Author: Gargi Dutta

Terms such as toxic, narcissistic, gaslighting and emotional abuse have become part of everyday language. At the same time, aggression, misogyny, hate speech, cruelty towards animals and increasingly hostile public conversations seem more visible than before. This raises an important question: Are toxicity and narcissistic behaviour actually increasing, or are we simply becoming more aware of behaviours that have always existed? From a psychological perspective, the answer may be a combination of both. Narcissism and the Need for Validation Narcissism exists on a spectrum. Wanting appreciation, recognition or admiration is a normal human tendency. The concern arises when entitlement, an…

Every year, millions of students step into the fiercely competitive world of NEET and JEE, believing that one examination will determine the course of their lives. Particularly in the case of NEET, becoming a doctor is often viewed as far more than a career choice. For many Indian families, it represents prestige, financial security and the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Parents spend their savings on coaching institutes, relocate to unfamiliar cities and reorganise family life around preparation, convinced that success in a single examination will secure the future. As a clinical psychologist, however, I see another side of this…