Spiritual Narcissism

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Heart2Soul

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no. I stated twice that it is not mental illness. It used to be classified as Axis II
You said it used to be a personality disorder which is not mental illness...
A disorder is a mental illness...
Ex: Anorexia Nervosa:
An eating disorder causing people to obsess about weight and what they eat.
Anorexia is characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight.

Here is a link that gives a list of mental illnesses:
Do I Have A Mental Illness? 28 Mental Disorders And Their Symptoms | Betterhelp
 
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You said it used to be a personality disorder which is not mental illness...
A disorder is a mental illness...
Ex: Anorexia Nervosa:
An eating disorder causing people to obsess about weight and what they eat.
Anorexia is characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight.

Here is a link that gives a list of mental illnesses:
Do I Have A Mental Illness? 28 Mental Disorders And Their Symptoms | Betterhelp

you might want Google "personality disorder" or "Axis II"
Anorexia Nervosa is a mental disorder (Axis I), but not a personality disorder (Axis II)
Narcissism (NPD) is an Axis II classification and therefore not a mental disorder - legally, it has never been a defense, nor do insurance companies pay to treat it.

However, narcissistic traits may be a symptom of other mental disorders.
 

Heart2Soul

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you might want Google "personality disorder" or "Axis II"
Anorexia Nervosa is a mental disorder (Axis I), but not a personality disorder (Axis II)
Narcissism (NPD) is an Axis II classification and therefore not a mental disorder - legally, it has never been a defense, nor do insurance companies pay to treat it.

However, narcissistic traits may be a symptom of other mental disorders.
The axis model used by psychiatric researchers and studies is to classify a mental illness under a sub-category in order to help psychiatry to be more accurate in their diagnosis of a patient and their mental illness/disorder.
Changes With DSM-5
When the fifth edition, the DSM-5, was compiled, it was determined that there was no scientific basis for dividing the disorders in this manner, so the multi-axial system was done away with. Instead, the new non-axial diagnosis combines the former Axes I, II and III and include separate notations for the type of information which would have previously fallen into Axes IV and V.
 
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The axis model used by psychiatric researchers and studies is to classify a mental illness under a sub-category in order to help psychiatry to be more accurate in their diagnosis of a patient and their mental illness/disorder.
Changes With DSM-5
When the fifth edition, the DSM-5, was compiled, it was determined that there was no scientific basis for dividing the disorders in this manner, so the multi-axial system was done away with. Instead, the new non-axial diagnosis combines the former Axes I, II and III and include separate notations for the type of information which would have previously fallen into Axes IV and V.

Interesting! I will have to look into this
 
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marks

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The axis model used by psychiatric researchers and studies is to classify a mental illness under a sub-category in order to help psychiatry to be more accurate in their diagnosis of a patient and their mental illness/disorder.
Changes With DSM-5
When the fifth edition, the DSM-5, was compiled, it was determined that there was no scientific basis for dividing the disorders in this manner, so the multi-axial system was done away with. Instead, the new non-axial diagnosis combines the former Axes I, II and III and include separate notations for the type of information which would have previously fallen into Axes IV and V.
And it was about time! It just seems to me all of these things are combinations of overlapping spectrums. So no two are alike. But there are common themes.

Much love!
 
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charity

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My wife and I have worked with the disadvantaged for many years, and over those years we've seen various mental, emotional, and personality disorders, including Narcisistic Personality Disorder. NPD is not being fond of your reflection, it is a progressive and dangerous disease.

I've recently heard the term, Spiritual Narcissism.

From an article in the Vancouver Sun:

Spiritual narcissism works in subtle ways | Vancouver Sun

“Simply stated, spiritual narcissism is the unconscious use of spiritual practice, experience, and insight to increase rather than decrease self-importance,” May writes in Will and Spirit.

Spiritual narcissism infiltrates our egos when we start to identify with “trying to become holy,” said May, who treated addicts before he began supervising ecumenical spiritual directors at the Shalem Institute in Washington, D.C.

Spiritual narcissism, May said, “makes the spiritual quest a self-aggrandizing process rather than a journey of deepening humility.”

The fact is, people have reasons for acting as they do. In some cases, this may have something to do with it. Just some food for thought.


Much love!
Hello @marks,

Interesting. I believe Romans 8 is the antidote to this. The knowledge that we have died with Christ, been buried, quickened, and raised with Him to walk in newness of life before the Father. There can be no narcissistic thinking when this has been acknowledged.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
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GodsBeloved11

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The Narcissist looks at others and sees "supply". Everything from the cash to buy a bigger TV, to the affirmation that they truly are the top of the heap!

Narcissistic Personality Disorder describes the person who sees themself very disconnected from others, as no one else shares their exalted level. Which is self-deception, because at heart the Narcissist believes they are actually so bad that the only way they can have their needs met by others is to manipulate them.

A healthy self image is, I think, like what you've described, one whom God created, in a world of His creation, surrounded by people of His creation.

The Narcissist does not share this sense of worth, instead feeding from others, and their ability to make them say or do or act in ways they normally would not. Or to take advantage of their normal and healthy behavior.

The healthy person will assume that they are having a rational discussion, meanwhile the narcissist is setting them up for _________ (whatever their particular thing is). So while you're busy being real, and trying to be useful and helpful, the narcissist is trying to hook you, and reel you in.

Much love!


Personality disorders are an expression of complex trauma or attachment issues. The wounds behind the disease need healing .
 

Curtis

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My wife and I have worked with the disadvantaged for many years, and over those years we've seen various mental, emotional, and personality disorders, including Narcisistic Personality Disorder. NPD is not being fond of your reflection, it is a progressive and dangerous disease.

I've recently heard the term, Spiritual Narcissism.

From an article in the Vancouver Sun:

Spiritual narcissism works in subtle ways | Vancouver Sun

“Simply stated, spiritual narcissism is the unconscious use of spiritual practice, experience, and insight to increase rather than decrease self-importance,” May writes in Will and Spirit.

Spiritual narcissism infiltrates our egos when we start to identify with “trying to become holy,” said May, who treated addicts before he began supervising ecumenical spiritual directors at the Shalem Institute in Washington, D.C.

Spiritual narcissism, May said, “makes the spiritual quest a self-aggrandizing process rather than a journey of deepening humility.”

The fact is, people have reasons for acting as they do. In some cases, this may have something to do with it. Just some food for thought.


Much love!

Scripture says avoiding sexual and other sins is our sanctification.

If obeying scripture is trying to be holy, then we are required to try to live a holy life, and we should all be guilty of it.

2Co 7:1Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.


1Pe 1:14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,


1Pe 1:15but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,


1Pe 1:16since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”



Eph 4:17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.


Eph 4:18They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.


Eph 4:19They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.


Eph 4:20But that is not the way you learned Christ!—


Eph 4:21assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,


Eph 4:22to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,


Eph 4:23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,


Eph 4:24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.



Eph 5:1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.


Eph 5:2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.


Eph 5:3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.


Eph 5:4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.


Eph 5:5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


Eph 5:6Let no one deceive you with empty words,for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


Eph 5:7Therefore do not become partakers with them.



Heb 12:14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.


Heb 12:15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;


Heb 12:1624and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Not like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.


Heb 12:17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.



2Pe 3:11Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,


1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, YOUR SANCTIFICATION: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

1Th 4:4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

1Th 4:5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1Th 4:6 that no one transgress and wrong his BROTHER in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly WARNED you.

1Th 4:7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

1Th 4:8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.



2Pe 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.



Note: without spot, and blameless…] The words are nearly identical with those which describe the character of Christ as “a lamb without blemish and without spot” in 1Pe 1:19,


They who expect the coming of Christ should be like Him in their lives, and be without spot, as James confirms:



James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.


Do you get the idea we are called, expected, and required to lo live righteously, yet?


Shalom Aleichem
 
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marks

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If obeying scripture is trying to be holy, then we are required to try to live a holy life, and we should all be guilty of it.
That was a part of the quote that gave me pause also. But I wanted to post the complete quote.

In the Narcissist, I think it would be better phrased as "wanting to see themself as holy or righteous" by comparing themself with others whom they denigrate. So the person with NPD denigrates a person, then says to themself, see! I'm better than that! It's all fantasy, because they never really see the other person, only their projected negative image.

I agree with you very much, let us all be eternally guilty of trying to be holy!

Much love!
 
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