Narcissism

According to Freud, primary narcissism is based on the needs of the infant

who has to be fed and cared for by the mother whose body the baby assimilates

to his own. The satisfaction of the primary needs necessary for he baby's survival

also creates his first narcissistic needs. Secondary narcissism develops as the young

adult finds his personality by identifying with role models while he sublimates

his primary needs into socially acceptable activities such as painting, sculpture, sports, medicine, astronomy, etc. The important aspect of secondary narcissism

is to keep it framed in a dynamic manner without repression of the instinctual

drives which, if occurred, would plunge the person into an unhealthy regression

and could lead to a compulsion of repetition whereas the healthy outcome

would depend on the dynamic distribution of libidinal energy sublimated

int positive activities and relationships with others.