Simile as a means of shaping the concept of narcissism in Dr. Ravani’s IT’S NOT YOU

https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v2i2.3716
Published: Dec 10, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study examines how simile functions as a central stylistic and cognitive device in shaping the concept of narcissism in Dr. Ravani’s It’s Not You, particularly in representing narcissistic abuse, emotional trauma, and recovery.

Research Methodology: The research employs a qualitative interpretive literary–stylistic approach. The primary corpus is Dr. Ravani’s It’s Not You, analyzed through simile identification, thematic classification, and theoretical interpretation using Cognitive Metaphor Theory, Narrative Identity Theory, and psychological trauma literature.

Results: The findings reveal that similes effectively translate abstract psychological phenomena into vivid experiential images. Similes depict the invisible mechanics of manipulation, the cyclical structure of narcissistic abuse, the emotional validation of victims, the fragile vulnerability behind narcissistic grandiosity, and the complexity of post-traumatic recovery. These figurative expressions enhance reader understanding, emotional resonance, and psychoeducational accessibility.

Conclusion: Simile operates not merely as a stylistic ornament but as a powerful cognitive, therapeutic, and narrative tool. Through simile, It’s Not You successfully bridges clinical explanation and emotional experience, fostering both intellectual insight and psychological validation for survivors of narcissistic abuse.

Limitation: This study focuses on a single self-help text and relies on interpretive analysis, limiting generalization across broader literary and clinical discourse.

Contribution: This research contributes to interdisciplinary studies by integrating cognitive linguistics, literary stylistics, and trauma psychology, highlighting the crucial role of figurative language in psychoeducational and therapeutic narratives.

Keywords:
1. Cognitive Metaphor Theory
2. Dr. Ravani
3. Emotional Abuse
4. Figurative Language
5. It’s Not You
6. Narcissism
7. Psychoeducation
8. Simile
9. Stylistic Analysis
10. Trauma Literature
Authors:
Kim Yuliya Sergeyevna
Uzbek State University of World Languages, Uzbekistan
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How to Cite
Sergeyevna, K. Y. (2025). Simile as a means of shaping the concept of narcissism in Dr. Ravani’s IT’S NOT YOU. Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(2), 167–177. https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v2i2.3716
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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): November
Articles
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References

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    Musolff, A. (2017). Metaphor and cultural cognition Advances in cultural linguistics (pp. 325-344): Springer.

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    Reijnierse, W. G., Burgers, C., Krennmayr, T., & Steen, G. J. (2019). Metaphor in communication: The distribution of potentially deliberate metaphor across register and word class. Corpora, 14(3), 301-326. doi:https://doi.org/10.3366/cor.2019.0176

    Schauer, M., Robjant, K., Elbert, T., & Neuner, F. (2020). Narrative exposure therapy.

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  2. Amalia, M. N. (2025). SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: METAPHOR, PROTOTYPE, AND MEANING ANALYSIS IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTIC STUDIES. Esteem Journal of English Education Study Programme, 8(1), 83-93. doi:https://doi.org/10.31851/esteem.v8i1.18021
  3. Anselme, P. (2015). Does reward unpredictability reflect risk? Behavioural Brain Research, 280, 119-127. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2014.12.003
  4. Beknazarova, U. U., Almautova, A. B., Yelemessova, S. M., & Abadildayeva, S. K. (2021). The cognitive function of a conceptual metaphor and its methodological foundations. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(3), 1312-1324. doi:https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.221633525552607
  5. Bellomare, M., Giuseppe Genova, V., & Miano, P. (2024). Gaslighting exposure during emerging adulthood: Personality traits and vulnerability paths. International Journal of Psychological Research, 17(1), 29-39.
  6. Boddy, C. R. (2011). Corporate psychopaths, bullying and unfair supervision in the workplace. Journal of business ethics, 100(3), 367-379. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0689-5
  7. Brison, S. J. (1999). Trauma Narratives and the Remaking. Acts of memory: Cultural recall in the present, 39.
  8. Burgers, C., Konijn, E. A., & Steen, G. J. (2016). Figurative framing: Shaping public discourse through metaphor, hyperbole, and irony. Communication theory, 26(4), 410-430. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/comt.12096
  9. Citron, F. M., & Goldberg, A. E. (2014). Metaphorical sentences are more emotionally engaging than their literal counterparts. Journal of cognitive neuroscience, 26(11), 2585-2595. doi:https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_00654
  10. Cowan, H. R., Mittal, V. A., & McAdams, D. P. (2021). Narrative identity in the psychosis spectrum: A systematic review and developmental model. Clinical Psychology Review, 88, 102067. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102067
  11. de Oliveira Silva Machado, M., Nunes da Fonseca, P., Guimarães Tannuss, A. D., do Nascimento Dias, D. G., & Soares Pereira, R. (2025). Gaslighting in Intimate Relationships: A Scoping Review. Ciencias Psicológicas, 19(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.22235/cp.v19i2.4477
  12. Demjén, Z. (2016). Laughing at cancer: Humour, empowerment, solidarity and coping online. Journal of Pragmatics, 101, 18-30. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2016.05.010
  13. Dimaggio, G. (2022). Treatment principles for pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 32(4), 408.
  14. Dorahy, M. J., & van der Hart, O. (2015). DSM–5’s posttraumatic stress disorder with dissociative symptoms: Challenges and future directions. Journal of trauma & dissociation, 16(1), 7-28. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2014.908806
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  16. Evans, G. J., Reid, G., Preston, P., Palmier-Claus, J., & Sellwood, W. (2015). Trauma and psychosis: The mediating role of self-concept clarity and dissociation. Psychiatry Research, 228(3), 626-632. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.053
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  22. Kocherhina, I. (2018). Types of emotional self-regulation of women who have suffered from psychological abuse in the family. The Journal of Education, Culture, and Society, 9(2), 81-92.
  23. Kövecses, Z. (2020). Extended conceptual metaphor theory: Cambridge university press.
  24. McAdams, D. P. (2018). Narrative identity: What is it? What does it do? How do you measure it? Imagination, cognition and personality, 37(3), 359-372. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0276236618756704
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  26. McNally, R. J. (2007). Betrayal trauma theory: A critical appraisal. Memory, 15(3), 280-294. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210701256506
  27. Miller, J. D., Back, M. D., Lynam, D. R., & Wright, A. G. (2021). Narcissism today: What we know and what we need to learn. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 30(6), 519-525. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/09637214211044109
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  29. Musolff, A. (2017). Metaphor and cultural cognition Advances in cultural linguistics (pp. 325-344): Springer.
  30. Papp, L. M. (2017). Intermittent reinforcement and dependency. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 6(34), 861–883.
  31. Reijnierse, W. G., Burgers, C., Krennmayr, T., & Steen, G. J. (2019). Metaphor in communication: The distribution of potentially deliberate metaphor across register and word class. Corpora, 14(3), 301-326. doi:https://doi.org/10.3366/cor.2019.0176
  32. Schauer, M., Robjant, K., Elbert, T., & Neuner, F. (2020). Narrative exposure therapy.
  33. Smith, T. (2004). Narrative and consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 11(5-6), 146-155.
  34. Stark, E., & Hester, M. (2019). Coercive control: Update and review. Violence against women, 25(1), 81-104. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801218816191
  35. Stolz, D. S., Vater, A., Schott, B. H., Roepke, S., Paulus, F. M., & Krach, S. (2021). Reduced Frontal Cortical Tracking of Conflict between Selfish versus Prosocial Motives in Narcissistic Personality Disorder. medRxiv, 2021.2003. 2001.21252656. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102800
  36. Sweet, P. L. (2019). The sociology of gaslighting. American sociological review, 84(5), 851-875. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122419874843
  37. Szentagotai-T?tar, A., Cândea, D.-M., & David, D. O. (2019). REBT and positive psychology Advances in REBT: Theory, practice, research, measurement, prevention and promotion (pp. 247-266): Springer.
  38. Tay, D. (2016). Using metaphor in healthcare. The Routledge Handbook of Metaphor and Language London: Routledge, 371-385.
  39. Webster, T. N. (2016). Childhood abuse types and adult relational violence mediated by adult attachment behaviors and romantic relational aggression in couples: Brigham Young University.
  40. Weinberg, I., & Ronningstam, E. (2022). Narcissistic personality disorder: Progress in understanding and treatment. Focus, 20(4), 368-377. doi:https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20220052
  41. Weiss, D. J., Lucas, T. C., Nguyen, M., Nandi, A. K., Bisanzio, D., Battle, K. E., . . . Rozier, J. A. (2019). Mapping the global prevalence, incidence, and mortality of Plasmodium falciparum, 2000–17: a spatial and temporal modelling study. The Lancet, 394(10195), 322-331.
  42. Wirtz, N., & Rigotti, T. (2020). When grandiose meets vulnerable: narcissism and well-being in the organizational context. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 29(4), 556-569. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2020.1731474