Narcissist: Nonconceptual, Nonidentity, Othering Failure

The failure in the formation of the Self/Ego via separation-individuation in early childhood results in a cascade of deficiencies in later life. The infant is unable to transition from preverbal nonconceptual mental content (unthought known, unconscious) to the conceptual, linguistic phase. The child fails to recognize the externality of objects and to generate theories of mind (mentalize) as well as theories about relationships (IWM - Internal Working Model), and about reality. S/he is stuck in apprehensive knowing (non-verbal) vs. comprehensive knowing (concepts borrowed from systems therapy). Moreover: the nonemergence of a continuous and cohesive core identity generates a nonidentity problem in the dissociative, nonconceptual non-individual: an ability to conceive and imagine future selves and act to safeguard and enhance their welfare and wellbeing.