NPD: Narcisstic Personality Disorder

What is narcissistic personality disorder?

Narcissism is a term used to describe a focus on the self and self-admiration that is taken to an extreme. The word “narcissism” comes from a Greek myth in which a handsome young man named Narcissus sees his reflection in a pool of water and falls in love with it.

Narcissistic personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called dramatic personality disorders. People with these disorders have intense, unstable emotions, and a distorted self-image. Narcissistic personality disorder is further characterized by an abnormal love of self, an exaggerated sense of superiority and importance, and a preoccupation with success and power. However, these attitudes and behaviors do not reflect true self-confidence. Instead, the attitudes conceal a deep sense of insecurity and a fragile self-esteem. People with this personality disorder also tend to set unrealistic goals.

 

What are the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder?

In many cases, people with narcissistic personality disorder:

• Are self-centered and boastful
• Seek constant attention and admiration
• Consider themselves better than others
• Exaggerate their talents and achievements
• Believe that they are entitled to special treatment
• Are easily hurt but might not show it
• Might take advantage of others to achieve their goals

Other common traits of narcissistic personality disorder include the following:

• Preoccupation with fantasies that focus on unlimited success, power, intelligence, beauty, or love
• Belief that he or she is “special” and unique, and can only be understood by other special people
• Expectation that others will automatically go along with what he or she wants
• Inability to recognize or identify with the feelings, needs, and viewpoints of others
• Envy of others or a belief that others are envious of him or her
• Hypersensitivity to insults (real or imagined), criticism, or defeat, possibly reacting with rage, shame, and humiliation
• Arrogant behavior and/or attitude

 

What causes narcissistic personality disorder?

The exact cause of narcissistic personality disorder is not known. However, many mental health professionals believe it results from extremes in child rearing. For example, the disorder might develop as the result of excessive pampering, or when a child’s parents have a need for their children to be talented or special in order to maintain their own self-esteem. On the other end of the spectrum, narcissistic personality disorder might develop as the result of neglect or abuse and trauma inflicted by parents or other authority figures during childhood. The disorder usually is evident by early adulthood.

 

How is narcissistic personality disorder diagnosed?

If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical exam. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose personality disorders, the doctor might use various diagnostic tests—such as X-rays and blood tests—to rule out a physical illness as the cause of the symptoms.

If the doctor finds no physical reason for the symptoms, he or she might refer the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist, health care professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a personality disorder.

 

How is narcissistic personality disorder treated?

There is no known cure for narcissistic personality disorder, but psychotherapy (a type of counseling) might help the person learn to relate to others in a more positive and rewarding way. Psychotherapy tries to provide the person with greater insight into his or her problems and attitudes in the hope that this will change behavior. The goal of therapy is to help the person develop a better self-esteem and more realistic expectations of others. Medicine might be used to treat the distressing symptoms, such as behavioral problems, that might occur with this disorder.

 

What are the complications of narcissistic personality disorder?

People with narcissistic personality disorder might abuse drugs and/or alcohol as a way of coping with their symptoms. The disorder also might interfere with the development of healthy relationships with others.

 

What is the outlook for people with narcissistic personality disorder?

The prognosis depends on the severity of the disorder.

 

Can narcissistic personality disorder be prevented?

There is no known way to prevent narcissistic personality disorder.

 

References

Janowsky David, "Chapter 30. Personality Disorders" (Chapter). 

Ebert MH, Loosen PT, Nurcombe B, Leckman JF: CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Psychiatry, 2e: www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3289431.

Young John Q, "Chapter 26. Personality Disorders" (Chapter). 

Feldman MD, Christensen JF: Behavioral Medicine: A Guide for Clinical Practice, 3e: www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6441825. 

Mental Health America. Personality Disorders. www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/personality-disorders Accessed 8/29/2011

© Copyright 1995-2011 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.

 

Awat Cheq:

Patut laa...rasanya lepas 2 -3 kali cheq baca, cheq dah boleh 'cuba' maafkan depa agaknya. Macam kawan baik cheq kata..."Sah dan terbukti..sakit rupanya!'. So, kita yang tak sakit ni, walaupun kadang2 jiwa tak tenteram dibuat oleh depa ni..namun takkan lah kita nak marah orang sakit kan...

Kat kawan baik cheq tu..thank you so much la sebab bagitau ada penyakit nama lagu ni. Lepaih ni kalau depa buat lagi kat cheq, cepat2 cheq nak kata kat diri cheq..."Sakit rupanya..". So..org yg ada NPD ni..kira kategori orang Mental Disorder lah kan..takkan kita yg tak gila ni nak pi marah org gila...nama pun dah gila. Kalau depa waras..takkan nak buat kat orang sampai lagu tu kan...tak pa..tak pa..nak ampun  terus dosa tak boleh lagi la..tapi pelan-pelan cheq akan ampunkan dosa depa..insya'Allah...

Nak tergelak pon ada..nak tak berapa percaya dgn penyakit ni pon ada..manalah tau..kot2 saja buat2 gila kan...haishhhh..mcm2 ada...donia...donia...

Apapun..2 minggu ni cheq banyak tumpukan masa pd keluarga cheq. Baru cheq sedaq..akhirnya keluarga jugalah yg akan bersama cheq walaupun selama ni cheq sering abaikan depa..maafkan ibu tua ni ya puteri dan puteraku..muga Allah akan terus bagi kebahagiaan kat kita..ibu rindu kat abah..

Salam Maulidur Rasul buat semua. Muga sifat Nabi Muhammad, Rasullullah SAW yang akan terus menjadi ikutan kita...Insya'Allah.

As salam.