Narcissism has roots in S. Freud work long before it was introduced in 1914. These roots are to be found in four directions: (1) the difficulties encounter when treating neurotic patient, (2) the discussion with Jung, and (3) Adler, and much more imporatant is Freud's interest in psychosis. Narcissism as introduced by S. Freud has a structural aspect opposing it to the libido investing the object, and a developmental one since the ego has to develop. With the second instinctual theory (1920) Freud left the question of the integration of the death instinct into the theory of narcissism. This was developped after his death, in particular by Herbert Rosenfeld, André Green and Eero Rechardt.

In this paper, the part of narcissism in the psychology of love is emphasized, showing how it makes it possible for both men and women to discover during adolescence the other as familiar.