The narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by an extreme tendency to appreciate oneself, consider oneself different and feel worthy of special treatment.
These people often feel that they deserve special treatment, consider themselves overly important, and because they care so much about themselves, they lack compassion for other people..
The characteristic grandeur of these people -fantasies of greatness- generates some negative attributes such as not feeling comfortable if nobody is looking at them, constantly needing attention, exploiting others for their own benefit, they are often depressed because they cannot be at the level of their own. expectations, are often envious of successful people or have little empathy.
Article index
1 Symptoms
2 Causes
3 Subtypes of narcissistic disorder
4 Diagnosis
4.1 Diagnostic criteria according to DSM-IV
5 Treatment
5.1 Medication
6 Forecast
7 Complications
8 References
Symptoms
A person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is often vain, pretentious, and exaggerates their abilities. Normally monopolizes conversations, looks at others as inferior and if he does not receive special treatment, he can become angry or impatient..
In addition, he usually looks for the best of everything; the best house, the best education, the best car, the best clothes ... On the other hand, it is often difficult for you to accept criticism and you may have feelings of vulnerability, insecurity or shame.
To feel better, you can humiliate others and treat them with contempt, or you can become depressed because your expectations are not met. The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for NPT include these characteristics:
Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance.
Expect to be recognized as superior even when your achievements do not deserve it.
Exaggerate achievements and talents.
Being preoccupied with fantasies about power, success, or beauty.
Believe to be superior and that you can only relate to the same people.
Need constant admiration.
Expect special favors.
Taking advantage of others to get what you want.
Poor empathy.
Believe that others envy you and be envious of others.
Behaving in an arrogant manner.
Causes
Although the causes are not well understood, genes are known to play an important role (about 50%). However, the environment and personal experiences also have an important influence..
Some hypotheses are:
Groopman and Cooper (2006) made a list of factors identified by various researchers:
A hypersensitive temperament from birth.
Excessive admiration that is never balanced by realistic feedback.
Excessive praise for good behaviors or excessive criticism for bad behaviors in childhood.
Overvaluation by parents or other family members.
Be praised for exceptional appearance or abilities.
Severe emotional abuse in childhood.
Unpredictable or unreliable parental care.
Learn manipulative behaviors from parents or peers.
Valued by parents as a means of regulating their own self-esteem.
Recent research has identified structural abnormalities in the brains of people with NPD, specifically a smaller volume of gray matter in the left anterior insula (this region is related to compassion, empathy, emotional regulation and cognitive functioning).
Subtypes of narcissistic disorder
The psychologist Theodore Millon identified five subtypes of narcissistic people. However, there are few variants of any of the subtypes, and they are not recognized by the DSM..
Sexually seductive: Attractive, seductive, seductive, talkative and intelligent, indulges in hedonistic desires, lies and pathological scam.
Compensatory narcissist (includes negativistic and avoidant characteristics): seeks to counteract feelings of inferiority and lack of self-esteem, illusions of superiority.
Elitist narcissist (Variant of the pure pattern): Seeks advantages by associating with people of high status, seeks a good life, feels privileged, believes that they have achieved great achievements.
Diagnosis
Narcissistic personality disorder is diagnosed based on:
Signs and symptoms.
Psychological evaluation (interviews or questionnaires).
A physical exam to make sure there are no physiological problems causing the symptoms.
Diagnostic criteria according to DSM-IV
A general pattern of grandiosity (in imagination or behavior), a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy that begins in early adulthood and occurs in various contexts as indicated by five (or more) of the following items:
Has a great sense of self-importance (exaggerates achievements and capabilities, expects to be recognized as superior without proportionate achievements).
Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, imaginary power, brilliance, beauty, or love.
Believe that you are "special" and unique and that you can only be understood by, or can only relate to, other people (or instructions) who are special or of high status.
Demand excessive admiration.
It's very pretentious.
Is interpersonally exploitative.
Lacks empathy.
Frequently envies others or believes that others envy him.
Presents arrogant or arrogant behaviors or attitudes.
Treatment
The first line of treatment for NPT is cognitive behavioral therapy. Personality traits are difficult to change, so therapy can take a long time. Important areas of change are:
Learn to relate better with others, work on social skills.
Improve empathy.
Understand the way of thinking and causes of the emotions that provoke narcissistic behavior.
Maintain personal relationships and learn to collaborate.
Recognize the real competence and potential to tolerate criticism and failure.
Increase the ability to understand and control emotions.
Improve self esteem.
Release the desire to achieve unattainable goals.
Medication
There are no drugs specifically used for NPT. However, anxiolytics or antidepressants can be used to treat other conditions such as depression or anxiety..
Forecast
The progress of people with PND depends on:
The severity of the disorder.
The moment the treatment begins.
The person's current personal relationships.
If there is a history of childhood abuse.
Whether or not to receive treatment.
Complications
If left untreated, TNP can lead to several complications in a person's life:
Depression.
Problems at work or school.
Difficulties in personal relationships.
Alcohol or drug abuse.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
References
Millon, Theodore (1996). Disorders of Personality: DSM-IV-TM and Beyond. New York: John Wiley and Sons. p. 393. ISBN 0-471-01186-X.
Brummelman, Eddie et al. (March 2015), “Origins of narcissism in children”, PNAS 112 (10), doi: 10.1073 / pnas.1420870112.
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