10 Examples of Narcissistic and Psychopathic Fantasy

This video answers the questions: Can I discuss the fantasies associated with personality pathology, especially narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders? Can provide some examples of different types of personality disordered fantasies?

Narcissism:

There are two types of narcissism: With grandiose narcissism we see characteristics like being extroverted, socially bold, self-confident, having a superficial charm, being resistant to criticism, and being callous and unemotional. Vulnerable narcissism is characterized by shame, anger, aggression, hypersensitivity, a tendency to be introverted, defensive, avoidant, anxious, depressed, socially awkward, and shy.

Narcissistic personality disorder is a Cluster B personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. It has nine symptom criteria, five of which are required for a diagnosis.

1: Grandiose sense of self-importance
2: Fantasies
3: Special or unique
4: Requires excessive admiration
5: Sense of entitlement
6: Manipulative
7: Lacks empathy for others
8: Often envious
9: Arrogant attitudes or behaviors

Raskin, R., & Novacek, J. (1991). Narcissism and the use of fantasy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 490–499.

Cowan-Jenssen, S., & Goodison, L. (2009). Narcissism: fragile bodies in a fragile world. Psychotherapy and Politics International, 7(2), 81–94. doi:10.1002/ppi.187

Baum, H. S. (1992). Mentoring: Narcissistic Fantasies and Oedipal Realities. Human Relations, 45(3), 223–245. doi:10.1177/001872679204500301

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[bitterapple]

I find it quite sad that so many people, with or without a personality disorder (myself included) daydream about the same things: being accepted, loved, safe, getting back at bullies or finding the perfect love who would cherish and protect us. It's so human.

[NeiZaMo]

Every single morning I fantasize about being able to snooze an hour longer and to just materialize at work fully dressed and groomed with a cup of coffee in my hand the moment my shift starts.

[debsabatino]

So weird that the same people who lack empathy, actually fantasize about getting it from other people.

[TheNightWatcher]

I have many mental disorders. I’ve always lived with a dull but constant feeling of being flawed, incomplete, and imprisoned. My biggest fantasy is to just be normal. To be free from my own mind. To outwardly manifest who I feel I truly am inside.

[trulydisappointed]

My favourite thing about your videos are the moments when you can barely keep a straight face and you smile slightly while continuing to explain the topic at hand

[Censeo]

I have a fantasy about going back in time to when I started school. I would have a little boy body, but my current experience and knowledge. Teachers would be amazed. Classmates would be intimidated. After a few years they realize I should go to college by say 11. It feels like I have wasted my opportunities in life so this would give me not only a second chance, but with the odds of success on my side

[kenzie]

People are truly complex human beings.... The more I explore myself and behavior, the more I see how complex a human being really is. Self love really is the basis to understanding others in an objective fashion.

[emmafromnarrowboatzerograv]

As a writer and a survivor of an NPD ex partner I found this really interesting. There were a surprising number of romance novel tropes in those fantasies!

[benabr]

Number 4 is interesting. What some people don’t realize is that even if you become famous, sometimes people who rejected you as a friend or even had a dislike for you, that their dislike might grow even bigger for you because you became famous.

[StormKillzone]

so many personality disorders that you start to wonder whether if anybody is actually 100% sane. Or maybe people with personality disorders are sane but are viewed as insane when they are given a certain lable.

[misssusan]

Thank you for your work. One of the best channels on YouTube

[averagebodybuilder]

And I thought my fantasy of getting back to body building was asking for too much.

[anomalousoddity]

"When talking about specific fantasies that I have become aware of, information has been changed to protect the INNOCENT." You are so very humane. With you it's always in the small, very fleeting details - how you talk about people with mental health issues, and how you never, ever judge - shown in your very precise choice of words. Words are extremely powerful.

[beccajaye]

This is fascinating. My ex had a lot of these fantasies. He especially latched on to the "chosen one" fantasy, as he believed that he was superior and special. He thought he had dreams and visions that told him he was specially selected for some divine destiny where he would be a hero to the world. He used this fantasy to demand respect. His fantasies really reached out into some very bizarre realms. He had both Narcissistic and Sociopathic traits.

[FairyCowLAD]

As a child I had a very strong "ghost kingdom" fantasy. I think it was a result of abandonment, abuse, and severe ptsd. I'm in a very healthy mental state these days but still dream about the ghost kingdom occassionally. I love your content so much!!

[keithbrunson]

This was so well articulated, I am overwhelmed with the detail.

[jennmanea]

Your videos bring peace to victims who are dealing with people with these delusional fantasies

[irismiddaugh]

It definitely is not a healthy thing to fall into fantasies, but I can also imagine how excruciating the pain must be for humans to scape somehow from reality into a "comforting" fantacy. This information wakes up in me more compassion, awareness and empowerment at the same time. Much appreciation for sharing your knowledge Dr. Grande. 💖👍

[Anon-bmcp]

I think one of my favorite and most comforting fantasies is being able to change shape and escape daily life. Sometimes I turn into a bird and fly away for a bit, resting from a safe distance. Sometimes I turn into a spider and hide around my workplaces, close to other people so I can still feel company, but also unnoticed and quietly snuggled away so I can still feel safe.

This was really interesting because it made me think about why I find a small, silly fantasy like that comforting. I'm pretty anxious--turning into an unassuming animal and watching from afar makes me feel like I'm part of something while also existing in a comfortable, predictable bubble.

[RowanWhite]

I feel awkward now! I’ve had variations of most of the fantasy types cited, but I also understand that they’re just that–fantasies and not rooted in anything actually based in reality. I’m as solidly average as the next person.

I was a very lonely and incredibly anxious kid and teen, so I honestly chalk it up to that.