Let's face it, America, we're awesome. No level of debt or statistics about our education failures or health care costs can disprove that feeling that we all share; we're number one!!! Don't let measly things like facts distract you. It's time to launch the fireworks, gorge ourselves with consumption (only to purge moments later), and raise the banner proudly proclaiming, "America... FUCK YEAH!"
Ok, so it doesn't require much insight to notice that we're a frivolously proud nation, and many would argue that it is unpatriotic not to shameless tout our status as the world's last superpower. Even though this American exceptionalism may personally disconnect many us from the real struggles of the outside world, our pride is one of the few bonds that holds the American people together. Isn't it?
No, this is just another sad disillusionment we concoct to pamper our broken ego. The industrial military complex has gotten the best of us in a situation that's starting to look more and more like Vietnam Part Deux, we are only now recovery from a global economy triggered by a combination of corrupt capitalism and blind optimism in the markets, and our government no longer serves the people. But hey, we're America, so God will bless us, and we're destined to spread freedom and democracy to the world because we are holier than thou. Right?
Not only is our over-inflated ego heart-wrenching on a national level, it is a macrocosm for the privileged individualism that helps many people inflate their personal self-esteem. This form of elitism and self-worship, usually caused by self-loathing and perceived social shortcomings, causes many people to deny the reality of their environment and live within their own fantasy world. This has debilitating social and personal consequences and, coupled with its high prevalence, resulted in the creation of narcissistic personality disorder, a formal diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association to help therapists treat victims suffering from this problem.
(For more on the narcissism and its intrusion on our culture, check out my post about The Mirror Effect)
The diagnosis, along with several other personality disorders, quickly was scrutinized and attacked by clinicians and the public as a whole. It was argued that narcissism, while discouraging, failed to impair the daily life functions, and actually caused many celebrities and professionals of other industries to thrive because their narcissistic tendencies creates a "me versus the world" mentality which sparks competition within oneself. This perverse incentive was generating success, but also stripped individuals of satisfaction. However, it was argued that simply being discontent was not enough to diagnose someone with a mental illness when they were otherwise successful. More research needed to be done to understand the process and pathology of narcissism, and some mental health professionals felt that it was wrong to give someone a diagnosis for a personality that might be acceptable in certain cultures or social classes.
Knowing that it had been shrouded with controversy, I was not too surprised when I saw Elizabeth Currid-Halkett's blog post on the Wall Street Journal reporting that the DSM 5 will omit narcissistic personality disorder from the list of mental illnesses. Dr. Currid argues that it should be included in the study of abnormal psychology because of its common occurrences within our culture. Sadly, as a behavior becomes a predominant part of a culture, it becomes more difficult to consider it a disorder, but it may just be a consequence of institutionalization. Its as though the entertainment value of egotistical, elitist socialites with their own reality TV shows suddenly created a societal acceptance of narcissism. After giving consent to the self-centered behavior, its glamorization within the media encourages it to be modeled if aspiring young people want to enjoy the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
The obvious question therefore is whether Americans are too egotistical to admit their too egotistical. In an Abnormal Psych class, we were taught the dangers of narcissism and shown the success stories of those who received treatment, but we also were taught the positive reinforcement of a behavior will increase the chance that it becoming a habit, making it normal behavior. As a service to those who are suffering from the loneliness commonly associated with narcissism as well as the future of our youth, it is advised that mental health practitioners pencil narcissism into their new diagnostic manuals. Just because something is considered normal and is seen as entertaining does not mean its acceptable or rewarding. Technology and the media have perpetuated the problem enough, and I would readily forgive the APA if they came out and announced that their decision was ill-advised and that narcissism is a serious issue that demands help. However, I just fear that they're too narcissistic to admit this...
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