The American banking system is currently grappling with formidable challenges, as a result of multiple bank failures that have ensued since the Federal Reserve embarked on a program of raising interest rates one year ago. Based on historical data, financial crises have tended to __11__ approximately once per decade. Hence, given the passage of time, we may be at the cusp of an overdue __12__. The low-interest-rate environment and cyclical injections of __13__ by central banks since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 have served as a prop for the markets. __14__, the repercussions of hiking interest rates and constricting capital in the financial system have resulted in the deflation of housing bubbles, plummeting share prices, and significant losses for banks on their government bond holdings. Although the Bank of England has acted expeditiously, raising interest rates ten times in succession since December 2021, the Federal Reserve has been __15__ swift to respond. The current state of affairs is distinguished by three traditional indicators of an impending recession, which are a housing market slump, bank failures, and a rise in unemployment. Of these indicators, the first two have already transpired in the US.

(AB) as (AC) their (AD) multifaceted (AE) instability (BC) alienating

(BD) by (BE) those (CD) prone (CE) validation (DE) inflating

       Narcissistic personality disorder arises from a deeply ingrained instability in an individual’s identity and self-esteem. This __16__ can stem from insecure attachment to caregivers during infancy and childhood, which may be exacerbated by genetic predispositions that trigger narcissistic defenses when the individual is exposed to __17__ experiences in their environment. Individuals may exhibit emotional splitting, distorted object relations, etc.

       Narcissists rely on external __18__ for their self-esteem and can become reactive and engage in self-referentiality, cognitive distortions, and willful denial and projection. They lack morality and ethics, which can cause relational antagonism. These defenses protect __19__ fragile sense of self but can cause significant harm to others.

       The core issue for a narcissistic individual lies in the emotional splitting of the self into two distorted extremes: the worthless, inferior self and the special superior self. This creates an inferiority complex, which is compensated for __20__ the development of a superiority complex. Narcissistic individuals try to suppress any awareness of their inferior selves while __21__ and elevating their superior selves. They often struggle with internal vacillations between these two states, especially under stress, and subject others to the same idealizing and devaluing oscillations.

     Delusional grandiosity is another typical feature of narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissists are __22__ to feel emptiness and inferiority, which they try to overcome by indulging in delusions of superiority, special entitlement, and, in more extreme cases, omnipotent power and control. Although outsiders may see the narcissist’s grandiosity as delusional, it serves __23__ a means of psychic survival for the individual. Therefore, when others fail to reflect on what they wish to believe about themselves, they react with rage.

       In conclusion, narcissistic personality disorder is a/an __24__ mental illness that can have devastating effects on both the individual and those around them. Mental health professionals must understand the intricacies of this disorder to provide effective treatment and support to __25__ affected by it. It is crucial to acknowledge that the roots of narcissistic personality disorder are deep-seated and complex, and treatment for this disorder requires an individualized and comprehensive approach