The World of the Narcissistic Victim: Relationships in the Context of Modern Neurosis

Psychologists talk about an epidemic. Today’s world demands that we meet ever more requirements—we must show leadership and creativity, think positively, constantly learn, work a lot, and earn well. In this world there’s no room for fatigue, bad mood, wrong choices, a crisis of values, and other things that accompany ordinary human life. All of this becomes reinforcement for people who, with their deep convictions, are certain that, as they are, they aren’t good enough. They demand from themselves (as perhaps their parents once demanded of them in childhood—or as a narcissistic partner demands of them, waiting for it when they’re already adults) an ideal. And since they can’t achieve it, they consider the only possible option: to come to terms with life circumstances that don’t satisfy them and relationships that hurt them. Only awareness of traumatic experience allows it to become part of (a useful part of!) one’s own personality and restore one’s wholeness. This book by psychologist Anastasiya Dolganova explains how to recognize the roots and manifestations of narcissism (helped by the many stories of clients the author provides) and find a path to your true self and healthy relationships with others.