Narcissism is properly viewed on a spectrum. Traits are normally distributed in the population, with most people scoring near the median and some near extremes. In 1979 The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), developed by, Robert Ruskin and Calvin S. Hall is the most widely used measure of the trait.
A narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need a lot of attention and want and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of overconfidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism.
A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school, or financial matters. People with narcissistic personality disorder can often become depressed and frustrated when they are not given special favors or praise that they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships frustrating and unfulfilling, and other people may not enjoy being around them.
Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder centers around talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy.
A narcissistic personality disorder affects men more than women, and it often begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Some children may show signs of narcissism, but this is often typical for their age and does not mean they will develop a narcissistic personality disorder.
Symptoms of Narcissism
The symptoms of narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder and how severe they are can vary. People with the disorder may:
- Has an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and a constant, overwhelming need for praise.
- Realize that they deserve special honors and special treatment.
- Expect to be considered the best even without accomplishments.
- Showcase achievements and talents greater than yourself.
- Engage in fantasies about success, power, talent, beauty, or the perfect partner.
- Believe that they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by similarly special people.
- Be critical and look down on people they think are not important.
- Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without question.
- Take advantage of others to get what they want.
- Inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
- Be jealous of others and believe that others are jealous of them.
- Do obnoxious things, brag a lot, and be cocky.
- Insist on having the best – for example, the best car or office.
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At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they view as critical. they can do:
- Become impatient or angry when special recognition or treatment is not given.
- Has major problems interacting with others and feels easily neglected.
- React with anger or contempt and try to put other people down in order to make yourself appear superior.
- Have difficulty managing their emotions and behavior.
- Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change.
- Withdraw or avoid situations in which they may fail.
- Feel sad and moody because they lack perfection.
- There are hidden feelings of insecurity, shame, humiliation, and fear of being exposed as a failure.
When to see a doctor
People with narcissistic personality disorder may not want to think that anything could go wrong, so they usually don’t seek treatment. If they do seek treatment, it is more likely to be a symptom of depression, drug or alcohol abuse, or another mental health problem. What they see as an insult to self-esteem may be difficult to accept and follow through with treatment.
If you recognize aspects of your personality that are common to narcissistic personality disorder or you are feeling overwhelmed by depression, consider contacting a trusted healthcare provider or mental health provider. Getting the right treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable.
