Thin-skinned or vulnerable narcissism and thick skinned narcissism or great

similarities and differences

Authors

  • Mónica Eidlin
  • Ricardo Bernardi

Keywords:

narcissism, clinical material, transference, contratransference, diagnosis, psychoanalytic technique, synthetic function, shame

Abstract

This paper explores two types of narcissism and their psychopathological implications: thin-skinned or vulnerable narcissism and the thick-skinned or grandiose narcissism. Current literature on this subject is considered, stating the names and characteristics with which each of them were described. Clinical vignettes are presented for both types of narcissism and similarities and differences among them, as well as other related factors are analyzed. The importance of experiences of shame and humiliation are underlined. Based on these comparisons, the psychodynamic mechanisms at stake are examined in both cases, especially their relation with the levels of mental functioning. It is concluded that both thin-skinned and thick-skinned narcissism constitute failed forms of facing the difficult articulation between self-affirmation and the acknowledgement of the other.

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Author Biographies

  • Mónica Eidlin

    Miembro asociado de la Asociación Psicoanalítica del Uruguay. 

  • Ricardo Bernardi

    Miembro pleno de Asociación Psicoanalítica del Uruguay. Profesor Emértio de la Facultad de Medicina.

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Published

2016-01-01

How to Cite

Thin-skinned or vulnerable narcissism and thick skinned narcissism or great: similarities and differences. (2016). Revista Uruguaya De Psicoanálisis, 123, 75-103. http://publicaciones.apuruguay.org/index.php/rup/article/view/207