Everything You Need to Know About Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Do you know who is a Narcissist?

Have you seen a person who is evolved around his own world, A person who doesn’t care about others, all he cares is about himself?

If yes, then you should know that this person is suffering from a mental condition known as a Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

• A narcissist is a term used for a person who is always in his own world, who only cares about his needs and wants.
• A person is often unaware of his behavior and constantly seeks attention and admiration from others.
• This is a severe mental health condition wherein a person unknowingly hurts others' feelings without having any intentions.
• A person feels insecure and empty all the time and is not enough of whatever he wants.

Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissism is a common personality disorder that appears to be among one of 10 personality disorders.

There is no such cause identified for this disorder. In fact, there are many factors due to which NPD is caused such as,

• Physical and mental abuse.
• Genetics.
• Relationships
• Low self-esteem
• Bullied by someone in childhood.
• Work-life
• School/college

Common personalities traits/Characteristics of NPD

• Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
• Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
• Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
• Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
• Take advantage of others to get what they want
• Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
• Be envious of others and believe others envy them
• Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful, and pretentious

Types of Narcissism

Covert Narcissist:

• Covert Narcissists tend to be the exact opposite of what a basic behavior of a narcissist is.
• This kind of people doesn’t want other’s attention and compliment.
• They tend to be shyer and think that they are the ugliest person.

Cerebral Narcissist:

• Cerebral narcissists are the opposite of covert narcissists.
• They have their self-importance from their intellectual ability.
• And often think that they are smarter than everyone else.

Somatic Narcissist

• Somatic narcissists are more obsessed with their own physical appearance.
• They tend to judge people based on their physical appearance such as weight, looks, etc.
• And criticize others based on their appearance.

Spiritual Narcissist:

• As the word spiritual itself says that the spiritual narcissist uses religion to justify harmful behaviors to others.
• They claim to have a vision from God about someone else.
• And they use these things to hurt someone under the name of religious things.

Malignant narcissist:

• A malignant narcissist is a person who has both characteristics of narcissist personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
• They tend to be more superior and respond poorly to the smallest criticism.
• They are the most deeply affected personalities than the normal narcissist.

Can narcissistic personality disorder be diagnosed?

• Yes, it can be diagnosed but not like any other treatments. There is much more than the treatment.
• As we know that this disorder is nothing but a mental health condition, therefore it can be diagnosed by consultation and treatment by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
• They ask some questions or give you a questionnaire to determine whether you have symptoms of NPD or not.
• Your Psychiatrist will also figure out other mental health issues which are causing you NPD and after that, he will talk with you and give you some advice and suggestions to improve if you have symptoms.

How to know that you have narcissistic traits?

You can identify your behavior around everyone whether it is your home, office, and any other places you interact with people.

If you have some related symptoms, then you can get a consultation with the Psychiatrist.

He might ask you some questions and based upon that he will analyze and give you a better insight into how you feel and think.

Some of the tests include,

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

Complications of narcissistic personality disorder

There can be many complications in NPD some of them are as,

• You would be having anxiety and depression issues.
• Being vulnerable to alcohol and drugs.
• Feeling alone can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Role of family

You can tell your family members or close members in your relationships. And ask them for their support once they have realized the source of your behavior. They should know that it will take time to bring that change.

You can help them understand how NPD affects by the following ways,

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

Final thoughts

I have written this article to everyone out there who is suffering from NPD and the person who does not have NPD but their family members or close ones have NPD. Do not think that NPD is a personality flaw. When a person who has NPD does things that hurt others and damage relationships, but nothing is done purposely. It’s their insecure mind which manipulates them and makes them think that they are not better than anyone else. With good treatment and consultation, one can have a healthy life and boost their self-esteem.