The author describes his experience with a narcissistic cult leader in the United States and a narcissistic political demagogue in Bolivia. Examples of narcissism are given from clinical practice and Greek mythology, and narcissism is compared with self-esteem. The developmental origin of narcissism is discussed, and suggestions for dealing with narcissists are given. This article is an attempt to relate psychotherapy to social and political concerns in Bolivia.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
EnglishF. (1979). Talk by Fanita English on receiving the Eric Berne memorial scientific award for the concept of rackets as substitute feelings. Transactional Analysis Journal, 9, 90–97.
2.
EnglishF. (1998). Acceptance speech on receiving the 1997 Eric Berne memorial award for hot-potato transmissions and episcripts. Transactional Analysis Journal, 25, 10–15.
3.
ErnstF. H.Jr. (1971). The OK corral: The grid for get-on-with. Transactional Analysis Journal, 1(4), 33–42.
4.
ErskineR. G. (1997). Theories and methods of an integrative transactional analysis: A volume of selected articles. San Francisco: TA Press.
5.
ErskineR. G., & MoursundJ. P. (1988). Integrative psychotherapy in action. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
6.
ErskineR. G., & TrautmannR. L. (1996). Methods of an integrative psychotherapy. Transactional Analysis Journal, 26, 316–328.
7.
FreudS. (1957). On narcissism: An introduction. In StracheyJ. (Ed. and Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 67–102). London: Hogarth Press. (Original work published 1914)
8.
GalanterM. (1989). Cults: Faith, healing, and coercion. New York: Oxford University Press.
9.
GreenbergJ. R., & MitchellS. A. (1983). Object relations in psychoanalytic theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
10.
GuerraP. (1997, March 13). Farewell, compadre Carlos. The Bolivian Times. La Paz, Bolivia, p. 8.
11.
HassanS. (1988). Combating cult mind control. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press.
12.
JacobsA. (1991). Aspects of survival: Triumph over death and onliness. Transactional Analysis Journal, 21, 4–11.
13.
JohnsonS. M. (1985). Characterological transformation: The hard work miracle. New York: Norton.
14.
KarpmanS. B. (1968). Fairy tales and script drama analysis. Transactional Analysis Bulletin, 7(26), 39–43.
15.
KernbergO. (1975). Borderline conditions and pathological narcissism. New York: Jason Aronson.
16.
KlitgaardR. (1990). Controlling corruption. Berkeley: University of California Press.
17.
KohutH. (1977). The restoration of the self. New York: International Universities Press.
18.
MastersonJ. F. (1981). The narcissist and borderline disorders. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
19.
McFarrenC. (1996, November 10). El narcisismo: Yo estoy bien. ¡Tú no! [Narcissism: I'm OK, you're not!]. La Razón. La Paz, Bolivia, 12.
20.
Encarta Encyclopedia 96 (articles on narcissism and Winston Churchill) [Computer software]. (1996). Redmond, WA: Microsoft.
21.
PineF. (1985). Developmental theory and clinical practice. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
22.
SaucedoD. A. (1996). La percepción social con respecto a Carlos Palenque [Social perception with regard to Carlos Palenque]. Política, cultura y etnicidad en Bolivia. Centro de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia, pp. 89–101.
23.
SingerM. T. (1996). Therapy, thought reform, and cults. Transactional Analysis Journal, 26, 15–22.
