Is everyone just thinking about themselves now? Let's talk about Narcissism

Do you sometimes feel that people these days, especially those on social media , only think about themselves and make themselves look good? It's like there's a wave of "me", "my achievements", "my life" everywhere, isn't it? Looking at TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, it seems like the trend is to show the world every little detail of your life. Some people call this a 'Nazism epidemic'. So are we all becoming more and more selfish and self-centered? Let's talk about this a little deeper.

Simply put, what is narcissism?

Simply put, narcissism is a mental state in which one believes that one is "more special than others, that one's own needs are above all else," and that one values ​​oneself excessively. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing. Having a little self-confidence and pride in oneself is good for life. But it is when this becomes too much that problems arise.

This condition is on a spectrum that varies from person to person. Those at the higher end of the spectrum, between 1% and 6% of the population, may have a mental illness called Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) .

This Nazi behavior can be seen in two main ways. To understand this, see the table below.

How did we get here?

Researchers say there are several reasons for this increase. One is the "self-esteem movement" that began in Western countries in the 1970s. Children were told from a young age that "you are special" and "you can do anything." While this was well-intentioned, sometimes it led to an artificially inflated, selfish mindset rather than increasing children's abilities. Research has even found that when parents "over-evaluate" their children, that is, when they praise them more than their abilities are worth, children adopt those same ideas and develop narcissistic traits.

Then, with the advent of reality TV shows and the rise of social media, this situation changed even more. It became common to publicly display everything about one's personal life, take selfies, and focus on one's appearance.

That means, the number of people who are actually Nazism in society may not have increased. But their voice and influence have increased a lot because of social media . So we see that everyone is like that.

What is the real impact of social media?

Social media is a place for people with narcissistic traits. Research has shown that people with high narcissistic traits spend more time on social media, post more frequently, have more friends, and are more likely to become addicted to social media.

But the effect this has on others is dangerous.

• Comparison and Anxiety : The feeling of being sad and anxious about your own life when you look at the "filtered" and seemingly happy lives of others. We also call this FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
• Mental health issues: This constant comparison has led to an increase in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among young people.
• Body dysmorphia: The "perfect" bodies seen on social media have become a major cause of the rise in body dysmorphia, a condition in which young girls and boys are overly concerned about their physical appearance and imagine flaws that they don't have.

What Happens to "Vulnerable Narcissists"

Social media is a very difficult place for "Vulnerable Narcissists." They see "Grandiose Narcissists" celebrating their success and posting beautiful photos, and they feel jealous and angry that they don't get the same recognition. This has a very negative impact on their mental health.

Another sad thing is that parents share their children's every move, every little thing from the day they are born, on social media. It is a serious question how the consequences of displaying everything to the world without giving any space to the child's privacy will affect the child in the future.

So, what do we do about this?

This may sound scary to you. But there's good news. Research shows that as we get older, as we take on more responsibilities (marriage, children), and as we face setbacks in life, narcissism naturally decreases. This is because we are forced to think about others more than ourselves.

However, if you or someone you know is suffering from this condition, there are a few things you can do.

• Limit your social media use: Be mindful of your and your children's social media use. Always remember that not everything you see is true, and that it is a place that only shows the best in people's lives.
• Listen to your inner radar: When talking to someone, if you sense that they are talking too much about themselves, putting others down, or not caring about their feelings, recognize those "narcissism vibes." If possible, gently distance yourself from such people.
• Seek professional advice: People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) rarely admit they have a problem. That's why they rarely seek treatment. However, if you feel that you have these characteristics in your own behavior, or that someone with narcissistic traits is affecting your mental health, it's important to not be ashamed and seek advice from a qualified doctor or mental health counselor. It's the best thing you can do for yourself.

Narcissism, Mental Health, Selfish, Social Media, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Depression