Relationship between Narcissism and Masochism???

Question

Is masochism an aspect of Narcissism?? or the two attitudes are totlly different?

Can Masochism be a reaction to the narcissistic part of the dissociated personality??

Any explaination to search for an association between the two is pure speculation on my part.

Narcissists after going through a traumatic phase(causing a narcissistic injury) may go enjoy a burst of relief,a type of freedom of sorts. Having gone through such emotional devastation, the narcissist often feels that he has found himself in a sense of being reborn.

So now in order to fight those inner torments of the past episodes which were trying to make him feel worthless or bad etc , he seeks to combat these thoughts by inflicting pain on himself,proving his own ego as being superior to any opposing thoughts.Thus the masochistic manifestation of the narcissist.

This may also swing towards a saddistic role as the Narcissist may feel the need to avenge his pain by taking it out on others and derive pleasure from it as being superior to those he is causing pain to.

Answer 1

Narcissism and masochism are related in the sense that both focus inordinately on the self.

A narcissist uses himself as the focal point of every thought and action -- how do I feel about this, what do I want, what can I gain or lose, how might I be hurt, will I like this? (etc.) He makes whatever choices that will protect himself from harm and coddle himself with good feelings. Even other people are simply viewed as tools to somehow protect and satisfy himself. Narcissism involves a lot of pride.

Masochism is generally a way of debasing the self instead of dealing with an issue. Sometimes it's done because someone feels guilty over something they've done. Instead of going to the person they've wronged or offended, they instead punish themselves for their sin and call it even. Pride as well is evident here -- they are ashamed and don't want to be in a position to have to apologize (the feelings of shame are overwhelming) -- so they avoid losing face.

General masochism (such as the bdsm movement, I guess) usually involves placing oneself in another's control and leaving oneself at their mercies. The psychology is pretty complicated and gray here, and there might be multiple reasons why someone experiences pleasure when they allow themselves to be abused. Maybe it assuages a guilty conscience, maybe it momentarily relieves them of the burden of making choices, making it makes them feel like they're racking up good points in case they screw up later (i.e., prepaying for one's mistakes). I'm not sure how all that works at the moment.

But in any case, they are both related to each other (you will see masochistic narcissists and narcissistic masochists) because both involve a focus on the self and deal with pride issues.

Answer 2

I would say that they are opposed. Masochists derive pleasure from suffering, pain, being controlled, and often even humiliated. Narcissim is characterized by a grand sense of self importance and often preoccupation with fantasies of power. I don't belive a narcissist would ever derive pleasure from suffering or being controlled in any way.

Answer 3

"Hello temptatio...!
Narcissism describes the character trait of self love.

The word is derived from Greek mythology. Narcissus was a handsome Greek youth who rejected the desperate advances of the nymph Echo. As a punishment, he was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to consummate his love, Narcissus pined away and changed into the flower that bears his name, the narcissus.
In moderation, narcissism is said to be an essential component of a healthy psyche.

masochism, the sexual pleasure or gratification of having pain or suffering inflicted upon the self, often consisting of sexual fantasies or urges for being beaten, humiliated, bound, tortured, or otherwise made to suffer, either as an enhancement to or a substitute for sexual pleasure. The name is derived from the name of the 19th century author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, known for his novel Venus in Furs that dealt with highly masochistic themes.

As you can see these afflictions are not equal to each other."

Answer 4

N'ism is the deriving pleasure by extremely self-indulging in ones appearance and existence - or in simple words loving oneself too much.

M'ism is deriving pleasure by extreme self-infliction of pain - or in simple words hating oneself too much.

They are two branches of one root - the 'ego'.

Both to varying degrees are malaise of the mind.

N'ism causes one to believe he/she is the centre of the universe and the rest are but pawns to be used in the appeasement of the ego. The ego seeks to validate its existence by over-indulging in pleasurable experiences.

M'ism causes one to believe all evil, pain and suffering is caused due to the body. The ego seeks a release by self-inflicting pain to its outer-shell(body). It equates body=root of all suffering, hence punishes it, as a way of liberation.

Answer 5

NARCISSISM REFERRS TO THOSE WHO LACK EMPATHY, AND REFUSE TO CONSIDER OTHER PEOPLES' PERSPECTIVES. IT IS ALL ABOUT THEM, ALL THE TIME. THEY CANNOT ACTUALLY LOVE OTHER PEOPLE, UNLESS IT IS ON THEIR TERMS.
A MASSOCHIST IS SEXUALLY GRATIFIED BY PAIN AND DEGREDATION.

THE TWO ARE NOT REALLY RELATED. ONE IS A PERSONALITY DISORDER, AND THE OTHER IS A PARAPHILIA.

UNLESS A MASOCHIST IS NARCISSISTIC, MASOCHISM IS NOT A CHARACTERISTIC OF NARCISSISM.

ARE YOU JUST TRYING TO IMPRESS PEOPLE WITH BIG WORDS, OR ARE YOU REALLY INTERESTED IN ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY?

Answer 6

Personal uneducated opinion: opposing each other (but not antonyms)

Except... they both birng you pleasure...

Answer 7

So you're the pretty 1!

Answer 8

Why don't you punch me in my gorgeous face and I'll tell you the answer?

Attention is attention, I suppose....