Narcissistic Personality Disorder symptoms and causes

What does a narcissist mean?

A narcissist meaning is someone who is self-obsessed or self-centred. Narcissism, or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is a serious mental illness that many people are unaware of.

A diagnosis of NPD can cause people to view you as just concerned with your wants and requirements or a constant need for praise. Even if this is the case, you may be filled with a sense of emptiness inside. Narcissistic people have difficulty connecting with others or feeling good about themselves. Your family, friends, and coworkers could be affected by it.

What is NPD?

Those who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated sense of their own significance, a profound need for excessive attention and praise, difficult narcissistic relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. This mask of confidence hides weak self-esteem that is easily damaged by even the tiniest of criticism in covert narcissistic behaviour.

Having a narcissistic personality disorder can harm a person’s life in a wide range of ways. As a result, the treatment of NPD is sometimes complicated by the presence of other psychiatric diseases. Suicide and suicidal attempts are also at an increased risk because of this, and a medical expert should be consulted in narcissistic behaviour.

Types of Narcissism

1. Grandiose Narcissism

They were probably treated as if they were superior or above the rest of the population as children. As infants grow older, they may carry over some of these expectations. They are prone to boasting and becoming elitist.

Those who suffer from grandiose narcissism tend to be aggressive, domineering, and overconfident. Narcissistic people have a strong sense of self-worth and aren’t particularly empathetic.

2. Vulnerable Narcissism

Childhood neglect or abuse is often to blame for this type of narcissistic behaviour. Those who engage in this type of activity are extremely vulnerable. They use narcissism to shield themselves from emotions of inadequacy. When others don’t treat them as if they’re exceptional, they become irritated or frightened.

Causes

Narcissistic behaviours are harmful conditions whose causes are unknown. Many cases of NPD, however, are thought to be caused by inherited genetic abnormalities. Environmental elements that may play a role include:

• child maltreatment or neglect in a narcissistic relationship
• excessive parental concern can result in covert narcissistic behaviour
• parents’ unreasonable sexual promiscuity expectations (often accompanies narcissism)
• cultural effects

Narcissist symptoms

For those suffering from NPD, the way they see themselves can differ greatly from how others see them. The common signs of a narcissist

• A person who craves admiration and attention
• Suffering from low self-esteem and disappointment in the absence of compliments
• Having a massively high sense of one’s own importance 
• Being too close to other people, especially those with high social standing or income, and displaying this intimacy
• Overestimation of one’s abilities and achievements
• Being apathetic toward the accomplishments of others
• An obsession with achieving one’s goals, gaining control of one’s life, or finding the perfect partner
• That they are extraordinary and that only a select few can appreciate it
• Taking advantage of others to achieve one’s own aims because of a sense of entitlement
• Lacking empathy for the feelings and needs of those around you.
• Thinking that other people are jealous of them and feeling that way
• Behaving arrogantly to other people
• Charmed but irritated or enraged in a matter of seconds
• Talking a lot about their conditions and problems but not paying attention to the problems of other people
• Aggressiveness when confronted with a danger to their self-esteem.

Other signs of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder may be less visible when it comes to narcissism, such as:

• being disappointed, a feeling of shame, humiliation, and emptiness
• worry of failure that prevents you from trying something new.
• connections are challenging to keep
• a feeling of isolation and emotional separation from others
• Overconfidence led to high achievement, but the performance was disturbed when faced with defeat or criticism.
• suspiciousness
• withdrawal from social situations
• emotions are tough to control

Narcissistic behaviour can be accompanied by other conditions such as depression and anorexia.

Diagnosis

While the narcissistic behaviours listed above are examples of how people with NPD behave, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria are used to make a clinical diagnosis of NPD. A person is diagnosed with NPD if they exhibit at least 5 of the following 9 characteristics:

• A sense of self-importance that is excessive.
• A fantasy of limitless success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
• A conviction that they are unique and should only associate with or understand other special or high-status persons or organisations.
• Excessive adoration is required.
• Unreasonable expectations of favourable treatment or automatic compliance with their demands, as well as a sense of entitlement.
• An inclination to take advantage of others to further one’s own goals.
• A lack of empathy and a refusal to understand or identify with other people’s feelings and needs.
• Others’ envy and the perception that others are envious of them.
• Behaviours or attitudes that are arrogant or haughty.

Signs of a narcissist can range from moderate to severe.

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Treatment

1. Psychotherapy

Talk therapy, which is also known as psychotherapy, is the primary treatment for NPD. Medications may be used to treat both NPD and depression or another mental health illness if symptoms of both are present. NPD, on the other hand, does not respond to medicine.

Your relationships will be more fun, intimate, and fulfilling with the help of talk therapy than narcissistic relationships. Many aspects of one’s life can be improved if one has positive relationships with others. Talk therapy can also teach you:

• Increase the effectiveness of your interactions with coworkers and peers
• Ensure that you keep up with your personal connections.
• Understand your strengths and potential
• Recognize and regulate your emotions.
• Cope with any self-esteem difficulties that may arise
• Set attainable targets for yourself.

2. Medications

Anxiety and depression drugs may also be prescribed by your psychotherapist.

• Antidepressants: There are many antidepressants on the market, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). As compared to other antidepressants, this class has fewer side effects. SSRIs include fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine.
• Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilisers, such as lithium, may be prescribed by your doctor to help minimise mood fluctuations.
• Antipsychotic drugs: Depression and anxiety can be alleviated by taking antipsychotic medication. Among the various antipsychotic medications available, aripiprazole and risperidone both fall under the antipsychotic classification.

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