The Demon Lover and the Narcissist: Two Perspectives

In this presentation, we will compare and contrast aspects of Closet Narcissism and Grandiose Narcissism, utilizing Woody Allen’s film Blue Jasmine to illustrate the trauma and drama of the Closet Narcissist.  Drawing from the work of Marion Woodman (Addiction to Perfection), we will look at the archetype of the Demon Lover from both an object relations as well as a Jungian perspective. The seduction and betrayal of the child, as well as the disowning of the sexual and aggressive parts of the self will be explored, as well as the capacity for developmental mourning vs. developmental arrest.  Part 2 will feature a role-play between the presenter and a colleague who will play the part of the closet narcissist, as a means of highlighting the psychodynamics at play in working with patients with these characteristics.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe what is meant by closet narcissism;
• Describe what is meant by grandiose narcissism;
• Describe what is meant by the Demon Lover complex;
• Give an example of how to help patients with closet narcissism integrate disowned and split-off parts of the self.