01/13/2026
Narcissism is one of the hardest things to treat in mental health because the person rarely believes they have a problem. Owning it would threaten an ego that's already fragile beneath the surface.
The overt narcissist can walk into a room and charm everyone. They might sit on boards, support causes, or seem incredibly generous. But the key word is seem. The altruism isn't about care. It's about image. It's about playing the role, getting the recognition, earning the applause.
If the pat on the back disappeared, so would the behavior. That's not connection. That's performance with an audience in mind.