Surrounded By Narcissists by: Thomas Erikson (A Review)

I firmly believe that the detection of narsissism is more than just pop psychology. A serious mistake in this book was to ignore the high level research conducted in the past few years considering mental illness. The responsibility of the reader here is what does justice to the study, a trained reader in the field might see Erickson as superficial and underread. He cites one of closest competitors Jordan B. Peterson, but completely ignores Steven Pinker. Emotional accountability and the thorough study and evaluation of symptoms are truly required. Swedish author _____ detests the grandiose meta arrogance of narcissists or so he proclaims with little personal recognition and disclosure. A possible red flag for readers whom have experience in the subject. Yet the book is based in fact with stats that are useful and applicable.

"Any genius can read a few issues of psychology today, breeze through a psyche course, and fulfill a couple of hundred pages of psyche lit" - this might be something you would hear a narcissist say about this book according to Erikson.

I'm not sure who I trust more at this point, Erickson or the narcissist. Yet somewhat convincingly, he continues to write negatively about narcissists. Exposing them as jealous plagiarists who are really helpless deep down, and can't seem to bridge a gap into a normal lifestyle. He says they are full of problems even more so than the common person.

The book initially made me reflect on my own selfish traits, but it also stood out to me that there would be some people in my life who score higher than myself on the psychopathy scale. Erickson also explains the dark triad of psychopathy, machiavellianism, and narcissism.

He mentions idea logical facts that are somewhat alarming about psychopaths and narcissists. For example; they are frequently successful and can be highly manipulative and overpowering even to the point of their own demise.

The section about personality types was an indication that the author may have had some success with people. After using whom he declares a top psychologist in the field's chart to identify psychopathic traits, he proceeds to his own chart that examines how people regulate themselves, what motivates them, and what they want. He identifies yellow type personalities as the most succeptible to narcissistic behavior.

Erickson spends some time deciphering the difference between a self indulgent individual and a narcissist (someone who is so toxic that they can literally drag you down in apparently several aspects of enterprise and life itself.)

There is perhaps a major secondary theme to the book. That we live in a confidence and self love obsessed society. Erickson mentions indicators at such a point of view. He doesn't write with a groundbreaking style, but has an observance of the fundamentals that is plenty for the mechanics of self discovery here.

"It's not with every published work that an author gives warning or concern to their readers to caution them from potentially harmful people that could be not just peers, but supervisors." Let alone a spouse or significant other.

After trending subtly and factually, Erickson starts to rip Narcissists as he hilariously and rather truthfully decides some of their favorite deceptive sayings. Their willingness to project and lie to please themselves from abuse.

The very idea that a narcissist could be somewhere in your life is a motivation to get a copy of "Surrounded by Narcissists". Whether you are a rule abiding blue, or a free spirited yellow you might want to check in with Erickson to spot someone who can use reverse psychology, negative reinforcement, or compliments to control you into a spiraling downfall.

Erickson poses a few narrow interpretations which are of course most likely to be considered narrow by people whom have actually experienced such tragedies. He refers to abusers as spineless cowards yet explores the idea that they may assist in the cause of narcissistic behavior. He quickly throws the condition of bipolar disorder to the curb as an emotionally unstable abuser which is in fact false. I was unimpressed with his lack of analytical, logical sympathy for them here.

Yet Erickson is somewhat right. His target audience seems to be for the one who would never engage in such treacherous, cruel activity. That is certainly a wise viewpoint that could affirm a disciplined reader looking out for someone who can cause slumps with bad behavior.