Tag: Idealization

Narcissist’s Idealization in Grandiosity Bubble

Sam Vaknin explained the concept of grandiosity bubbles as defensive fantasy constructs narcissists create to maintain an inflated self-image and avoid confronting reality, especially during transitions between sources of narcissistic supply. These bubbles serve as temporary, protective isolations where the narcissist can recover from narcissistic injury without experiencing humiliation or collapse, contrasting with more stable shared fantasies maintained in pathological narcissistic spaces. The grandiosity bubble ultimately dissolves without harm, enabling the narcissist to resume their manipulative cycles of idealization, devaluation, and exploitation.

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Is There Good Narcissism? (The Nerve with Maureen Callahan)

The speaker discussed the concept of narcissism, emphasizing that a certain degree of narcissism is natural and necessary for healthy self-esteem, but can become pathological and harmful. They explained the narcissist’s behavior, awareness of their impact, and the dynamic of the “fantastic space” or fantasy world narcissists create to manipulate their victims, highlighting the transition from idealization to devaluation. The conversation also covered the challenges in treating narcissistic personality disorder and the psychological effects on victims, concluding that awareness often arises when the narcissist’s idealization phase abruptly shifts to devaluation.

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