discussion

Fromm’s concept of the syndrome of decay included three personality disorders: (1) necrophilia, or love of death; (2) malignant narcissism, or extreme self-interest; and (3) incestuous symbiosis, or a passionate devotion to one’s mother or a mother substitute. Fromm identified Adolf Hitler as the most conspicuous example of a person with the syndrome of decay. If Fromm’s conception is valid, one would see the syndrome of decay traits in contemporary personalities. Identify recent examples of well-known people with the syndrome of decay, including serial killers or heads of state who manifest the love of death. Pay special attention to malignant narcissism and incestuous symbiosis.