Abstract
The author describes his experience with a narcissistic cult leader in the United States and a narcissistic political demagogue in Bolivia. Examples of narcissism are given from clinical practice and Greek mythology, and narcissism is compared with self-esteem. The developmental origin of narcissism is discussed, and suggestions for dealing with narcissists are given. This article is an attempt to relate psychotherapy to social and political concerns in Bolivia.
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Charles McFarren
Charles McFarren, M.Div., M.A., is an ITAA Certified Transactional Analyst (clinical), a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst of ALAT (La Asociación Latinoamericana de Análisis Transaccional), a licensed marriage and family therapist, and the representative in Bolivia of ALDO (La Asociación Latinoamericana de Desarrollo Organizacional). He is the director of ISPI, el Instituto Social de Promoción Integral, and has lived and worked in Bolivia since 1952 as a minister of the United Methodist Church, an educator, a therapist, and a consultant in organizational development.