Is It Better To Be A Narcissist?! | Russell Brand

Narcissists might have "grandiose" delusions about their own importance and an absence of "shame" - but psychologists say they are also likely to be happier than most people.

Dr Papageorgiou's research with 700 adults suggests even though it might be bad for society, it seems to be beneficial for individual narcissists.

They have lower levels of stress and are less likely to see life as stressful - with their self-confidence and heightened sense of self-importance appearing to be "protective" qualities.

But is this just a sign that out culture rewards individualism over the collective good? What do you think?

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[pauldarlington]

I used to be a narcissist, but I got over it and now I'm perfect.

[Dweebatheart]

Our culture Rewards narcissism, and dismisses compassionate culture towards the whole.

[zulphur]

NO! NO! I had a girlfriend who suffered from narcissistic personality disorder it's toxic and damaging in ways you don't want to know.

[rebeccawhite]

Having been raised by a narc mother, it set me up for every narc man in my life there after. I finished a 10yr relationship with one in the last year. Russell is not it!! Being self absorbed and self aware are two different things. It takes a lot to recover one’s Self after an experience like this, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. And yes culture is rewarding this behavior and it frankly makes me ill when I see it!

[PowerMatrixAnime]

It's not better because Narcissism stems from immense insecurity.

[janettejack]

I'm convinced that Narcissism has a spectrum and we all sit on that spectrum. Some people are higher up then others.

[amycheryl]

Narcissism stems from deep shame - it might appear that no shame is present but it’s a mask. Narcissism is born from complex trauma.

[JayDog]

A world without love and empathy will never survive.

[themobbit]

Russell you kind of nailed it in your conclusion about a “narcissist” causing harm. I’m a psychotherapist who has expertise in this personality disorder, have written workshops, therapy and support group for victims. We all may have some narcissistic traits, and a low level can even be healthy, but what makes Narcissistic Personality Disorder (and other PD’s in the cluster) harmful is the severe disconnect from emotional connection which causes lack of empathy, insight, and remorse, and therefore conscience. So while a “narcissist” can be an upstanding successful citizen, anyone who gets too close to them will be at the very least be emotionally abused, definitely controlled, and this has no ability for resolution. It is quite destructive. Its incidence appears to be growing.

[micahyang]

ya'll narcissism is a diagnosable disorder, it's not just "being self centered"

[TeraMangala]

The more you recognize the immense good within you, the more you magnetize immense good around you.

[menodlf]

It's great to be a narcissist in terms of what society will give you, like jobs, status, abundance of women. But in terms of personal development and your soul, being a narcissist is egotistical poison.

[debfletcher]

Having a mother who is one, and a narcissistic ex husband I was married to for 20 years - they seem unable to feel happiness and find no contentment with life. They have no meaningful connection with others or themselves, are distraught on their own, minds full of chaos. They do untold damage to both themselves and their targets, emotional vampires. I can see no benefits of being narcissistic.

[serbistheherol]

I have experienced a lot of narcissistic people in my life. From enemies, friends, and even family. I even notice some narcissistic traits in myself.

The thing is though narcissists are much more prevalent now than before. They’re sad individuals incapable of being able to love and selflessness. They love and crave attention and the reverence of their legacy. If they don’t get their desired result, they will try to abuse and destroy that individual until they do. And even then it wouldn’t be enough. A narcissist is an insatiable black hole and even the universe isn’t enough for them.

[teresajanesykes]

I dont think Narcs are happy. I think they dont really feel good or bad feelings. They are jealous of real happiness and relationships

[lotoreo]

I think on the other hand, narcissist are happier simply because they don't feel guilty all the time. In other words, people by and large are suffering from too much shame and guilt

[gurudra]

A person who cannot love himself, cannot love anyone else . the first ripple of love has to rise in your heart and then spread

[Rosko_de_Soul]

This society was built on narcissism...great topic!

[randomelvis]

I think some people on here are confusing Narcissism with Narcissist... although it’s the same route explanation, a Narcissist is someone that has subconsciously learned a set of survival skills that are majorly toxic and they are solely focussed on this for survival as at a deep level there is childhood trauma, those that get caught up in relationships are of a codependent nature so need to form/learn healthy boundaries...I’ve a top tip: If you experience 3 WTF’s get out, and maintain no contact!!
Russ isn’t a Narc..🙄 he can be a lovely ego clown like we all can just what this channel is doing proves he is a giver of love....cheers Russ 👍

[KarlRKaiser]

Consider the myth of Narcissus: Narcissus was so enamored of his own reflection that he never noticed Echo standing beside him, who loved him. He didn't even realize that his reflection was himself - it was just an alluring image.

So Narcissus did not know himself - in the cringey paradoxical manner that egotists are often the least self-aware, and he was incapable of giving or receiving true love.

Is that "better" than the self-knowledge and loving relationships that comes when we "look up" from the ego and engage with others?