Dorian Gray

Ever been out with someone that speaks only about themselves but can be charming at times, too?  He or she can turn on the charm and turn on you like Dr. Jekyl and Mr Hyde?  Mmmm...I think you may have been dating Dorian Gray.

Narcissists are like vampires.  They charm you like a vampire.  They seduce you.  And then they suck you dry and throw you away.  It is all about them and their self aggrandized image of themselves.  And, they don't even realise that they are completely out of touch with reality.

I've found myself today involved again with Dorian Gray in yet another male form.  Thank God I saw it now.  In the past, I've gotten sucked in for years.  Ok, this took awhile to see, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he is socially awkward but fundamentally kind and genuinely warm.  No.  Socially awkward? Maybe not.  Not giving a toss about anyone but himself is more likely.  Not that he realises this, of course.  Narcissists see themselves as great guys or great gals with exceptional talents that put themselves well above the parapet.  They are completely unaware that they are pathological.

Sad thing is, this narcissistic wound comes from a lack of mirroring in childhood.  A lack of love and nuruting and mirroring to develop the child's sense of self.  It is a tragedy of his childhood.  And the sadder thing is....as far as I have read...there is little prognosis for effective cure of a narcissistic personality disorder.

Dorian Gray is a tragic character and his fundamental fear of rejection tears at my heart strings.  But one best kept at a distance.