People with narcissistic problems tend to have great difficulty developing healthy give-and-take relationships.
They have difficulty in relating to others because they cannot distinguish between themselves and others in complex ways.
This shows through extreme self-absorption, which tends to make those around them feel as if these others do not exist.
Children with narcissistic parents often grow up to experience problems with self-esteem, intimacy and personal autonomy and independence. This can be seen in areas of work, love and friendship.
Such people gain in therapy a better self-regard and self-appreciation through interacting with a therapist who is immune to their self-image, and can assist them in dealing with the issues underlying their defence structures.