without achievements that warrant it.
Exaggerate achievements and talents.
Preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.
Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people.
Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior.
Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations.
Take advantage of others to get what they want.
Unable or unwilling to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
Envious of others and believe others envy them.
Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious.
Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
People with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:
Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment.
Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted.
React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior.
Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior.
Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change.
Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection.
Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder’s Major Flaw
People shall be lovers of their own selves. Narcissism is addressed in Paul’s letter to Timothy. Paul seems to be concerned about the character and behavior of leaders within the church, so he warns Timothy to beware of those who act out of a self-love attitude. Paul names many of the attributes associated today with the narcissistic personality. 2 Timothy 3:1-7:

Perilous (dangerous/unsafe) times shall come.
Last days began with the coming of Christ.
People will be lovers of their selves. The opposite of humility.
People will be lovers of money.
People will be boasters, proud (high-minded) and blasphemers.
People will be disobedient to parents.
People will be unthankful, unholy, unloving and unforgiving.
People will be slanderers.
People will be without self-control.
People will be brutal, despisers of good.
People will be traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
These characteristics point to one thing, ’SELF’. We can become traitors, because of self. We are headstrong, because of self. We are haughty, because of self, and we are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, because of self (Proverbs 18:16-17). 2023

This attitude marks our current age. Make your own rules and answer to no one. You are the one that matters. Your universe revolves around you.

Having a form of godliness but denying its power: In our self-obsessed world, people feel very free to have a “buffet” religion – they pick and choose what they want. They feel free to be very “spiritual,” but sense no obligation to be Biblical.

When we talk about the power of godliness, we often mean it in the sense of “power to give me what I want.” But this is exactly opposite of what Paul meant here. The power of godliness, that men will despise in the last days, is the power it should have to guide their lives; power in the sense of rightful authority – and many, many, today deny that God has the power to tell them what to do through His Word.

From such people turn away! The command to turn away from people described by the characteristics in this list is especially difficult in our present day.