disapproval Narcissism is the habit of always thinking about yourself and admiring yourself. Those who suffer from narcissism become self-absorbed or chronic show-offs. when someone is too concerned about their appearance or abilities or spends too much time admiring them - used to show disapproval (Narcissus, beautiful young man in an ancient Greek story who loved to look at his face reflected in water and was turned into a flower, from Narkissos). Mental disorder characterized by extreme self-absorption, an exaggerated sense of self-importance, and a need for attention and admiration from others. First identified by Havelock Ellis in 1898, the disorder is named for the mythological Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. In addition to an inflated self-image and addiction to fantasy, narcissism is characterized by an unusual coolness and composure, which is shaken only when the narcissistic confidence is threatened, and by the tendency to take others for granted or to exploit them. According to Sigmund Freud, narcissism is a normal stage in children's development, but it is considered a disorder when it occurs after puberty