In this paper I analyze a character’s mental disorder from the film Running With Scissors. This character is named Deirdre Burroughs. Deirdre suffers from narcissistic personality disorder. The paper touches on various symptoms that Deirdre displays because of her disorder. Also, I provide two ethological theories that I believe may have caused Deirdre to develop narcissistic personality disorder. I was able to find evidence from the Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach to support my theories. I was also able to obtain further information from an article that discusses on the disorder. Lastly, this paper provides a negative message that the film has on narcissistic personality disorder.
Have you ever come a cross an individual
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As stated in the textbook, when we are infants, we are subject to our surroundings, thusly, we are born demanding. During this time, it is a parent’s responsibility to teach their child empathy and selflessness (466). As stated in It’s All about All of Us “narcissistic personality disorder is caused by early childhood trauma”. This article states the different types of traumas that could have caused a person to become narcissistic. For example, sexual, physical, or emotional abuse are causes to narcissistic personality disorder. According to the article these horrible experiences at a young age can cause children to feel shame, emptiness and sled-blame, which cause a desire to seek attention, admiration and external validation. In the film, Deirdre tells Augusten that she can’t imagine what her mother would say if she was to see her poem published in The New York Times but that she could not let her mother’s opinion stop her. I believe that Deirdre faced harsh criticism as a child from her mother. Deirdre repeatedly says throughout the film how she’s been oppressed all her life and that her mother is a contributor to her oppression. Another probable cause for Deirdre developing narcissistic personality disorder is that she could have been sexually abused. Deirdre’s hate towards men could stem from being sexually abused. In running …show more content…
With that being said, narcissistic personality disorder is negatively portrayed. For example, the film makes it seem that people who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder are dangerous people who cannot be treated. In reality, people with this disorder can seek real therapy. Deirdre’s psychiatrist only made her worse by encouraging her behavior and giving her random medication. According to the textbook, therapy for people with narcissistic personality disorder focuses on the individual’s grandiosity, their hypersensitivity to evaluation, and their lack of empathy towards others. Relaxation training is also used to help people with this disorder cope with criticism. In my opinion, I was not able to view any positive message from the film because it only demonstrates how people with Narcissistic personality disorder have their lives falling
A narcissist is one who believes “he or she is ‘special’ and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special” people. They exploit others for their own advantage, lack empathy, and are “preoccupied with fantasies” or ideals that can be unrealistic. They believe they are the “primary importance in everybody’s life”. (“Narcissistic Personality”) Henry James’ theme in his short story, “The Beast in the Jungle”, is about a man, who is so egotistical and self-absorbed that he misses what life has to offer him, in particular, love, because of the narcissistic behavior he is doomed to live a life of loneliness and misery.
Classified as part of the Dramatic Personality Disorder, a Narcissistic Personality Disorder is based on the extremity of self-admiration. The origin of the specific personality disorder comes from the Greek root word “narcissism,” which is based on Greek mythology of Narcissus who was a man that fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. The cause of the illness is unknown, however professional mental health doctors believe the condition may be due to how a child was raised. When still in the adolescent years, excessive unconditional or an insufficient amount of love from the parents may be the cause of the disorder. Early signs of the mental illness can be spotted by adulthood. The majority of the people who are diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder show symptoms such as being conceited and garrulous by exaggerating achievements and goals that are unrealistic while ...
According to the Mayo Clinic, narcissistic personality disorder “is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others.” Generally people that suffer from narcissistic personality disorder
When one speaks of narcissism, often the image of a self-absorbed and self-aggrandizing, but overly sensitive person comes to mind. Some features of a narcissistic personality may make it seem like having confidence, however, it crosses the border from healthy confidence to putting yourself on a pedestal. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) people who suffer from the pathological form of narcissism, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), possess an exaggerated sense of importance, believe they are superior or special, expect special treatment, and/or set goals based on obtaining approval from others. The criteria for NPD includes a sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, and a need for personal gain
For my final essay, I have chosen the movie “Fatal Attraction”, and I will focus on Alex Forrest and her mental disorder. Borderline Personality was displayed in the movie and Alex had almost every symptom of this disorder. Throughout this essay, I will be discussing Alex’s characteristics, intelligence, motivation, stress, social influences and/ or personality theories, treatment, and if the depiction of the disorder and treatment is consistent with what was discussed and read in the course.
The book talks about narcissistic personality disorder which is mistakenly regarded as a big ego or inflated self-esteem. The latter entails a big psychological condition that affects negativity in marriages and work environment as the victims own self sense of self. According to the book, the victims have self-confidence and shows arrogant behaviors. This is caused by low-esteem and sense of insecurity. The author has been licensed and has nationally creditably on social work for more than 20 years.
The only person the narcissist will ever pity or feel sorry for is him/herself. If the narcissist believes he/she can get away with doing something (even if it's illegal, immoral, or will hurt someone), he/she will do it. At different times, many high profile individuals are classified as a narcissist in the media. The movie “The Wolf Of Wall Street” demonstrates how a rapid success leads to the narcissistic behavior. “Feel good” holiday movies, usually focus on traditional family values of heroism whereas Martin Scorsese in his film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” does the opposite. The movie focus on lavish life of Jordan but it was a true satire for an individual exploring quick fortune and shortcut of getting rich. Although many critics argue that “The Wolf of Wall Street” focuses mostly on the greed of Belfort, his extravagant luxurious lifestyle and portrayal of women as sex toys and leaves viewer with no moral message, I would disagree, as the film does delivers a moral message that rapid success can cause an individual to develop narcissistic behavior, which eventually leads to destruction and the financial message that will be helpful in investments business.
Firstly, what is exactly narcissism? The word ‘narcissism’ was derived from an ancient Greek myth of Narcissus. Narcissus was depicted as a handsome young man who adored his looks very much. Many young maidens fell in love with him but he criticizes them for being too ugly for him. One day, he fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. However, he accidentally drowned himself as he tried to touch his reflection. Hence, the word ‘narcissism’ is usually depicted as a personality that reflects excessive of self-love on oneself. Individuals who are narcissistic are usually described as somebody who is selfish, snobbish or proud. This is because narcissistic individual processes information obtained differently than others. They believe that they deserve more than others since they think they are more superior in every aspect. Due to their sense of grandiosity, they will do anything in order t...
In conclusion, the diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder is applied to McMurphy because he has at least five out of the nine symptoms recorded by the DSM-IV: 1) overstated feel of self-importance 2) Fixation with delusions of boundless success, power, and brilliance 3) Believes the individual is “special” and can only associate with high-class, superior people 4) Has a sense of entitlement 5) Requires too much admiration 6) Lacks empathy 7) Uses others to get the individuals selfish end goals 8) Often envious of people and has a false idea that people are envious of him 9) Displays patronizing attitudes around people. Also, his choice of staying in a mental facility proves to serve as protection from social rejection. The NPD of McMurphy proves to be exemplified throughout the film by means of overtly perilous behaviors and attitudes.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental disorder that is considered to be an impairment in personality functioning, the presence of pathological traits, lack of empathy for others and a need for admiration. This type of personality disorder has some related disorders such as antisocial behaviors, interpersonal exploitation and envy. According to Luo, Cai, & Song (2014), “Narcissism refers to a kind of abundant self-love, characterized by a series of characteristic including self-desire for admiration, fantasies of superiority, hypersensitivity to criticism, exploitation of people, and lack of empathy for others” (p. 1). There have been ongoing discussions on how this type of behavior is processed in the brain. It is not clearly known
Abnormal psychology may be somewhat rare to catch a glimpse of in public vicinity. However, in motion pictures, numerous upon numerous forms and subtype examples of abnormal psychological disorders are perceived. As for my film of choice, I have selected Girl Interrupted. The 1999 picture features lead actress Winona Ryder, who plays the role of Susanna Kaysen, a soon-to-be patient at an exclusive mental hospital, with costar Angelina Jolie, who takes on the role of a maddened, wound up sociopath. Encased within the film, Susanna Kaysen displays the signs and symptoms of a woman with borderline personality disorder.
Horney’s theory focuses on neurosis and the ideal self of the individual. Her theory plays an important role in the development of an individuals personality and can be applied to the film Precious directed by Lee Daniels. The film is based on an African-American teenager girl who lives in Harlem with her abusive and ruthless mother as well as the mothers revolting boyfriend. The role of the mother plays a significant role in Precious’ personality development and will be discussed further in the essay with regard to Horney and the following aspects of; social and cultural conditions, basic anxiety and basic evil, neurotic needs, coping strategies and the ideal self vs the despised self.
An Introduction to Theories of Personality. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. Rubins, Jack L. (1978). "The Species of the Karen Horney: Gentle Rebel Psychoanalysis. New York: The Dial Press.
Robbins & Judge (2009) describe narcissism as an individual “who has a grandiose sense of self-importance, requires excessive admiration, has a sense of entitlement, and is arrogant.” Poet Tony Hoagland brought up a valid observation in the textbook about the American culture
Popular films are replete with characters that possess symptoms indicating severe psychological disorders. In the film “The Machinist”, the main character displays many symptoms, indicating more than one disorder. This essay will discuss the character’s background, symptoms, and actions in order to attempt to provide an appropriate psychological diagnosis. It is important to remember that filmmakers do not strictly follow the criteria found within the DSM, but any diagnosis found within this essay will be as accurate as possible.