The 10 Personality Disorders: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

This post is intended to list characteristics of personality disorders, causes & treatments.

*These are characteristics often observed in a personality disorder though every feature may not apply to each specific personality disorder. Appreciate what is of value to you in this post and leave the rest.

Individuals with a personality disorder often experience chronic, pervasive difficulty with relationships, impulse control, & emotions. The features may be present in childhood, often become prominent in teen years, but often a diagnosis is withheld until adulthood.

Typically, a personality disorder is in sync with one’s ego. Due to this the person may lack self-awareness and externalize the problems associated with their personality disorder. Personality disorders can co-occur.

In order for a diagnosis a person must exhibit difficulty in at least one of the four, (among other criteria specific to the personality disorder);

Distorted thinking
Problematic emotional responses
Over or under regulated impulse control
Interpersonal difficulties

Data supports that any person with a personality disorder is more likely to have a substance use disorder. Though, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate which is causing the other. Personality disorders should be diagnosed with caution.

Personality disorders are grouped into clusters based on common similarities;

Cluster A: Social withdrawal or awkwardness driven by distorted thinking

Cluster B: Dramatic, impulsive and emotional thinking/behavior

Cluster C: Driven by fear

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

[Cluster B]

Somewhat of a controversial diagnosis

A ‘narcissist’ is a term we hear A LOT. People will place this disorder on others or even self-diagnose themselves. It’s commonly accepted that there are subsets of this personality disorder that would include the more commonly socially accepted version of a narcissist, (though sub sets are not recognized in the DSM-5).

Someone who is often referred to as ‘narcissistic’ has traits of the personality disorder and may even obtain the diagnosis. Commonly, the traits are behavioral and created by environmental factors such as trauma, abuse, neglect, etc.

A person who does depict narcissistic traits or has narcissistic tendencies may not necessarily have a narcissistic personality disorder, though some recognize this personality disorder to be on a ‘spectrum’. This would imply that a ‘narcissist’ would fall on the less severe end of the spectrum.

Here Are Helpful Strategies to Deal With a Narcissist

You can take what is of use to you regarding this personality disorder & leave the rest.

Malignant narcissism is the most severe end of the spectrum of ‘narcissistic personality disorder’. As a mental health professional, I’ve only met a handful of people that had a malignant narcissistic personality disorder.

This is not to imply that someone society commonly refers to as a ‘narcissist’ is any more or less than, in any way & there is no clear line to differentiate the two, so feel free to share your perspective or experience on this disorder..

Remarkably Erich Fromm, who first coined the term malignant narcissism, called people with this type “the quintessence of evil.”

Though, ANY person with a personality disorder is not inherently bad, there are a combination of factors that come together regarding an person that can, but not always, indicate negative outcomes.

with that being said,

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

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Symptoms

Inflated sense of importance
More prevalent among those born as males
Deep need for admiration and attention
Troubled relationships
Lack of empathy

The term ‘narcissism’ originates from the Greek mythology of Narcissus. He was a young man known for his beauty and rejected all romantic advances. He fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water, then fixated on it until his death. Succeeding his death, in his place, grew a flower named Narcissus (daffodils belong to the same genus).

flower

Paradoxically may possess a fragile self esteem
May find relationships unfulfilling
See others as friend or foe
May feel empowered by causing others pain
Others may not enjoy being around them
Require constant attention
Preoccupied with fantasies about success or perfection
Believe they are superior

“For me to say I wasn’t a genius I’d just be lying to you and to myself.” Kayne West

Often retaliate when directly challenged
May take advantage of others
Behave arrogantly
Pretentious
Denial, will reject reality
Susceptible to suicidal thoughts
Often co-occurs with substance use disorder
Easily become impatient
Feel easily slighted
Try to belittle
Often depressed and moody
Secret feelings of shame and humiliation

Causes

Genetics, brain chemistry and environmental factors play a role. Caregivers may have lacked discipline, reinforcing maladaptive behaviors, inconsistent attention/approval from caregivers. Depending on the subset of this personality disorder, the origin can alter.

Treatment

Therapy > Medication

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT

Support groups | Help to understand how to relate to others, skill building for social and emotional responses

Group therapy | May find solace in others with environmental factors that contributed

Couples counseling | If this is a barrier within relationship, may help partners understand one another

Family therapy | Can support family members, help them become more supportive and more constructive

Medications | Most common are anti-anxiety, antidepressants & mood stabilizers, sometimes low doses of anti-psychotics can be useful in the treatment of narcissistic personality disorder

Antipsychotics | Antipsychotics can help control intense emotional responses in the treatment for narcissistic personality disorder

Mood Stabilizers | Lithium and Tegretol for example can help control abrupt or severe mood shifts

kanye

“I feel like I’m too busy writing history to read it.” Kanye West

Narcissistic Personality Disorder, 2022 Report

The 10 Personality Disorders: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are grouped into clusters based on common similarities;