Footsteps To Freedom

Below are definitions, cases, signs, symptoms, and treatment about

Narcissistic personality disorder. This information has been gathered from Mayo Clinic, helpguide.org, nih.gov, psycho central and the Cleveland Clinic.

These professionals have studied this mental illness, personality disorders and

Narcissistic personality disorder. Also called d

A disorder in which a person has an inflated sense of self-importance.

Narcissistic personality disorder is found more commonly in men. The cause is unknown but likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms include an excessive need for admiration, disregard for others’ feelings, an inability to handle any criticism, and a sense of entitlement.

The disorder needs to be diagnosed by a professional. Treatment involves talk therapy.

Fewer than 200,000 US cases per year

Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured

Requires a medical diagnosis

Lab tests or imaging not required

Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong

12 signs of narcissism

• Superiority and entitlement. The world of the narcissist is all about good-bad, superior-inferior, and right-wrong. …
• Exaggerated need for attention and validation. …
• Lack of responsibility—blaming and deflecting. …
• Lack of boundaries. …
• Lack of empathy. …
• Emotional reasoning. …
• Splitting. …
• Fear.

What are the 5 main habits of a narcissist?

Let’s look at five of the most common characteristics of a narcissist in order to create awareness.

• Inflated Ego. Those who suffer from narcissism usually seem themselves as superior to others. …
• Lack of Empathy. …
• Need for Attention. …
• Repressed Insecurities. …
• Few Boundaries.

More Signs of Narcissism

• Sense of Entitlement. A common sign of people with narcissism is the belief that they are superior to others and deserve special treatment. …
• Manipulative Behavior. Another common trait of narcissism is manipulative or controlling behavior. …
• Need for Admiration. …
• Lack of Empathy.
• Narcissistic personality disorder — one of several types of personality disorders — is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
• A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school, or financial affairs. People with narcissistic personality disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they’re not given the special favors or admiration, they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships unfulfilling, and others may not enjoy being around them.

Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder centers around talk therapy Symptoms

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:

• Become impatient or angry when they don’t receive special treatment
• Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted
• React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior
• Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior
• Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change
• Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection
• Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability, and humiliation

What causes narcissistic personality disorder?

The exact cause of NPD is not known. The disorder may result from a combination of factors that include:

• Childhood trauma (such as physical, sexual, and verbal abuse).
• Early relationships with parents, friends, and relatives.
• Genetics (family history).
• Hypersensitivity to textures, noise, or light in childhood.
• Personality and temperament.

What are narcissistic traits (characteristics)?

Healthcare providers diagnose NPD when you have at least five of the following characteristics:

• Overinflated sense of self-importance.
• Constant thoughts about being more successful, powerful, smart, loved or attractive than others.
• Feelings of superiority and desire to only associate with high-status people.
• Need for excessive admiration.
• Sense of entitlement.
• Willingness to take advantage of others to achieve goals.
• Lack of understanding and consideration for other people’s feelings and needs.
• Arrogant or snobby behaviors and attitudes.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How is narcissistic personality disorder diagnosed?

A mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist (psychotherapist) can determine if you have key symptoms of NPD. Your psychotherapist will give you questionnaires and then talk with you.

You’ll go over what’s causing you distress. The focus will be on long-term patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving, and interacting with others. Your psychotherapist will also identify and rule out any other mental health conditions.

Can I take a test to see if I have narcissistic traits?

Your psychotherapist may give you personality tests to see if you have narcissistic traits. The tests are just questions you answer honestly. They give your psychotherapist better insight into how you think and feel. Tests include:

• Personality diagnostic questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4).
• Millon clinical multiaxial inventory III (MCMI-III).
• International personality disorder examination (IPDE).

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

Is there a treatment for narcissism?

Long-term counseling is the primary treatment for NPD. It helps you gain greater insight into your problems and learn what changes you can make to:

• Relate to others in a positive and rewarding way.
• Develop healthy self-esteem.
• Have more realistic expectations of others.

Your psychotherapist may also recommend medications to treat symptoms like anxiety and depression. Medications include:

• Antidepressants: These medications treat depression. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class of drugs has fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRI medications include fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine.
• Mood stabilizers: To reduce mood swings, your provider may prescribe a mood-stabilizing drug such as lithium.
• Antipsychotic drugs: This type of medication can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Aripiprazole and risperidone are two kinds of antipsychotic drugs.

What are the complications of narcissistic personality disorder?

Without treatment for NPD, you can have trouble maintaining positive relationships at work and home. You might also be more vulnerable to abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with difficult emotions. Also, feeling alone can lead to deep depression and suicidal thoughts.

PREVENTION

How can I avoid becoming a narcissist?

If one of your parents had NPD, you have a slightly higher risk of developing it. But experts believe heredity is just one of a combination of factors that lead to NPD. If you’re concerned you or a loved one may have NPD, talk to a mental health professional.

OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS

Can people with narcissistic personality disorder get better?

Starting counseling is half the battle with NPD. When you have the disorder, your self-esteem is fragile, and criticism hurts you easily. Fear of criticism can keep you from getting the help you need.

Willingness to change is vital. With counseling, you can start to change your thought patterns, which changes your behavior. Over time, those changes can improve the quality of your relationships and life.

LIVING WITH

What can my family do to help?

Living with or having a close relationship with someone who has NPD is challenging. Learning about the disorder can be eye-opening for your friends and family. They may have more compassion once they realize the source of your behavior. They should also know that it’s going to take time to see noticeable changes in your behavior.

Other steps your loved ones can take to understand NPD and how it affects them include:

• Couples therapy.
• Family counseling.
• Individual counseling.
• Support groups.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Remember, NPD isn’t a personality flaw. It’s a mental health condition. When you have NPD, you do or say things that rub others the wrong way and damage relationships. Usually, this isn’t on purpose. It’s driven by deep-seated insecurity — feeling like you’re not good enough — and the need for people to think that you’re worthy. With treatment, you can learn healthy ways to boost your self-esteem and get along better with others.

Over the past several months, I have experienced and researched this disorder and found it to be disturbing. It causes even the most intelligent, joyful person to sink into a depth of anger, dissolution, and emptiness. Although these professionals say there is treatment for this disorder, a narcissist will not seek treatment because they don’t believe there is anything wrong with them.

I am grateful for the education and the professionals that have spent their time to explain this mental illness. I hope this information can help someone.

Researchers say this is a rare disorder. I hope it is. If you find yourself in a relationship with narcissist, your life will be turned upside down and your life will be constant chaos. Being involved with a narcissist will make you second guess any decision you made about relationships or even love.

Narcissists remind me of actors. As soon as the cameras start running or there is a platform, i.e., Facebook, Instagram, a small gathering of people, it’s lights, camera, action! Perform for the cameras!! Let everyone know how great you are!

You will never find a narcissist giving you any credit for anything, unless of course, it benefits them or make them look good. They live in world where their ego must be fed, and they are perfect. They inundate your texts and engage in mindless conversations that berates and demeans you.

It does not matter how many times you try and compromise and try and make things work, it never will. Never! Get out and stay out. No relationship is worth your sanity or self-respect.