ABSTRACT
In order to describe the phenomena called ‘narcissistic disturbances’ as completely as possible, we need, in practice, three points of reference. First, there is the question of which attributes are significant in allowing us to recognize these disturbances, i.e. we need to define the observational criteria at the basis of their diagnosis. The second point concerns the empathy we require in order to understand the inner world of narcissistically wounded people. Third, we should try and explain the psychodynamic context of the disturbances and their mode of formation within the individual’s life. In the following, each of these three questions will be addressed separately, but the discussion obviously cannot claim to be exhaustive.
