Narcissism: its normal evolution and development and the treatment of its disorders

Narcissism has become a construct attracting increasing attention in mental health. Its precise definition, its normal and abnormal developmental features, its assessment, the pathogenesis of its aberrations, and the treatability of its pathological manifestations merit continuing study and clarification. This overview outlines these relevant issues, and summarizes psychoanalytic psychotherapeutic investigations involving the detection and modification of narcissism as well as the limitations of this approach.