Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)- Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Overview

A narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have a high sense of self-importance. They seek attention and need everyone to admire them. People with such mental health conditions cannot understand others feelings.

People with a narcissistic personality disorder will have very high self-confidence. However, they will not be sure of their self-worth and will easily get upset by the slightest criticism they face.

A narcissistic person will face many problems in life, like in work, relationships, school and financial management. They tend to become unhappy and disappointed when not given any special favours or admiration. They believe they deserve all the special admiration, which can irritate others.

Additionally, they cannot be easily satisfied in any relationship and keep pointing out errors in what others do. People around a narcissistic person will not enjoy their company and will feel distressed.

According to research, narcissistic personality disorder affects males when compared to females. The mental health condition usually starts in teenage or early adulthood. However, some kids will show traits of narcissism, but this can be normal for their age, and this does not mean they will develop a narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissism is considered as one of the ten personality disorders. The mental health condition can make people think and behave in such a way that they might hurt themselves and others.

Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder

The symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder will depend on the severity and can differ from one individual to other.

• They will have an unreasonably high sense of confidence and self-importance.
• They will require constant admiration.
• Except others to consider them superior even without achievements.
• They tend to make their achievements seem bigger than they are.
• They will think they are superior to everyone.
• They will always fantasize about brilliance, power, beauty and success. They tend to dream more about their perfect match.
• They tend to look down on people they think are unimportant.
• They expect people to do what they want without questioning them.
• They tend to take advantage of others and get their work done.
• Inability to understand others and recognise their needs.
• Envy others, and they believe that others envy them.
• Insist on having everything best. For example, the best car or office.
• Behave arrogantly and tend to brag a lot about their work.
• They will not be able to handle criticism and become impatient.
• Have problems while interacting with others and easily feel slighted.
• To make themself superior, they tend to belittle others and react with rage or contempt.
• Have difficulty managing their behaviour and emotions.
• They cannot easily adapt to any new change and cannot manage stress.
• Withdraw from a situation or task they think they might fail.
• When they fall short of perfection, they will feel depressed and moody.
• They will have a secret feeling of shame, insecurity, humiliation and fear of getting exposed for failing in a task.

Causes of narcissistic personality disorder

The cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown. The occurrence of narcissistic personality disorder is a combination of factors like

• Childhood trauma like verbal, physical and sexual abuse
• Genetics
• Hypersensitivity to noise, texture or light in childhood
• Personality and temperament

Diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder will be diagnosed by a mental health professional called a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. The diagnosis will be based on the questionnaires the professional gives you.

The questionnaire will contain a list of simple questions that will help understand the thoughts and feelings of the affected person. Additionally, a person can have multiple personality disorders, which can further make the diagnosis difficult.

The diagnosis will be based on the following criteria.

• The symptoms of the disorder and how they impact a person’s life.
• Physical examination to make sure there is no physical health condition that can impact your life.
• Thorough psychological examination, which includes the list of questionnaires.
• The symptoms should match the guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Depending on the symptoms, the treatment plan will be determined.

Treatment of narcissistic personality disorder

The treatment for narcissistic personality disorder is psychotherapy or talk therapy. Medicines will be prescribed in the treatment if the person has other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help with narcissistic personality disorder. Psychotherapy can help understand a person’s emotion and identifies the factors that distress and dislike other people.

• The treatment will also focus on accepting responsibility and will help to maintain a healthy relationship with people.
• Recognize abilities, potential and skill and help tolerate criticism or failures.
• The ability to understand and manage a person’s feelings.
• Help to handle issues related to self-esteem.
• Help to set realistic and reachable goals.

There is no specific medication for narcissistic personality disorder. However, if the disorder is assisted with anxiety, depression and anger issues, medication will be prescribed.

Risk factors and complications

Narcissistic personality disorder can run in families. So, if you have a parent with narcissistic personality disorder traits, you will have the risk factor of inheriting the disorder.

The major complication of the disorder is people will become more vulnerable to drugs and alcohol to cope with their emotional difficulties. There will be strong feelings towards suicidal thoughts and depression.

Prevention of Narcissistic personality disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder cannot be prevented. However, it can be managed with proper treatment.

Living with Narcissistic Personality Disorder

People with personality disorders can lead normal life with proper treatment and certain lifestyle changes. Additionally, keep in mind that treatment is crucial to come out of such disorders.

• Focus on the treatment and keep an open mind.
• Follow your treatment plan, and if any medications are prescribed, take them regularly.
• If you have the habit of alcohol and drugs, try to quit them and take treatment accordingly.
• Focus on your goals and have healthy rewards for each milestone you reach.

When to consult a doctor?

Consult your doctor if you have narcissistic personality disorder symptoms or if the disorder runs in your family. There is a chance for children to inherit the disorder if the parents have the disorder.

Before consulting your doctor, take a note of your symptoms and if the symptoms are triggered are by situations.

Conclusion

A narcissistic personality disorder is not a personality flaw and a mental health condition. People affected by the condition will require treatment to have a peaceful home and work relationship.

Additionally, people with the disorder do not do it on purpose because of their disorder. With proper treatment, the person can mend their relationship and gel along happy with others.

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