Good book recommendations for books on Narcissism?

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887]

Hello! I've been very interested in cluster B personality disorders for some time now due to how stigmatized and misunderstood they are, and was wondering if anyone would have any good book recommendations for books about narcissism? From the majority of what I've seen online, it's most books about recovering from narcissistic abuse/parents/etc. Obviously, I can imagine those books are very helpful for some people, but I am looking for a more objective or at the very least empathetic perspective. Thank you!

edit: just to be very clear -- I am NOT looking for books on subjects like surviving narcissistic abuse or growing up with narcissistic parents. I'm specifically looking for books to help me better understand narcissists as people and not immediately portray them all as abusers. I feel there is a profound lack of understanding and compassion for these people, and I just (maybe naively) want to better understand where narcissism comes from.

[u/Neither_Painting4582]

actually, check any books and papers from TFP specialists, personality disorders is what TFP focused on ❤️

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887 → u/Neither_Painting4582]

I wasn't familiar with TFP, I will definitely look into it. Thank you!!

[u/hammerny_anderson]

Since you are looking for an objective and empathetic understanding of narcissism rather than survival guides, I would like to suggest the following books:

•​The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller – Focuses on childhood trauma and the loss of the true self.

•​Rethinking Narcissism by Dr. Craig Malkin – A balanced, spectrum-based approach to the disorder.

•​Narcissism: Denial of the True Self by Alexander Lowen – Explores the psychological and physical disconnect in narcissists.

•​The Culture of Narcissism by Christopher Lasch – An analysis of how society fosters these traits. ​

I hope these provide the depth and compassion you are looking for in your research.

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887 → u/hammerny_anderson]

This seems very much so like what I was looking for, thank you so much!!

[u/mmmhmmbadtimes → u/hammerny_anderson]

Oh I'd updoot you six times for Al Lowen, but ... I never read that one. Love his work. Miller is great, too, and that's a gem of a book. And based on that I'm ordering the other two, thanks! :)

[u/_phantom_menace]

Not for narcissism but for BPD - I Hate You Dont Leave me, Understanding the Borderline Personality by Jerold J. Kreisman and Hal Straus (I am currently reading and I find the book to be very informative).

[u/mmmhmmbadtimes]

Check out James Masterson. Terrific insights.

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887 → u/mmmhmmbadtimes]

I wasn't familiar with his work but am now very interested, I'll certainly check it out. Thank you!

[u/Neither_Painting4582]

Treating Pathological Narcissism with Transference-Focused Psychotherapy by Diana Diamond, Frank Yeomans and Barry Stern

[u/SoloForks]

Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft.

[u/Naa_K_]

I can share this book for free if it can help you 'Data Baby: My Life in a Psychological Experiment

'

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887 → u/Naa_K_]

Hello, so sorry if I misunderstood, but I don't quite understand how this book is related to narcissism? I was looking for books more relating to that topic, but thank you for the recommendation and I'll still look into it regardless!!

[u/tads73]

YouTube channels: all have good credentials https://youtube.com/@doctorramani?si=eb0fb5LK8ZRdLG3r https://youtube.com/@richardgrannon?si=PWCFxN-5KjEtHn5T https://youtube.com/@survivingnarcissism?si=qoYGXmjWW1eH-COA https://youtube.com/@drgrande?si=zC2gG7trG1uMQOjq https://youtube.com/@alanrobargehealingtrauma?si=K5sq5UsPtUqNPW6g https://youtube.com/@samvaknin?si=6u-9Vqsta46XTT8J

[u/mmmhmmbadtimes → u/tads73]

These are helpful for abuse survivors, but frankly vaknin is a psychopath (tested and diagnosed), and Dr Ramani is not the least academic. I truly believe she's doing more harm than good: claiming 60% of people are narcissistic and basically saying "this is how you deal with them" is harmful. It's creating more of the behaviors, not less. And much of what she discusses can be worked through from attachment wound perspective. What she said is valid when dealing with the roughly 4% of population who are cluster B... Not every other person you meet.

[u/tads73 → u/mmmhmmbadtimes]

They don't write a lot on narcissism because it's not an important diagnosis to make. Insurance companies don't pay for treatment and medications for NPD. Bipolar or borderline is more likely going to get 3rd party treatment funding.

So if the op wants to learn, learn from professionals who have a lot of experience of it in practice.

[u/jackt1911]

Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations by Elinor Greenberg and Malignant Narcissism by Smith and Hung.

[u/-RadicalSteampunker- → u/jackt1911]

Those are goated from what i've heard

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887 → u/jackt1911]

Will definitely be checking these out, thank you so much!!

[u/xoxo_lorraine]

Following this cause I’m interested in working w/ cluster b personality disorders too :)

[u/Nice_Entertainer_887 → u/xoxo_lorraine]

Makes me happy to see other people interested in working w/ cluster b personality disorders, cluster b is so misunderstood and demonized imo. Wishing you luck and success !! ❤️❤️