I’m very disappointed in poem_for_your_sprog for almost understanding this point, and then immediately making the same mistake she was calling out
‘I have to sort my books!’ she cried,
With self-indulgent glee;
With senseless,narcissisticpride:
‘I’m just so OCD!’
‘How random, guys!’ I smiled and said,
Then left without a peep -
And washed my hands until they bled,
And cried myself to sleep.
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The adjective “narcissistic” exists entirely separate from the psychiatric definition of “narcissistic personality disorder” and predates it by millennia. I get the other ones, tho.
But in this poem, OCD seems like it’s a genuine topic, if they’re washing their hands until they bleed. I guess maybe there’s backstory here I’m not privy to
I think the “I” in the poem has genuine OCD and the “she” in the poem is using it inappropriately.
That would be true, if it wasn’t for the fact that people try to use the symptoms of NPD as proof that someone is a narcissist. You’ll see it in plenty of “therapy speech” communities.
You can call someone a narcissist all you want. But as soon as you pathologise it, it becomes clear that you aren’t talking about someone who’s just full of themselves. And unfortunately, the vast majority of the internet pathologised it, so it could only mean that.
This video explains the phenomenon very well: https://youtu.be/8ZFQG2e87ZU
Ok, but the context here is someone using the term “senseless, narcissistic pride,” which clearly has nothing to do with what you’re talking about
I didn’t bother to read what was on the underlined section of it. Sorry 😅
Right, at it’s most basic level wouldn’t it just be saying that someone or something is similar to Narcissus?
edit to support your point:
Well sure, you can say you’re using the original Greek meaning, but if you did that, I’d judge you for all the cultural baggage associated with the Greek meaning. You’ve got to do your homework when you cite ancient history, because if you don’t, then you might not realise you’re referencing a queerphobic interpretation of an ancient myth.
English is a living language. If enough people take narcissistic to mean self-absorbed that’s what it means, and the general population is not queerphobic for using it that way.
That’s fucking gay.
more
Sorry for using the word that way, but I remember growing up and hearing other kids say that like it meant nothing. Just like you. I never liked hearing that language, but I didn’t realise how distasteful it was until I got a bit older and realised I was gay.
I hope we as a society have grown beyond such callous cruelty, but people like you remind me that making others feel empathy is a never ending battle.
Please, do tell
Narcissus wasn’t arrogant in the Greek myth. He was a 16 year old kid who everyone thought was beautiful. Lots of people wanted to bone him, but he just wanted to be left alone. After this one guy, Ameinias, proposed marriage to him for like the tenth time, Narcissus told him to fuck off and die. Ameinias did as he was told, and prayed for Nemesis for revenge. Ameinias thought Narcissus didn’t want to marry him because he was arrogant, so he prayed to the god of punishment for hubris. The ancient Greeks didn’t understand asexuality or being a late bloomer, so they took Ameinias’ side in interpreting the myth.
Anyone who thinks “narcissist” is an insult is also unknowingly taking Ameinias’ side.
Dude. If you try to apply 21st century values to ancient Greek mythology, you’re going to have a bad time every time. The word “narcissistic” has a meaning in our culture that’s entirely distinct from what you describe above and is in no way “queerphobic.”
You’re absolutely correct that the modern word “narcissistic” has little to do with ancient Greek mythology. See, the modern use is actually based on popular media portrayals of narcissistic personality disorder, which is why flippant use of the term is ableist.
For some reason, some people think the word’s ancient Greek etymology means the modern use isn’t ableist. They have some erroneous perception that modern people are speaking Greek when they say it. But as you now point out, that’s ridiculous, because the word’s meaning has changed over the last two thousand years. So the word has gone from being queerphobic to being ableist.
Truly, anyone who says the word is okay because of ancient history is an idiot.
See, the modern use is actually based on popular media portrayals of narcissistic personality disorder
This is the opposite of true. The adjective “narcissistic” has been in common usage since the late 19th century to mean the exact same thing it means today, i.e. “self-centered.” The term “Narcissistic Personality Disorder” wasn’t coined until 1968.
Truly, you’re eager to manufacture outrage for some benign things. What’s up with that
“In common use in the 19th century” is a liberal interpretation of Havelock Ellis coining the phrase “Narcissus-like” in 1898. Sure, that’s the 19th century for two more years, but the actual word “narcissism” doesn’t appear until 1911, and it’s clearly within a psychiatric context.
Narc doesn’t mean narcissistic, get off my lawn
Narc is and always will be a snitch
Isn’t it short for narcotics?
Thought it originated as being slang for an undercover narcotics officer. So an undercover cop who busts you for drugs. Then by extension, an informant who rats you out to such an officer.
I’m glad you haven’t been exposed to the Reddit communities where they use that word as an ableist slur.
While we’re at it, “gaslighting” is an abusive manipulation tactic to make someone doubt their own mind. It doesn’t just mean “lying”.
It doesn’t just mean lying
Yes it does and you’re crazy for suggesting otherwise. /s
It’s really exhausting. OCD, ADHD, NPD, BPD, Bipolar disorder, all these commonly armchair-diagnosed disorders have lost so much meaning due to inappropriate use. I was recently accused of gaslighting because I didn’t recall what someone was criticizing me for, so I said as much and asked for examples. Big gaslighter here, everyone.
Y’all need to learn that describing diagnoses by their symptoms isn’t necessarily better or helpful.
Y’all need to learn that psychology is a science which has only recently been getting it’s time in the limelight and you shouldn’t be offended by its terms becoming more common knowledge.
Y’all need to learn that your pet peeves don’t dictate how others must communicate.
Y’all need to learn that if misuse of language annoys you then educate rather than denigrate is always a better approach.
“Therapy speak” is such a growing problem that it was included in a newsletter I just got about “Trends for therapists to look out for in 2026.” It was #2 on the 6 item list
I used to be able to trust that when a new client says “my partner gaslights me” they meant they are literally being abused, but now I have to ask whether they’re being hyperbolic or using that term colloquially, which risks invalidating their experience.
This is similar to how people going gluten free caused a headache for people with celiac disease. Yes, there have been benefits, like growing awareness and more options on the shelf, but it also led to celiac folks not being taken/treated seriously, which could be deadly.
educate rather than denigrate is always a better approach
“Y’all need to relearn X” IS education. If you feel denigrated when you’re told to learn something, then I don’t see how it’s possible to educate you without offending you.
Just because it has the word learn in it doesn’t mean it’s educating. It’s purposefully written in an obtuse manner to complain and denigrate, not educate.
educate rather than denigrate is always a better approach
certainly, we can do both
“Sir, that last attack crippled our
impulseintrusive thought drive!” - Star Trek if Starfleet had The Heart of Gold from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.We often wanted to use these terms, but they were loaded with generational guilt.
Language is a dialogue, a process. Not a snapshot.
I’m kinda getting tired of one person deciding that their personal pet peeves must be laws of communications for all.
Reminded of a very good friend who means no harm but really needs to learn the words “stupid” and “awkward” instead of “autistic”
“Mr. Data, full intrusive thought power, bearing 116.”
Are there really people who mix up impulses and intrusive thoughts?
I always love explaining to people that when I handle kitchen knives a small part of me is like “Slit your fucking neck and stab everyone you know! You can do it with that knife you got!” I’ve gotten over the horror of it but it took me years to comprehend that it’s not normal.
Most of the self diagnosed OCDers are actually anal. They just don’t want to describe themselves as anal.
You mean like Freud’s theory that children who fail potty training and can’t let go of their poo become maladjusted adults who try to control everything in their lives?
Is sprog still on reddit?
They are on lemmy.
