Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by extreme focus on oneself, and is a maladaptive, rigid, and persistent condition. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a pattern of self-centered or egotistical behavior that shows up in thinking and behavior in a lot of different situations and activities Narcissistic personality disorder is a serious emotional disturbance characterized by a grandiose, or extremely exaggerated, sense of self-importance. Narcissist Personality Disorder (NPD) is isolating, disenfranchising, painful, and formidable for those diagnosed with it and often those who are in a relationship with them. Individuals with this disorder lack empathy for other people but need constant admiration from them. Narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders, all of which reflect an inability in the affected person to accept the demands and limitations of the world. These disorders may regularly interfere with a person's behavior and interactions with family, friends or co-workers. Among the other personality disorders are paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder is a persistent inability to establish a realistic, stable self-image, therefore creating an overdependence on others to regulate their self-esteem. This unrealistic self-image affects how people with this disorder behave and interact with others.

Narcissistic personality disorder may be an infantile, defensive personality structure in response to abuse and trauma, usually developing in early childhood or early adolescence. Childhood developmental factors and parenting behaviors that may contribute to the disorder: Narcissistic personality disorder, which is less common than other personality disorders, is estimated to affect less than 1 percent of the general population. Narcissistic personality disorder may be a maladaptive defense of the abused child's or adolescent's emotional splitting, resultant cognitive distortions, and negative/hostile worldview. People with narcissistic personality disorder also have difficulty recognizing the needs and feelings of others, and are dismissive, contemptuous and impatient when others share or discuss their concerns or problems. They are also oblivious to the hurtfulness of their behaviour or remarks, show an emotional coldness and a lack of reciprocal interest, exhibit envy (especially when others are accorded recognition), have an arrogant, disdainful and patronizing attitude, and are quick to blame and criticise others when their needs and expectations are not met. People with narcissistic personality disorder tend to seek out individuals whom they perceive as equal to their own self-image or to whom they attribute the same special talents and qualities they see in themselves. They may insist on having "the best" of everything - car, athletic club or social circles.

Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Common Causes and Risk factors of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Infantile.
• Defensive personality structure in response to abuse and trauma.
• Unpredictable or unreliable caregiving from parents
• Severe emotional abuse in childhood
• Being praised for perceived exceptional looks or talents by adults
• Learning manipulative behaviors from parents

Signs and Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Sign and Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
• It is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
• Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
• Requires excessive admiration
• Haughty or arrogant behaviors
• Sense of belonging to an exclusive group of people who truly understand each other

Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Common Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• People with narcissistic personality disorder may be defensive about the process because they were compelled or encouraged to seek therapy by an employer or family member.
• Pharmacotherapy is rarely used, though there is one unofficially documented observation of therapeutic response with the atypical anti-depressant bupropion.
• Medication use is limited, but a doctor may recommend drugs to treat related symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.