Behavior: Narcissus Redivivus

David is an able college administrator, 40, twice divorced, who has been in psychoanalysis for six months. In sessions with his analyst, he confesses to grandiose feelings of omnipotence, along with a nagging sense of worthlessness. In his relationships with women, he idealizes his lovers, then loses interest. He is consumed by envy, but whatever he works for—a big house, a boat—seems devalued as soon as he owns it.

He feels no emotions except anger and resentment. When his analyst announced he was going on vacation, David did not mind the prospect of...

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