Part 7/13:
Boundary setting: Defining where one begins and ends, physically and psychologically.
Reality testing: The capacity to discern what’s real from what’s distorted.
Self-care: Prioritizing one’s well-being without guilt or excessive sacrifice.
Resilience building: Maintaining independence amid manipulation.
This balanced self-regard is crucial for mental health, especially within or outside of narcissistic environments.
Narcissists and Reality Testing
A core feature of narcissistic pathology is their impairment of reality testing—the ability to accurately perceive what is real. Narcissists distort perceptions, challenge others' views, and engage in gaslighting—but unintentional, unlike the deliberate manipulation of psychopaths.