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Primary narcissism corresponds to the original [[libidinal ]] [[cathexis ]] of the ego. Later, part of that cathexis will be redirected onto [[objects]], giving rise to the opposition between ego-[[libido ]] and [[object]]-libido.

It is worth noting that [[Freud ]] often spoke as often of "original narcissism" as of "primary narcissism"—the [[sense ]] is the same.

In the second part of "[[On Narcissism]]: An Introduction" (1914c), Freud offered an ex post facto explanation of the [[nature ]] of narcissism based on the tender attitude of [[parents ]] towards their [[children]], an attitude that embodies a "revival and reproduction of their own narcissism, which they have long since abandoned" (p. 91). As a result parents attribute every conceivable perfection to their young children.

The disturbances to which primary narcissism is prone are what allow its [[existence ]] to be inferred. Among [[them ]] are the effects of the [[castration ]] [[complex]], described by Freud at the beginning of the [[third ]] part of "On Narcissism" as [[anxiety ]] in boys [[about ]] the [[penis ]] and [[envy ]] of the penis in the [[case ]] of girls (p. 92). In opposition to Adler's [[theory ]] of [[masculine ]] protest, Freud defended a [[psychology ]] of [[repression]], arguing that a precondition of repression was the establishment of an [[ideal]], and that such an ideal was instituted during the [[development ]] of the ego. As it evolved, the ego distanced itself from primary narcissism, formed an [[ego-ideal]], and proceeded to [[cathect ]] objects.

Primary narcissism is the narcissism of the suckling. Serge Lebovici (1997) points up the coextensive nature of primary narcissism and the [[individual]]'s sense of his or her own continuity. Failures of primary narcissism are [[responsible]], in Lebovici's view, for precipitating the [[fantasy ]] of the [[primal ]] [[scene]], and hence for [[feelings ]] of [[being ]] the third party. The [[state ]] of primary narcissism is clearly compatible with the [[infant]]'s [[absence ]] of any sense of its [[need ]] for [[help]], so well described by Freud in a note added in 1912 to his paper "Formulations on the Two Principles of [[Mental ]] Functioning" (1911b). This theorization is particularly useful in [[understanding ]] [[depression ]] brought on by de-[[idealization]].

# [[Freud, Sigmund]]. (1911b). Formulations on the two principles of mental functioning. SE, 12: 213-226.

# ——. (1919h). The "[[uncanny]]." SE, 17: 217-256.