I actually did perk up once during my sister's droning. She diagnosed our sister Nadine as having narcissistic personality disorder, and her definition was something along the lines of "everything's about her." I knew that wasn't right. I'd looked up narcissism a few months back, when I was still with Sarah.
Good times.
As I re-read the list of criteria, this time to my sister, I commented that they applied to most members of our family. "Take this. 'Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her.'"
"That's totally Nadine!" my sister shrieked. "She's totally envious of me!"
"Did you, um, hear the part where, um..."
For the record, here's the list.
- overreacts to criticism, becoming angry or humiliated
- has a grandiose sense of self-importance
- is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
- believes that he or she is "special" and unique
- requires excessive admiration
- has a sense of entitlement
- is interpersonally exploitative
- lacks empathy
- is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her
- shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes