Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

May 4, 2024

3 min read

Narcissism is a term that has been increasingly used casually and in pop culture. From TV references to books, blog posts, vlogs, and social media, the term has become somewhat of a buzzword.

While the increasing awareness of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can be viewed as a positive thing, as awareness of mental health disorders is often far too low, misusing the word and applying it casually to a negative or selfish personality can serve to bury and confuse the true meaning of this psychiatric word.

So what really is narcissism and NPD? How is it diagnosed and what are the signs of NPD? Is it treatable?

What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)?

NPD is a mental health condition that is characterized by an inflated opinion of oneself. Someone who is narcissistic may feel more important than other people.

People with NPD also exhibit a strong need for attention and for others to like them. When others don’t give them the attention or admiration they believe they deserve, they can become disappointed and unhappy.

Unlike the casual use of narcissism, NPD as a mental health term is more severe and always persistent. Therefore, someone who is selfish or boastful may not have NPD, although someone may casually describe them as narcissistic.

How is NPD diagnosed?

NPD is diagnosed when a person exhibits repeated patterns of grandiosity (a sense of superiority), lack of empathy, and need for praise that begins in childhood or early adulthood. 1% to 2% of people in the U.S. are believed to have NPD.

Furthermore, some people have covert narcissism, which makes it harder to notice or diagnose because they exhibit personality traits like low self-esteem and shyness.

NPD must be diagnosed by a mental health professional who will interview with the person. They’ll then be diagnosed if the mental health professional believes that the person shows enough signs and personality traits that are associated with NPD.

What are NPD personality traits?

Someone with NPD may exhibit the following traits:

Arrogance
Selfish and self-centered
Sense of self-importance
Entitled
Lack of empathy
Demanding
High self-esteem
A sense of superiority over others
A need to be admired
Boastful
Obsessed with achieving power and success
Impulsive

People with NPD usually encounter problems in relationships with others and may have problems at work and school. They may also try to exploit other people for their own benefit, which can strain relationships even further.

What are the types of NPD?

Research suggests that there may be three different types of narcissistic personality disorder:

Grandiose: Grandiose NPD is characterized by entitlement, arrogance, charm, a lack of empathy, and attention-seeking and exploitative traits.

Vulnerable: People with vulnerable NPD may be described as constantly envious and “thin-skinned” as they’re hypersensitive to criticism. However, they may also be shy and secretly hold feelings of grandiosity.

High-Functioning: High-functioning NPD is the most difficult to diagnose as it can be hard to tell that they have a personality disorder like NPD. They’re described as attention-seeking, grandiose, competitive, and sexually proactive.

What Causes NPD?

NPD is not genetic. People are not born with it and no gene is associated with NPD. Therefore, it’s believed to be a result of a person’s environment and upbringing, particularly experiences they’ve endured early in life.

Factors that may contribute to the development of NPD include:

Facing rejection as a child
Trauma or abuse
Excessive judgment by parents or caregivers
Excessive praise by parents or caregivers

What is the treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is a common treatment for people with NPD. This type of therapy is carried out by a mental health professional and aims to help patients better relate to other people in a positive way. It can be done alone or with a partner or family members.

While there aren’t any FDA-approved medications specifically for NPD, a mental health professional may prescribe medications such as mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, or antipsychotic medications.

If you believe you or someone you know has narcissistic personality disorder, you should seek a diagnosis and treatment from a mental health professional.

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