9 Signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

What is a narcissistic personality disorder?

Narcissism refers to a personality trait characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy for others, and a constant need for admiration and attention. People with narcissistic traits often believe they are superior to others, crave attention and admiration, and are willing to exploit others to achieve their goals.
Narcissism is not the same as having healthy self-esteem or confidence. Instead, it refers to a pathological level of self-absorption that can lead to negative outcomes in both personal and professional relationships.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a more severe form of narcissism that can significantly impair a person’s ability to function in daily life. Symptoms of NPD include a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and interpersonal exploitative behavior. NPD is a diagnosable mental health condition, but not all people with narcissistic traits have NPD.

What causes narcissistic personality disorder?

The causes of narcissistic personality disorder are not entirely understood, but research suggests that a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors may play a role in its development.

Genetics may contribute to the development of narcissistic personality disorder, as certain personality traits and behaviors associated with the disorder may run in families. Environmental factors, such as childhood abuse or neglect, may also play a role in the development of the disorder. Additionally, some researchers believe that the cultural values of individualistic societies, which emphasize personal achievement and self-promotion, may contribute to the development of narcissistic personality traits.
It is important to note that not all individuals who have experienced these factors develop a narcissistic personality disorder, and the development of the disorder is likely influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

narcissistic behavior

How does a narcissist act?

It is the misfortune of a person who suffers from a narcissistic personality disorder in an advanced stage that his actions are very clear and reveal it quickly, and the main feature of the narcissist’s behavior is that he often does not see narcissism as a problem that needs treatment or a behavior that needs correction, but rather believes that his actions are normal and consistent with what he believes about himself.

Where the narcissist feels that he deserves special treatment from people, due to superior qualities in his form and himself, which are often overestimated, and his condescending view towards others leads to a decrease in his ability to sympathize with them. Failing others, not to succeed, but to appear more successful than others.

In addition to these general features of the narcissistic personality, it is necessary to consider the state of jealousy that is generated and intensified by the narcissist when he deals with more successful people, as he strives to belittle them by making a biased comparison between him and them.

Friends of Narcissists

Since our narcissistic friend believes in his uniqueness and distinction, he must search for distinguished relationships with certain social groups, where the person with narcissistic personality disorder takes care of choosing his friends or life partner in accordance with his perceptions of himself.

This does not necessarily negate the existence of relationships between the narcissist and ordinary people or from lower classes, but all of his relationships are based on enhancing self-satisfaction by approaching the higher classes to satisfy his vanity and dealing with lower classes only because they are inferior and to maintain his sense of superiority!

What Are the Treatments for Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a complex mental health condition that is challenging to treat. While there is no cure for NPD, there are several treatment options available that can help individuals with NPD manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Some of the treatment options for NPD include:

Psychotherapy:

Therapy can help treat NPD. Different approaches may be used, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or group therapy. Therapy can help individuals with NPD identify and work on underlying emotional issues and patterns of behavior that contribute to their symptoms.

Medication:

While there is no medication specifically approved for the treatment of NPD, medication may be prescribed to manage co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression that can worsen NPD symptoms.

Self-help and support groups:

Some individuals with NPD may find it helpful to participate in self-help or support groups, such as Narcissistic Abuse Recovery groups, that provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive support from others.

It’s important to note that individuals with NPD may resist seeking help or feel that they don’t need it. Encouragement from family and loved ones, and the support of a mental health professional, can be important in getting individuals with NPD to seek and engage in treatment.