The narcissist is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige.[2] Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness.
From wikipedia.
Is it just me, or are you surrounded with people like this (and I'm not talking about those of you that work in psych specifically?)
Seems like everybody I come across these days at work and in other arenas displays many if not all of these characteristics, and it is by no means just the doctors. How about those nurses that still wear the cap/white dress to work? I have to think they do that in part because they have some sort of unfulfilled psychological need. It's certainly not practical anymore.
Can I just throw out there a big huge "GET OVER YOURSELF!" ?!?!?
wow, I work with many who fit that profile.... didn't realize there was actually a disorder for this type of behavior. Cool!!! I don't like to use Wikipedia for a reliable resource, so I'll go see what else I can find on that, thanks!!!
Well, I was with you up until the part where you suggested that those of us who choose to still wear whites and our caps have something wrong with us ...
do you really wear a nursing hat? I can understand wearing white, since my mom is of that generation of nurse... but wearing the hat "almost" makes me think you might still stand up when a doctor enters a room, or give him/her your seat, or get them a cup of coffee.
Consider yourself lucky to have personal experience surrounding yourself with these people with "annoying personalities" but not with those who actually have a true personality disorder. I can only assume that is the case, since you'd be singing a different tune about it instead of dismissing their personalities as simply annoying.
First off, my post was an attempt at levity. Levity is sorely missing around here at times. You seemed to take it personally, and that clearly was not my intention.
Secondly, I've known two people who I truly think have personality disorders. I'm not quite sure what reaction you feel I'm supposed to have to them. I'm not a psychologist, I have no intention of becoming a psych nurse, and there's not a damn thing I can do to change them. One I no longer associate with and the other is a relative. With the relative, I could either dismiss it as annoying or become so heavily involved in his issues that worry consumes me on his behalf. Sorry, I can't do the latter.
I don't know about you, but back in nursing school (just graduated! w00t!), every time I read about a new disorder or disease, I was thoroughly convinced that I had it....
And now, I'm somewhat convinced that I have NPR...
And of course, it's always about me. LOL. Just kidding. Or am I?
I love how the DSM-IV takes annoying personalities and turns them into a disorder, thereby taking the onus of change off the "victim." I once looked up histrionic personality disorder (yes, it's a "disorder"), and thought, "When did being a drama queen become a disorder?!"
well it should be, dealing with drama queens is N O T what I would call fun. I'm glad I'm not one of them and feel that it is not normal behavior....
That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about, in this day and age, people wearing the full-on white skirt, white hose, sometimes an apron, cap, etc....walking around looking like Nurse Rachet. If you are coming down the hall and people double take and ask if it's Halloween, that's when you have to wonder what is going through these people's minds when they put that getup on. I have met 2 or 3 of these in my career and they were at least a half a bubble off. I met into one of them yesterday when I transferred a patient...when I called her report, she answered the phone "This is Firstname Lastname, RN" and proceeded to tell me that she earned a 3.95 GPA in her nursing program (I'm still not sure how that got woven into the conversation...) Distinctly memorable, and WEIRD. That doesn't sound like you. Wearing a modern all-white uniform and shoes is totally different.
I have known a few. It is odd. There is a natural evolution of nursing. If there wasn't, we would all be walking around in Florence Nightengale-ish clothing... also, we're so mobile, we have to be practical in our choice of clothing. Reasonable in style/print, etc., but you DO have to pick up a lot of stuff, move, bend, etc. Gym clothes would be more appropriate half the time, which is why hospital provided scrubs are the best! They feel like pajamas and are free!
When I started my current position appx. 2 years ago, my Boss explained to me that many people in Management are "Borderline Personalities" since most are "out for themselves" & "would throw others under the bus to get ahead." People can say what they want, but I've found this to be true.....at least in Long Term Care.
First off, my post was an attempt at levity. Levity is sorely missing around here at times. You seemed to take it personally, and that clearly was not my intention.
Secondly, I've known two people who I truly think have personality disorders. I'm not quite sure what reaction you feel I'm supposed to have to them. I'm not a psychologist, I have no intention of becoming a psych nurse, and there's not a damn thing I can do to change them. One I no longer associate with and the other is a relative. With the relative, I could either dismiss it as annoying or become so heavily involved in his issues that worry consumes me on his behalf. Sorry, I can't do the latter.
I'm sorry.
My gut reaction is to defend these things because it is personal, and I missed the attempt at levity here because of it. My stomach turns when psych disorders are written off as being something far less than what they are, and I mistook your post as doing that.
Not sure where you'd draw the line. Surviving nursing school and passing the NCLEX is no minor acheivement. I wouldn't want to be cared for by a nurse who was ashamed of being a nurse (does the DSM cover that?). Would I climb the worlds tallest mountain and not tell anyone about it? Now if I had flashing lights announcing to the world I was a nurse, that's worrisome. It's an interesting subject that begs the rhetorical question, why does it bother you so much?
MassED, BSN, RN
2,636 Posts
wow, I work with many who fit that profile.... didn't realize there was actually a disorder for this type of behavior. Cool!!! I don't like to use Wikipedia for a reliable resource, so I'll go see what else I can find on that, thanks!!!