Profs & Pints Northern Virginia: Reflecting on Narcissists

Profs and Pints Northern Virginia presents: “Reflecting on Narcissists,” a look at the myth, reality, and treatment of clinical narcissism, with Brian A. Sharpless, licensed clinical psychologist, visiting research fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London, and author of Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques.

Do narcissists really love themselves? Are they truly self-confident? Are celebrities more narcissistic than the rest of us? Does a person’s social media use—and the number of Facebook “friends” they have or selfies they post—tell us anything about their own levels of narcissism?

These are just a few of the fascinating questions that will be tackled by Brian Sharpless, a regular on the Profs and Pints stage. He will discuss the idea of narcissism, define what "narcissistic personality disorder" means to psychologists and psychiatrists, and summarize what the field knows about this condition and its treatment.

You may be particularly surprised to learn about the different ways that narcissism can manifest, some of which have little to do with the arrogant overconfidence that we associate with the narcissist stereotype. For example, many people with narcissism live their lives with chronic feelings of inadequacy. In order to avoid feeling humiliated, they closely observe others so that they can figure out how they should behave. In fact, some narcissists may actually look “depressed” to an untrained eye.

Finally, Dr. Sharpless will give some practical tips and techniques to help you deal with the narcissists in your own life. You'll walk out with a different perspective on yourself and other people, with new knowledge that may help you maintain healthier relationships. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.)  

Image: From "Echo and Narcissus," a 1903 oil painting by John William Waterhouse.