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Many of us are acquainted with narcissism, whether through personal experience or seeing it in someone close to us. Interacting with a narcissist—whether it’s within a parent-child dynamic, a long-term relationship, or in a professional context—can lead to harmful consequences such as anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self.
Classic narcissism can be hard to treat. However, Dr. Carrie Barron, director of Creativity for Resilience at the University of Texas Austin’s Dell Medical School, suggests that some individuals may temporarily fall into a narcissistic state following a significant life event that challenges their self-image.
As Dr. Barron recently explained in a series of Psychology Today articles, “Sometimes reality is too overwhelming, and a vulnerable individual may retreat into what’s known as secondary narcissism.”
Extreme coping strategies can often resemble narcissistic behavior.
This might manifest as someone withdrawing from loved ones after a significant setback, neglecting their obligations in the process, or escaping into a fantasy world, to the detriment of those who rely on them, due to overwhelming hopelessness from a challenging situation. Barron refers to this as 'reactive temporary narcissism.'
Narcissistic personality disorder is marked by an inflated sense of self, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward others. Many narcissists cope by retreating into grandiose fantasies as a form of self-soothing when reality doesn’t provide the praise they desire. However, there are several similarities between someone with narcissistic personality disorder and a person who turns to narcissistic behavior as a means of coping with a crisis, with some subtle distinctions.
'The fantasies may differ slightly if they serve as self-medication during a crisis, as opposed to being part of a continuous false-self persona,' Barron explained in an email to Mytour.
Reactive temporary narcissism may respond more positively to treatment.
While this extreme coping behavior can be challenging for a person’s loved ones, there is hope—this form of narcissism is temporary and can be treated.
'One should consider how the individual was before the major stressor, the significance of that stressor to them, and their responsiveness and adaptability in therapy,' Barron noted in an email to Mytour.
In other words, if someone acknowledges that their coping behavior is harmful and detrimental to their relationships, and is committed to working hard to develop healthier habits, change is within reach.
'Patience, empathy, and gradual progress are essential for the treatment process,' Barron explained.
