what’s the difference between a narcissistic person and just an asshole?
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Narcissist believes they're right. Assholes just think you're wrong.
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Youtuber Sarah Z has a whole video about how this online "Narcissist" obsession is dumb.
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Every narcissist is an asshole, but not every asshole is a narcissist
My asshole is definitely not a narcissist.
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
The asshole is an asshole on purpose.
The narcissist couldn't stop acting like an asshole even if they tried. -
My layman’s understanding is that clinical narcissism is a pathological obsession with the perception of self (vs. sociopathy which is pathological obsession with self-interests, explained in a moment), and being an asshole is a transient state.
A narcissist will constantly have in mind what others think of them, and obsessively make sure other people believe they are good, socially better, morally superior, high status, etc. at any cost, and will topple and tear down other people to ensure that perception. Anyone who challenges that is a threat and will be treated with active hostility. They care what you think because it feeds their sickness.
A sociopath generally does not care what you think, unless you believing something is useful to them. They are typically equally focused on others’ perception of them but for a different reason. People are simply tools; means to an end. Reputation is an asset in their toolkit to get what they want, at whatever cost. Lack of remorse at a pervasive, chronic level tends to characterize sociopathy.
An asshole doesn’t necessarily mean either. I can be mean to you, or hurt someone to get my way, and that would make me an asshole. I don’t necessarily think I’m better than you and I do have the capacity to feel remorse. Asshole is a changeable behavior, or an attitude, and not a severe disorder.
TL;DR: Narcissists are specifically mentally sick, and can be assholes. But anyone can act like an asshole ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I think it's important to highlight the obsessive portion of it. Many people care about others perception of them, whereas narcissists literally obsess over it, to the point where every though and action is permeated by the crafting their image and boosting their other's perception, to the point where it becomes the narcissist's only goal. It's highly connected to ego, and a narcissist only ever does anything to chase a sense of superiority.
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
a narcissist is self-absorbed
an asshole actively enjoys the suffering of others
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
NPD and BPD are both driven by an eternal sucking void of insecurity and negative self-esteem that can never be filled.
Narcissists try to fill it with praise and social status, or failing that, power and subjugation.
Borderlines try to fill it with limerence and victimhood or failing that, revenge.
But it can't ever be filled - it's worse than addiction, worse than being underwater in some shitty MLM scheme. It takes and takes and takes because fuck you, pay me.
So they don't have friends or loved ones, they have hosts. They suck out all the goodness until there's nothing left to give, then they start in on the pain.
Assholes, in the other hand, are just driven by simple greed, callousness and lack of consideration. They can and do still hurt people of course, but it's not an all-consuming obsessive need.
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Narcissists lack something that makes them whole. They desperately try to fill that void that fits in the current moment. They tend to truly believe a story to fit their needs and completely change it when the situation changes. You won't be able to correct their story based on your own memory. Sociopaths are whole, their memory is stable, their deeds are purposefully malignant.
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Depression
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
There's gotta be a vin diagram for this one
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Narcissism, like all personality disorders, is a trauma response and also not indicative of someone's moral character as you can get help and learn not to act on your worst inclinations.
Asshole is a behavior.
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NPD and BPD are both driven by an eternal sucking void of insecurity and negative self-esteem that can never be filled.
Narcissists try to fill it with praise and social status, or failing that, power and subjugation.
Borderlines try to fill it with limerence and victimhood or failing that, revenge.
But it can't ever be filled - it's worse than addiction, worse than being underwater in some shitty MLM scheme. It takes and takes and takes because fuck you, pay me.
So they don't have friends or loved ones, they have hosts. They suck out all the goodness until there's nothing left to give, then they start in on the pain.
Assholes, in the other hand, are just driven by simple greed, callousness and lack of consideration. They can and do still hurt people of course, but it's not an all-consuming obsessive need.
Good thing is BPD is treatable with DBT. The therapy teaches them how to balance the rapidly shifting emotions, and how to break the feeling, judgement,action chain that drives their behaviours.
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Functionally, not much I can see , the former's slur for people with NPD (or whom person saying it thinks has NPD)
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Functionally, not much I can see , the former's slur for people with NPD (or whom person saying it thinks has NPD)
it’s a slur? let me change the title then
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Every narcissist is an asshole, but not every asshole is a narcissist
That's definitely not true. Narcissism is a personality disorder like any other. If it's worked on and treated it can be fine.
There are no mental disorders that inherently make someone a bad person.
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it’s a slur? let me change the title then
️ so what differentiates some one with (NPD|just some asshole) is one obviously has disability while the other dœsn't (necessarily)NPD ≠ asshole disorder . More complex than that , and (assholish|selfcentered)ness isn't innate trait some peops have
Not gꝏd with explaining , srry
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
I am not a narcissist. I don't think I'm better or more important than anyone else. I don't think I'm the center of the universe.
I am however, an asshole. Knowing you are not the best or smartest, doesn't mean you can't be arrogant and insufferable.
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️ so what differentiates some one with (NPD|just some asshole) is one obviously has disability while the other dœsn't (necessarily)
NPD ≠ asshole disorder . More complex than that , and (assholish|selfcentered)ness isn't innate trait some peops have
Not gꝏd with explaining , srry
ohh, thanks!
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how would you tell, since “narcissist” is used so often to describe a regular, typical asshole.
Sam Vikins... "Malignant self love" explains everything. Or check out his yt.
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That's definitely not true. Narcissism is a personality disorder like any other. If it's worked on and treated it can be fine.
There are no mental disorders that inherently make someone a bad person.
That's a fair and valid point
