You’ve seen the TikToks, the Instagram reels, and the countless online posts labeling people as “narcissists.” These videos and posts often frame narcissism as a toxic personality trait, a sign of selfishness, or an explanation for every disappointing relationship. While some of these observations have truth, the reality is more nuanced. Narcissism is not simply about selfishness or arrogance. It is both a natural part of human development and, in its extreme forms, a clinical condition.

The myth of Narcissus and Echo is more than just an ancient tale—it serves as a powerful metaphor for toxic relationship dynamics. Narcissus, a hunter admired for his extraordinary beauty, was emotionally detached, rejecting all who loved him. Echo, a mountain nymph, suffered a cruel fate that left her voiceless—able only to repeat the words of others. Together, they embody the painful cycle of one-sided relationships, where one person seeks admiration while the other loses themselves in reflection.

For these narcissistic parents, the child is groomed to be a trophy, a symbol of the parent's success and specialness, to be admired and envied in the way that the parent would wish for him or herself. The child, in this way, serves as a source of narcissistic supply for the parent.