Why We Need to Stop Throwing the "Narcissist" Label Around

In a Psychology Today article, Dr. Craig Malkin emphasizes the dangers of overusing the term "narcissist" in casual conversations. While labeling someone as narcissistic can offer validation for victims of malignant narcissists, who may suffer from debilitating trauma like PTSD, it risks trivializing their real pain when the term is misapplied to everyday behaviors like taking selfies or acting self-absorbed. Malkin highlights that narcissism exists on a spectrum, and most people labeled as narcissists do not meet the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Misusing the label oversimplifies a complex concept and ignores the nuances between healthy and harmful narcissism.

Malkin further explains that some narcissism is essential for self-confidence and resilience, and not all narcissistic traits are harmful. Obsessing over the label “narcissist” shifts the focus away from behaviors like abuse, which should be addressed independently of the root cause. Instead of stigmatizing narcissism, Malkin urges readers to recognize its varying degrees and focus on addressing harmful actions directly. Ultimately, he argues that mislabeling can blind us to our own self-centered tendencies and hinder meaningful self-awareness.