Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Meaning of Narcissistic personality disorder

We sometimes meet persons who are crazy with the self and gives a large amount of importance thereto. They have great expectations of social favors and constant attention for others. They feel that they're very special in brilliance, power and, beauty, and cash in of others. They consider themselves somehow different from others and deserving special treatment. They show extreme self-importance. They have an inability to empathize with others and increased sensitivity to criticism. Self-involvement and lack of empathy characterize this mental disorder. In narcissistic personality disorder this tendency is extreme. Narcissistic personality disorder is a pervasive disorder. Self-centeredness, lack of empathy, and an exaggerated sense of self-importance are its features.

Narcissistic personality disorder is also called a dramatic personality disorder. People with these disorders have intense emotions and distorted self-image. A narcissistic personality disorder is further characterized by an abnormal love of self. An exaggerated sense of superiority and importance are also its features. And it also has a preoccupation with success and power. Yet, these attitudes and behaviors do not reflect true self-confidence. Instead, attitudes conceal a deep sense of insecurity and the fragile self-esteem. Some of the common features of a narcissistic type person are:

 Inability to listen to others, and

 Lack of awareness of another person’s deadlines, time frames, or interests.

 Inability to admit the wrong things, even when presented with evidence

of their ‘wrong’ behavior.

 Insensitive or extra practical responses to interpersonal relationships,

 A way of distance, or a matter of facts in emotions.

 are often susceptible to severe forms of anger.

 Has the ability to cut friends off forever, over one perceived or actual

transgression.

 Pride in the achievements of children if they have them, often combined with

an extra developed desire for control over their directions and activities.

 Extra interest in social class and importance is also seen.

Recently, some psychiatrists have divided narcissistic patients into two subcategories based on age:

i) those that suffer from the stable sort of personality disorder described

by DSM-IV-TR, and

ii) younger adults whose narcissism is often corrected by life experiences.

Diagnostic Features of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

DSM-IV-TR specifies nine diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder. For the psychiatrists to make the diagnosis, a person must fit five or more of the following:

They have a great feeling of self-importance.

They live in a dream world of rare success, power, beauty, genius, or “perfect” love.

They think of themselves as “unique” or furnished,

They can only be got by other unique or high-status personalities.

They demand excessive amounts of admiration from others.

They feel entitled to involuntary attention and positive treatment from others.

They are exploitative towards other characters and takes advantage of them.

They lack understanding and do not remember or identify with others’ feelings.

They are very jealous of others or think that they are jealous of them.

They “have an attitude” or many times behave in superior or arrogant ways.

Subtypes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Millon (1996) identified five subtypes of a narcissist. Any single narcissist may show none or one of the following:

i) Unprincipled narcissist including antisocial characteristics:

Such an Unprincipled narcissist will be a fake, exploitative, dishonest, and selfish person.

ii) Amorous narcissist including dramatic features:

Such an Amorous narcissist will be an erotic, exhibitionist.

iii) Compensatory narcissist:

This includes negativistic (passive-aggressive), avoidant characteristics.

iv) Elitist narcissist:

This is an alternative of pure pattern. Corresponds to the “phallic

narcissistic” personality type.

v) Fanatic type including paranoid features:

It is a severe narcissistic person. Usually with major paranoid behavior and who holds onto an illusion of power.

Some have suggested the following subcategories of narcissistic personalities:

i) Craving narcissists:

These are people who feel needy and undernourished. And may well appear clingy or demanding to those around them.

ii) Paranoid narcissists:

This type of narcissist feels intense contempt for him- or herself. But it projects it outward onto others. Paranoid narcissists often drive other people away from them. Because of hypercritical and jealous comments and behaviors.

iii) Manipulative narcissists:

These people enjoy “putting something over” on others. They also enjoy obtaining their feelings of superiority by manipulating others.

iv) Phallic narcissists:

Almost all narcissists in this subgroup are male. They tend to be aggressive, athletic, and exhibitionistic. They enjoy showing off their bodies, clothes, and strength

Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

The specific cause of narcissistic personality disorder is not known. Researchers have classified some factors that may contribute to this disorder.

Childhood experiences:

Parental overindulgence,

Excessive praise,

Unreliable parenting, and

A lack of realistic responses assumed to contribute to this disorder.

Although researchers today do not know what exactly causes narcissistic personality disorder. there are many theories, but, about the possible causes of narcissistic personality disorder.

The adult narcissist possesses a grand view of the self. But they have a conflict-ridden psychological dependence on others. Some therapists do not agree with their explanation of the central flaw in this disorder. Some think that the problem is emotional while others see it as the result of a distorted brain.

Other theorists state that a person with this disorder has an “empty” or greedy sense of self. While others argue that the narcissist has a “disorganized” self. Still, others think the main problem is the narcissist’s failure to test reality. And also the failure of the creation of an accurate view of self.

Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

It is necessary to note that people with this disorder rarely try out the treatment. People often begin therapy at the insistence of family members. Also, to treat symptoms that result from the disorder. Therapy of the person suffering from a narcissistic personality disorder is hard. Because they are often unwilling to acknowledge this disorder. Also, these patients criticize and devalue their therapists. So this makes it difficult for therapists to work with them. Narcissistic personality disorder treatment focuses on psychotherapy. There are no specific medications used to treat narcissistic personality disorder. Medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be helpful. In case the person has symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other conditions.

Psychotherapy helps the person learn to relate to others in a more positive way. Psychotherapy tries to give the person with a greater perception of his or her problems. They do this in the hope that this will change their behavior. The goal of therapy is to help the person develop better self-esteem. And more realistic expectations of others also.

Medication is some times used to treat the distressing symptoms. Such as behavioral problems, that might happen with this disorder. Several different approaches to individual therapy also tried with narcissistic personality disorder patients. Most of them cannot form a deep bond with a therapist to allow the healing of early childhood injuries. Other forms of psychotherapy that may be helpful for narcissistic personality disorder include:

i) Cognitive-behavioral therapy:

Cognitive-behavioral techniques are often effective to help individuals change destructive thinking. And they also help to change behavior patterns. The goal of treatment is to change twisted ideas and create a more realistic self-image. In general, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs. And behaviors also and replace them with healthy, positive ones.

ii) Family therapy:

It is a type of group therapy. In which the members of the family of the patient all take part in group treatment sessions. The basic idea is that the whole family has to take part in therapy. It is not only the individual patient who has to change behavior to solve the problem. All family members made joint efforts to explore conflicts in family therapy. Communication among family members and problem-solving help cope with problems in relationships.

iii) Group therapy:

Group therapy, in which the client meets with a group of people with similar conditions. That may be helpful by teaching him to relate better with others. This may be good for the client to learn about actually listening to others. And learning about their feelings and offering support also. The goal is to help the patient develop a healthy personality. So that the patient can acknowledge others as separate persons. Also to decrease the need for self-defeating coping mechanisms.

The first step toward developing a working group is empathy. This comes with surprise and hurt. The patient experience all this as a result of confrontations within the group. The external structuring that group therapy provides can control destructive behavior.

In groups,

a) the therapist is less authoritative and threatening to the patient’s character,

b) force of the emotional experience is less and

c) regression is more manageable,

d) create a better setting for confrontation and interpretation.

Because personality characteristics can be difficult to change, therapy may take many years.

The short-term goal of psychotherapy for a narcissistic personality disorder is to find problems as-

substance abuse, depression, low self-esteem, or shame. The longterm goal is to reshape the personality. At least to some extent, so that the person can alter patterns of thinking. That distorts his self-image and creates a realistic self-image.

Psychotherapy can also help the individual to learn to associate better with others. So that his relationships are more intimate, pleasant, and satisfying. It can help the person to understand the causes of his emotions. Like what drives him to compete and to distrust others. Sometimes to despise himself and others also.

Narcissistic patients usually enjoy the attention they receive through engagement in the treatment. Therapists pay close attention to them in therapy. They will find them active participants in the recovery process.