ABSTRACT
This chapter offers many varying theoretical approaches. Although different in styles, methodology, and approaches, all have compatibility with the narcissistic personality disorders. Sigmund Freud initially referred to narcissism as the state of self-directed libido, after the Greek legend of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image. Freud’s ego is an intrapsychic one, mainly an instinctual drive theory between life and death instincts. Heinz Kohut views narcissism as a stage of development. He depicts a more highly developed narcissist whose primary and normal narcissistic phases are virtually unattended to at the phase-appropriate time. Kohut believed in the patient’s subjective truth, whereas Wilfred Bion believed the patient lies and distorts truth. For Bion, the worst crime is the avoidance of truth, knowledge, and curiosity. Donald Fairbairn’s contribution, more than anyone else, is significant in understanding why people stay in painful conflictual relationships, forever attached to a painful, bad internal object.
