#3 The Need for Admiration
When they observe someone else succeeding, looking well, or drawing attention, narcissists become envious. They typically find it intolerable because they want people to idolize them. Therefore, they often steal other people’s thunder or engage in exploitative behavior in an attempt to impress the audience.
Nevertheless, this kind of manipulation has the covert goal of winning admiration. To overcome any self-doubt, the narcissist needs constant affirmation.
Contrarily, psychopaths do not seek attention, validation, or praise. If they are abusive, it is only to benefit themselves or for amusement.
2 Responses
Very good article! I am a mother of a daughter who from birth exhibited very unusual behavior. BY the time she was 3 y/o the highly respected nursery school she attended called me in for an interview. She was very concerned that my daughter was ‘extremely manipulative’ and would cause problems even in my marriage. She was right and my daughter continued to hurt people with no concern for the hurt she caused them. I took her to therapists but she new exactly how to behave properly so her mental health was left for me to deal with. My discipline was never effective. When I asked her one time if she had learned to reason for it she merely stated that ‘she would do it the same way all over again’. I am glad I never used physical discipline as I surmised it would encourage her to become physically abusive. As an adult she did punch a hole in a wall when arguing with a boyfriend and attempted to strike a puppy for peeing on the floor. I was there and protected the puppy but do not know how she was when I was not around. I finally told her at age 38 that I could no longer accept her damaging me, lying about me and enjoying the pain she caused me. I told her I would no longer communicate with her. I thought (hoped) she would apologize for all the hurt she caused me but I never heard from her again. That was 20 years ago! I have and never did have a daughter. She never loved me or showed me love in any way. I cannot deny that I have cried many tears over her. a true psychopath, and I pray for the Lord to heal her. I am 79 years old and disabled but I have no child to love me. I am not the only person she has hurt. So many have been attacked by her in numerous ways. She denies and laughs at what she has done. My mother’s heart aches for the baby that never loved me—ever.
It was very informative 👍. Thank you