What is the difference between self absorbed and self centered

They are someone who is nearly always preoccupied with themselves and their own needs. For example, a partner who is self-absorbed makes choices that serve their own needs rather than the needs of the relationship or their partner. They can take into account feedback they hear from their partner or other important people in their lives and may try to make different choices but ultimately they often come back to making sure their own self-interests are met first and foremost.

At the end of the spectrum is someone who is described as narcissistic and likely meets the requirements of the full-blown personality disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Although Narcissists often make choices that serve their own needs again, the biggest contrast between any term lower on the spectrum and the disorder is that narcissists lack empathy.

Due to deficits in the way the brain forms in their early years, narcissists simply cannot identify or empathize with what someone else may be feeling. Related: What Is Narcissistic Abuse? Some narcs may sometimes appear as if they care for others but they do not truly feel any of these feelings.

They are simply mimicking what they have seen others do. There is no depth or consistency to their seemingly caring thoughts or actions. Ultimately, people who are described as selfish or self-absorbed or self-centered may be more focused on their own needs rather than incorporating the needs of others as well but they do not lack empathy and often do not engage in the destructive and harmful behaviors that narcissists engage in.

They are able to take responsibility for their actions and make appropriate changes from there if something is important enough for them to do so. They have the ability to take in feedback, heal the underlying reasons why the self-focus ever developed, and use skills such as empathy to correct their relationships with others.

These people are capable of change, whether they want to make changes is still up to them, but they are capable of it. Narcissists however do not have the ability to step back and observe themselves or other people. Narcissists do not have the ability to change. Because their behaviors stem from changes and deficits that have taken place in their formative years, there is no way to then correct these deficits later in life.

Many people ultimately find that going low or no-contact with a narcissist is the healthiest choice they can make since change is often not possible. This causes a lot of arguments in adult life, especially in relationships. In a sense, the parents created a monster. They border on the mental health diagnosis of narcissism. Their opinion is fact and can degrade a person for not following their way of thought. They abuse their friends for money, gifts, time, and more.

They are insecure but not as insecure as a narcissistic person, which is actually a fragile individual. They appear careless, callous, and aloof. For this personality, the entire world according to them simply revolves around them, and exists because of and to serve them. Their worst nightmare is an educated empath because we are able to see through the smoke and mirrors and force them to be vulnerable and see inside themselves. When we start seeing people beyond psychological symptoms and constructed personality disorders, we then have a chance of helping them.

To clarify, people do behave in a selfish, self absorbed, self centred or narcissistic way, but it is not who we they are, its an outward manifestation of a hurt person with a misunderstanding of how to cope, that is hurting people.

Seeing psychological innocence is the 1 requirement to be able to understand this. How this relates to present-day understanding of narcissism is the same, it is is not a real part of the human psyche it is the over-identification with an image of the self, otherwise known as the ego. The funny thing is, it is only the ego of one person that sees the ego in another, because we can only see our own thinking and recognition of that thinking, in others. So psychological innocence means seeing past the created identity, the ego and understanding the overly selfish behaviors, and focus on the self-image of a person is simply an attempt to survive.

To keep their identity alive. Psychological innocence means that we see beyond the image of self and know that under that illusion is a perfect, whole, mentally healthy human being, who has become lost in their developmental understanding of how the mind works and who they are. To keep this totally real, we all have an ego, a self-image, and in some ways seek to better ourselves, our surroundings, and our statuses, simply because that is the experience of being human. Lynette Louise.

They get a feeling of worth through the attainment and retainment of things, experiences, and people. When you have found a center in which to feel yourself, you can feel and know the part of you that has been constant throughout your life. When you feel centered in yourself, you feel rooted in knowing who you are and you can be flexible.

You have deep roots earned over years of being curious about how you are in the world and how you could be better. When someone becomes truly centered in their self, they can be in a relationship without losing who they are or asking others to confirm who they are. The energy of a person centered in their self is one that you like to be around because they become more available to see others and accept them for who they are.

Self-centered people want or expect the world to revolve around them. They crave to be the center of attention. They find a way to change every conversational topic into something having to do with them. They are also unlikely to reciprocate favors which have been bestowed upon them. For example, a selfish lover does not care whether or not his or her partner is satisfied in bed.

Selfish people are takers and not givers. They also typically lack empathy for those who are less fortunate. Sharon Grossman , Psychologist and Success Coach.

Part of the reason people burn out is because they think taking care of themselves is selfish. They need to focus on everyone else. In essence, what they are saying is that selfish, in this case, is focusing on yourself while excluding others.

The truth is that putting yourself in the center in this way is healthy because it keep us in prime state to continue to be of service to others.

That is the definition of being self-centered. How is self-awareness different? Is this confusion a part of perfectly hidden depression? And you continue that belief into adulthood.

Three things you can do to try self-awareness on for size… So what can you do if you struggle with knowing the difference between , self-centeredness, selfishness and being self-aware? Originally published on May 7, ; updated and revamped on February 29, Share via: 81 Shares. There's a new way to send me a message!

You can record by clicking above and ask your question or make a comment. You'll have 90 seconds to do so and that time goes quickly. By recording, you're giving SelfWork and me permission to use your voice on the podcast. I'll look forward to hearing from you! Goodreads reviews for Perfectly Hidden Depression. Reviews from Goodreads. Spam Blocked 26, spam blocked by Akismet. Facebook Twitter Pinterest More Networks. In other words, a selfish person is a person who is excessively concerned with himself and herself, regardless of others around him.

Such people only think about their own advantage, welfare or profit. Selfishness is the opposite of selflessness or altruism. Some psychologists have identified a lack of empathy as the root cause of selfishness.

Moreover, selfish behavior is often identified as immoral. Selfishness refers to a lack of consideration for others; however, self-centered does not strictly refer to a lack of consideration for others.