Narcissism is defined as having an excessive interest in or admiration for oneself and in one’s physical appearance. The word, although seemingly modern, has been around for a very long time. In Greek Mythology, Narcissus was known for his beauty and a fixation on himself and his outer appearance. The story told about him is, after seeing his reflection in a pool of water, he fell in love as if it were another human being.
The Apostle Paul identified and described narcissism in 2 Timothy sometime between 90 and 140 A.D. This divine wisdom has brought us to where we are today, where psychologists and mental health professionals have identified nine narcissistic traits, outlined in the DSM-5. Licensed professionals, with the ability to diagnose mental health disorders, must see at least five of the nine criteria to label someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (or NPD).
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