The Depressive Narcissist
Many scholars think about pathological narcissism to be a type of depressive illness. This is the position of the authoritative magazine "Psychology Today". The life of the typical narcissist is, for sure, punctuated with frequent bouts of dysphoria (ubiquitous sadness and hopelessness), anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure) and clinical forms of depression (cyclothymic, dysthymic, or other). This image is further obfuscated by the frequent presence of mood disorders, such as Bipolar I (comorbidity). Although the difference between reactive (exogenous) and endogenous depression is outdated, it is still helpful in the context of narcissism. Narcissists respond with depression not just to life crises but to fluctuations in Narcissistic Supply. The personality of a depressive narcissist is disorganized and precariously balanced. He normalizes his sense of self-worth when consuming Narcissistic Supply from others. Any threat to the uninterrupted flow of said supply compromises his psychological integrity and his ability to operate. It is perceived by the narcissist as life threatening. I. Loss Induced Dysphoria This is the narcissist's depressive response to the loss of one or more Sources of Narcissistic Supply - or to the disintegration of a Pathological Narcissistic Space (PN Space, his stalking or hunting grounds, the social unit whose members lavish him with attention). II. Deficiency Induced Dysphoria Deep and acute depression following the above mentioned losses of Supply Sources or a PN Space. Having mourned these losses, the narcissist now grieves their unavoidable result - the absence or deficiency of Narcissistic Supply. Strangely enough, this dysphoria energizes the narcissist and moves him to find new Sources of Supply to replenish his dilapidated stock (as a result starting a Narcissistic Cycle). III. Self-Worth Dysregulation Dysphoria The narcissist responds with depression to criticism or disagreement, particularly from a trusted and long-term Source of Narcissistic Supply. He fears the forthcoming loss of the source and the damage to his own, fragile, mental balance. The narcissist also resents his vulnerability and his extreme dependence on feedback from others. This type of depressive response is, thus, a mutation of self-directed aggression. IV. Grandiosity Gap Dysphoria The narcissist's determinedly, although counterfactually, perceives himself as omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, brilliant, achieved, irresistible, invulnerable, and invincible. Any data to the opposite is generally filtered, modified, or discarded altogether. Yet, sometimes reality will break in and produce a Grandiosity Gap. The narcissist is forced to face his mortality, limitations, ignorance, and relative inferiority. He sulks and sinks into a debilitating but short-lived dysphoria. V. Self-Punishing Dysphoria Deep inside, the narcissist hates himself and doubts his own worth. He would deplore his desperate addiction to Narcissistic Supply. He will be judging his actions and intentions cruelly and sadistically. He might not be aware of these dynamics, but they are at the heart of the narcissistic disorder and the cause for the narcissist needing to turn to narcissism as a defense mechanism to begin with. This vast well of ill will, self-chastisement, self-doubt, and self-directed aggression yields numerous self-defeating and self-destructive behaviors – anywhere from reckless driving and substance abuse to suicidal ideation and constant depression. It is the narcissist's ability to confabulate that can save him from himself. His grandiose fantasies take him out of reality and prevent recurrent narcissistic injuries. A lot of narcissists wind up delusional, schizoid, or paranoid. To stay away from agonizing and gnawing depression, they give up on life itself.
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