Narcisme. Kleine inleiding met het oog op religieuze fenomenen in de psychiatrische en psychotherapeutische praktijk

The article offers a brief introduction into the concept of narcissism as it is used in psychoanalytic literature. Subsequent conceptualizations consider narcissism as, respectively, a sexual perversion, a form of interpersonal behavior, a regression toward a particular stage of early infantile development, and/or as a functional phenomenon with respect to the maintenance of a positive and stable self image. After a brief excursion on the concepts of I, self, and ego-representation, the author discusses the work of Freud, Kohut, and Kernberg. A functional definition of narcissism (Stolorow) seems best suited for psychiatric and psychotherapeutic practice. Finally the narcissistic function of a number of religious behaviors is briefly discussed.