Narcissist Epidemic in India

Narcissism is a behavior that stretches back to 2000 years of Greek mythology. It was the story of Narcissus who fell in love with his reflection, a great example of intense self-obsession. Later on, in psychology, Sigmund Freud showered light on ego and self-perception creating a narcissistic personality. In today’s world, narcissism is a personality trait often turned into Narcissistic Personality Disorder with signs like grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder(DSM).

Now, the basic characteristic of a narcissistic personality is the feeling of self superiority over others which then affects people around them negatively. Pathological or negative narcissism often develops manipulative and emotional disregards as behaviors. They manipulate people with ease, exploiting relationships without feeling any guilt or empathy. The main reason for such overconfidence is the deep insecurities and self-esteem they hold. Moreover, a narcissistic personality demands constant admiration, praise, validation, and attention from others. Things get worse when their demands aren't satisfied and as a result, they fall into disastrous habits like self-abuse, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety attacks.

In a highly populated country like India, narcissism has prevailed for so long but has never been the talk of the center due to negligence and lack of awareness. But in recent years, it's marked that there has been a hike in increasing narcissistic personality disorder from 2% to 16% in clinical settings. The most affected age group is particularly the younger generations who are in their 20s. Men are seen to be more prone than women. The sudden rise in NPD is also related to social media influences, socio-cultural shifts, and individualism. NPD further leads to high rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in this age group, with young women being particularly vulnerable.

Why narcissism is increasing in India

Indian parenting style: In India, gender discrimination still prevails even on negligible terms. Treating boys before girls, always fulfilling their demands, and ignoring their mistakes subconsciously develops the feeling of superiority which then becomes a habit. Similarly, single-child families or avoidant parents develop narcissistic behaviors. On the other hand, neglectful parents fill the feelings of inadequacy in children which are carried with a narcissistic defense mechanism.

Male-Centric Society of India: Indian men, as a result of a conservative and male-dominated society, have developed narcissistic traits for generations. Statements like, “Men don't cry”, and” Be a man”, women objectifying songs, sexist humor and constant pressure to follow certain sets of dominating rules have induced narcissistic behaviors. This often results in a lack of empathy and an inflated sense of self-worth among men, while women and children are expected to submit, enabling this dynamic.

Changes in Modern Society: As people are adopting Westernization by focusing on economic growth, modernization, and urbanization, there has been a drop in cultural values and society. The obsession with self-growth or craving for materialistic things has eradicated the sense of morality, generosity, and compromise for others. Thus, individuals follow up on unhealthy competition which boosts narcissistic tendencies.

Social Media Influence: the daily consumption of social media content also influences behaviors. With the algorithms used on Instagram, Facebook, etc people are often shown the kind of content they admire, and thus self self-motivation or self-confidence gets changed into rigid narcissistic habits.

Moreover, people have developed the urge to get online validations through likes, followers, and views which further develops unhealthy self-obsession.

The rising interest in dark humor, roast cultures, trust issues, short-term relationships, etc contributes to a society where self-centered, sigma attitudes are glorified.

The pressure of being a celebrity: With the rise of the content creator or social media influencer as a profession, younger generations have also developed an urge to be one. The constant pressure to be successful through social media at a very young age demands lots and lots of online validation. Younger generations now feel pressured to have a supreme lifestyle to fit in society. The constant portrayal of perfect, glamorous lives leads to an obsession with appearance and social status, pushing people to seek validation through their online personas. This “fear of missing out” (FOMO) culture promotes superficiality which makes a person more prone to narcissistic behavior.

Consequences of narcissism

What being around a narcissistic person is like:

Constant manipulation and criticism can drain energy and cause stress.

Frequent belittling may result in diminished confidence and self-worth.

Lack of empathy and emotional abuse often lead to broken or strained relationships.

The unpredictability of their behavior can trigger mental health issues.

What being a narcissistic person is like

Narcissists often alienate others due to self-centeredness and lack of empathy.

Difficulty forming genuine connections leads to superficial and strained relationships.

Their tendency to exploit and manipulate can create workplace conflicts.

The constant need for validation may result in anxiety, depression, and burnout.

How to control the narcissist epidemic in India

Psychotherapy and Treatment: therapies like Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling sessions can help people with NPD to a great extent. Such therapies break down each problem one by one and change negative and narcissistic thought patterns into positive thoughts, further Medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics can manage symptoms.

Healthy relationships: love is the best medicine in narcissistic cases too. Having a loving and understanding partner by the side will subconsciously lead one to adopt their behavior. Therapy helps partners navigate challenges, express their feelings, and develop healthy boundaries.

Education and Awareness: people, even in this century are not aware of how dangerous narcissism could get. Promoting awareness about NPD in schools, workplaces, and communities can build up a positive mindset in conservative societies. Mental health campaigns and workshops can help people identify narcissistic behaviors and develop empathy.

Limited usage of social media: Young adults should understand the indirect effect of social media on their behavior. Developing a sense of empathy, love, and affection for the surroundings by being in touch with people offline or spending time with nature is essential.

Encourage Empathy: Teaching empathy through educational programs, therapy, and social interactions helps reduce narcissistic tendencies. Empathy builds healthy relationships and emotional well-being.

Conclusion:

Narcissism is a characteristic that people hold in general but it gets dangerous when narcissism becomes a narcissistic personality disorder or a set of behavior that affects oneself and others negatively. Being able to understand one’s behavior through introspection and treat it as soon as possible is the only way to control the rising narcissistic epidemic in India. Indian society has been known for ages because of its selfless and loving nature which should be conserved and promoted as it is also the way of living happily.