Grandiosity

*Grandiosity makes people perceive themselves as either great heros or great heals with nothing in-between*

In the field of psychology, the term **grandiosity** refers to an unrealistic sense of superiority, characterized by a sustained view of one's self as better than other people, which is expressed by disdainfully viewing other people as inferior; and refers to a sense of personal uniqueness, the belief that few other people have anything in common with oneself, and that one can only be understood by a few, very special people.

The personality trait of grandiosity is principally associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), but also is a feature in the occurrence and expression of antisocial personality disorder.

Grandiosity is separate and distinct from narcissistic personality disorder but is often comorbid with it.

The personality trait of grandiosity also is a component of the reactive attachment disorder (RAD), a severe and relatively uncommon attachment disorder that affects children. The expression of RAD is characterized by markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate ways of relating to other people in most social contexts, such as the persistent failure to initiate or to respond to most social interactions in a developmentally appropriate way, known as the "inhibited form" of reactive attachment disorder.

## Antisocial Subtype

Characteristics of the antisocial grandiose subtype (as opposed to the dependent subtype) include:

* They are oblivious to the impact of their actions on others or how they are perceived.
* Devaluation and criticism of people that threaten self-esteem.
* More likely to regulate self-esteem through overt self-enhancement (over-claiming abilities or exaggerating situations to project superiority)
* Denial of weaknesses. Exaggeration of abilities.
* Controlling others whilst both belittling (criticizing) and taking credit for their actions.
* Inflated demands of entitlement, superiority ("Don't you know who I am?"). Exaggerated beliefs of self-importance, superiority, achievement, and ability; manipulative behaviors as well as expectations of obedience, admiration, and entitlement; and preoccupation with “fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty, or the perfect mate."
* Consistent anger when confronted with unmet expectations or any perceived slight or accountability for actions. Prone to easily exploding into rage, overreacting, and possibly even becoming aggressive whenever they feel attacked by even the slightest criticism. Shifts blame when held accountable.
* Diminished awareness of the dissonance between their expectations and reality, along with the impact this has on relationships
* Overt presentation of grandiose fantasies, wealth, success, and status.
* Oblivious that expectations of entitlement (overspending, taking advantage) may make a poor impression on other people.
* Conflict within the environment is generally experienced as external to these individuals (i.e., not their fault), rather than as a measure of their own unrealistic expectations.
* Inability to enjoy the "little things" of life.

The differences between antisocial and dependent subtypes have been studied (Dickinson & Pincus, 2003):

This overall finding confirms past theory and research that suggests that these [antisocial subtype] individuals lack knowledge of the impact they have upon others, and thus, have an unrealistic view of themselves in relation to others (Gabbard, 1989, 1998; Kernberg, 1975; Kohut, 1971, 1977). Indeed, this very lack of insight into their impact upon others is what incited Gabbard (1989) to enlist the label “oblivious narcissists” to describe their social presentation and distinguish them from their vulnerable counterparts. [Antisocial] grandiose...individuals expect another’s immediate and undivided attention, and are oblivious to the effect their direct demands of entitlement have on others. And, by virtue of their ability to maintain the grandiose self through self-enhancement, [antisocial] grandiose...individuals are less susceptible than their vulnerable peers to the chronic emotional consequences of threats to entitled expectations (e.g., distress, lowered self-esteem, interpersonal fearfulness).
The grandiosity section of the Diagnostic Interview for Narcissism (DIN) (Second edition) is as follows:

2. The person believes in his/her invulnerability or does not recognize his/her limitations.
3. The person has grandiose fantasies.
4. The person believes that he/she does not need other people.
5. The person overexamines and downgrades other people, projects, statements, or dreams in an unrealistic manner.

7. The person regards himself/herself as generally superior to other people.
8. The person behaves self-centeredly and/or self-referentially.
9. The person behaves in a boastful or pretentious way.

## In mania

In mania, grandiosity is typically more pro-active and aggressive than in narcissism. The manic character may boast of future achievements or exaggerate their personal qualities.

They may also begin unrealistically ambitious undertakings, before being cut down, or cutting themselves back down, to size.

## In psychopathy

Grandiosity features in Factor 1 Facet 1:Interpersonal in the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) test. Individuals endorsing this criterion appear arrogant and boastful, and may be unrealistically optimistic about their future. The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 also notes that persons with antisocial personality disorder often display an inflated self-image, and can appear excessively self-important, opinionated and cocky, and often hold others in contempt.

## Reality-testing

A distinction is made between individuals exhibiting grandiosity, which includes a degree of insight into their unrealistic thoughts (they are aware that their behavior is considered unusual), in contrast to those experiencing grandiose delusions, who lack this capability for reality-testing. Some individuals may transition between these two states, with grandiose ideas initially developing as "daydreams" that the patient recognises as untrue, but which can subsequently turn into full delusions that the patient becomes convinced reflect reality.

## Psychoanalysis and the grandiose self

Otto Kernberg saw the unhealthily grandiose self as merging childhood feelings of specialness, personal ideals, and fantasies of an ideal parent.

Heinz Kohut saw the grandiose self as a normal part of the developmental process, only pathological when the grand and humble parts of the self became decisively divided. Kohut's recommendations for dealing with the patient with a disordered grandiose self were to tolerate and so re-integrate the grandiosity with the realistic self.