Adolescent daydreaming is a narcissistic compensation for felt inadequacy

Evidence

Jean Veneuse does not, however, lead a life devoid of compensations. He flirts with art. His reading list is impressive, his essay on Suarès is quite perceptive. That too is analyzed by Germaine Guex: “Imprisoned in himself, locked into his artificial reserve, the negative-aggressive feeds his feeling of irreparable loss with everything that he continues to lose or that his passivity makes him lack… . Therefore, with the exception of such privileged sectors as his intellectual life or his profession, he cherishes a deep-seated feeling of worthlessness.” — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 289 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Some people, however, never develop a secure sense of self-worth in childhood and come to rely on excessive boasting and extreme defensive distortions to try to dampen existential dread. This leads to an inflated but fragile self-image that provides momentary security but requires constant reassurance and is vulnerable to the slightest challenge. — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core, 262 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Daydreaming substitutes fantasy for the disciplined transformation of present reality; Intellectual achievement compensates for but does not cure a deep-seated sense of worthlessness — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 289; Inflated fragile self-esteem masks existential dread but needs constant reassurance — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core: On the Role of…, 262 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Daydreaming substitutes fantasy for the disciplined transformation of present reality #expands (0.85)
• Intellectual achievement compensates for but does not cure a deep-seated sense of worthlessness #complicates (0.78) — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 289
• Inflated fragile self-esteem masks existential dread but needs constant reassurance #expands (0.75) — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core, 262
• Ritual is active wishful thinking — acting out desired outcomes #expands (0.72) — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core, 301