A few years ago, my uncle was clinically diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Of course, this was a devastating shock to our family. We had so many questions. Is the disorder genetic? How can NPD be treated? What do we do now?
Since my uncle’s diagnosis, I have gathered facts about this uncommon disorder in an attempt to help others who may not understand the illness, or are wanting to know more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment opportunities available for those who have, or know someone with NPD.
Definition
Narcissistic personality disorder is defined as a disorder that causes an individual to be overly preoccupied with the self. An individual with narcissistic personality disorder is often viewed by others as cocky, arrogant, self-centered, and manipulative. The disorder also prevents the ability to empathize with others.
Individuals that suffer from narcissistic personality disorder can also be seen as being overly self-absorbed since they tend to be concerned with ideal motives of success, power, and fame. The narcissist wants to appear as someone with high self-esteem on the surface. However, narcissists lack high esteem and are actually very fragile and insecure.
Due to the deep-rooted insecurity and fragility of narcissists, they tend to become very defensive when they feel that their self-esteem has been threatened. Narcissists are sensitive to the way others treat them. Therefore, they become aggressive when they feel that they have been ridiculed.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder include:
- · Take advantage of others in order to achieve their own selfish goals
- · React to criticism with rage, shame, or humiliation
- · Excessive feelings of self-importance
- · Exaggeration of talents and achievements
- · Preoccupied with unrealistic fantasies of success, power, intelligence, beauty, and love
- · Belief that one deserves special treatment
- · Need for constant attention and admiration
- · Inability to empathize with the feelings of others
- · Obsession with the self-interest
Causes
The causes of narcissistic personality disorder are unknown. There are some risk factors that may be responsible for the disorder. Some risk factors that may be related to narcissistic personality disorder begin during a narcissist’s childhood. During childhood, many narcissists were neglected, lacked praise and approval, emotional abuse,and unpredictable and unreliable caregiving.
Treatments
Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder is usually hard because narcissists tend to avoid therapy. However, treatment for narcissistic personality disorder can be the use of social groups or talk therapy. Psychotherapy is also used in order to help narcissists begin to empathize with others, and care about the feelings of others.
While it may be difficult to cope with the idea of a family member being diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is essential that the family members of the suffferer seek guidance from an experienced medical professional.
Sources
Risk Factors.” Mayo Clinic Staff. www.mayoclinic.com.
“Narcissistic Personality Disorder.” Psychology Today. Jan. 2010. www.psychologytoday.com.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors.” PubMed Health. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. November 14, 2010.
Reference:
- Personality Disorder Community www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/main/how-are-personality-disorders-diagnos
- Drugs, Diseases, and Procedures emedicine.medscape.com/article/294307-overview
