Self, identity, and narcissism.

"Self" as an isolated term is an abstraction. The concept of self, on the other hand, is an important component of psychoanalytic psychology. Does the designation of "self" as a superordinate agency add to our understanding? This paper considers the relation of the concept of self to the structural theory. In both theory and clinical practice the concept of self is prominently associated with the concepts of identity and narcissism. The latter are discussed briefly. Illustrative cases are included.