How To Tell If You Are Living With A Narcissist? What Is Narcissism? - Written By Shahela Sheikh Narcissism is a trait, where one is excessively self-involved and holds high levels of admiration for oneself. Let me take you back to the history of the word 'narcissism'. The Greek god Narcissus was known for his beauty. He was so enamoured for his own beauty that he spent his time admiring himself. He was so self-absorbed, that people around him had to prove their devotion and love for him by killing themselves. His story is a cautionary tale that tells us about the effects of excessive self-love. People with narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder display similar traits.