Narcissistic personality disorder: symptoms, signs, treatment

Narcissistic personality disorder is a character trait that is expressed in excessive narcissism, as well as inflated self-esteem. A patient with narcissism elevates himself above others. In the vast majority of cases, narcissism and inflated self-esteem are not true.

Until recently, there was no such thing as NRL. Today, the disease has reached colossal proportions. This is all due to errors in upbringing, the presence of mental disorders, permissiveness, and the influence of social networks. A person with a highly inflated ego requires the help of a specialist.

Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A person with signs of narcissistic personality disorder is constantly in a state of euphoria from his “fictional” and “contrived greatness.” The disease manifests itself in an excessive experience of self-importance combined with an increased need for attention.

The modern rhythm of life literally pushes and sometimes “provokes” the activation of narcissism. Social networks provide an ideal platform for demonstrating the disease.

Inflated self-esteem and narcissistic personality disorder are two different concepts. And before we move on to the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, we should understand what the difference is between the concepts.

People with high self-esteem praise themselves because of their own successes, achievements, and experiences of acceptance from loved ones. People with narcissistic personality disorder are focused on themselves and their possible achievements due to fear of failure and failure. It should also be noted that people with high self-esteem are prone to worry, sympathy, they are able to accept and help someone else’s grief.

Only a specialist can make a diagnosis. For manifestations of narcissism to be considered pathological, a person must exhibit at least 5 symptoms, out of a possible 9.

1. Fantasies about your own success, work done, beauty, strength, amazingness, achievements.
2. Feeling important. A person overestimates his importance in the lives of loved ones, and even strangers. It seems to him that his advice and help are constantly needed.
3. Belief in your own uniqueness. A patient with NPD is sure that he should communicate only with people from high society.
4. The need for love, praise, admiration. If a person lacks attention and admiration, apathy, depression and even aggressive behavior may occur.
5. “Everybody owes me.” When communicating with other people, a narcissist will always expect from them either praise or “gratitude” for the fact that he bothered to talk/help/pay attention.
6. Exploitation of others. The narcissist will use those around him to achieve his goals. At the same time, he will not feel remorse.
7. Lack of empathy, which is accompanied by a reluctance to acknowledge other people's feelings.
8. Dislike of other people's achievements and success. Manifestations of envy are often accompanied by aggression and even abuse.
9. Demonstrating your own greatness. Arrogant behavior.

The narcissist will constantly live in his own illusion. The patient will demand excessive attention from others, praising “fictitious” successes and qualities that are not inherent in his character.

As the disorder progresses, experts note sudden mood swings, unreasonable aggression, loss of appetite, or, on the contrary, an increase in it. Narcissists rarely complete a task, abandoning it halfway.

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I believe that both patients had catastrophic ego-relationships - but with some differences. In Mrs. L., the first patient, the superego figure was a murderous woman; for Mrs. D, this place was usually occupied by an internal parent who seemed to be an emptiness - not just an absence, but a negating presence. They both avoided a relationship with the Super-Ego by forming an attachment to the Ego-ideal, which created a narcissistic organization. This was realized externally in relations with an idealized double. In the first patient, perverse, sadomasochistic relationships arose; in the second, the authority of the superego's judgments was invested in the narcissistic object, whose approval thus became a matter of life and death. I think that narcissistic object relations in the first case led to something like the infamous Bonnie and Clyde couple, and in the second to something like Romeo and Juliet. Death lurks in both scenarios, but in one the partnership is based on a shared love of killing, and in the other, death is preferred to life without the love of the other.

The backgrounds of both patients are similar. Both of their parents divorced; Both mothers found it difficult to perform maternal functions; both had successful fathers who were ruthlessly self-centered. However, these unfavorable parental traits were much more pronounced in the parents of a patient with a predominantly libidinal disorder, Mrs. D. Her own disturbances were significantly less severe and less narcissistic than those of either of her parents. Ms. L., who suffered from a predominantly destructive narcissistic disorder, on the contrary, was significantly more severe than that of either of her parents. In her case, we can note a worsening of the situation in the next generation, and in the case of Mrs. D., on the contrary, an improvement in the situation.

Signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

According to the observations of psychiatrists and psychologists, NPD occurs equally often in representatives of the stronger and weaker sex at the age of 16-40 years. Often, parents confuse narcissism with an inflated opinion of their talents.

Nowadays, many people suffer from narcissism to one degree or another. As noted above, social media is to blame. Narcissism can also develop against the background of mental trauma received at a young age and mental disorders.

It is already known for sure that narcissism is a disease that can be characterized by exceptional narcissism and uniqueness. In this regard, the patient expects special treatment, because according to his own convictions he is superior to those around him.

Signs of narcissism:

1. Creating a “fake picture”. The narcissist creates a picture of another person in his head, both externally and internally. A person tries to look smarter, more developed and more beautiful compared to others. On social networks, the narcissist posts only the best photos. Moreover, he does not edit or process images, considering himself a person with an ideal appearance. The narcissist is obsessed with one desire - to surprise others by showing his ideal life.
2. Bombast. The behavior of a king is how one can characterize the manner of communication of a person with the habits of a narcissist. He tries to stand out by any means: clothing, speech, manner of communication.
3. Humiliation of other people. In moments of bad mood or loss of strength, the narcissist experiences a feeling of dissatisfaction. Against this background, a desire arises to humiliate another person. Aggression also occurs when a person with narcissistic personality disorder meets a better person (according to his own beliefs). If someone is better than a narcissist, he experiences strong and painful emotions, which later develop into aggression.
4. Fear of showing emotions. Naturally, the fear of showing emotions is inherent not only in narcissists, but also in people who are not confident in themselves. Tears, feelings of pity, manifestations of tender feelings - this is not about narcissists. Internally, they understand their weakness, so they are afraid to show their emotions.
5. Inability to listen. The ability to listen involves participation in dialogue, sympathy, and empathy. But narcissists lack these feelings. They find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. They interrupt others. Sometimes, even in a very harsh form.
6. Exaggerating one's own achievements. Any book read will be accompanied by a revaluation of work. However, like any, the most insignificant action and work.
7. Blaming others. Self-criticism is not typical for patients with narcissistic personality disorder. Any failures will be accompanied by accusations towards relatives, friends and ordinary acquaintances.
8. Obsession with power and success. Success for narcissists is purely an external gloss. They do not work on themselves, their internal qualities, and, as noted above, they rarely bring things to a logical conclusion. Power for them is just an end in itself, and not the result of long work on oneself.

Some signs of narcissistic personality disorder are present to varying degrees in the average person. To make a diagnosis, you should visit a specialist's office.

Causes of narcissism

Most personality disorders have roots in childhood. Narcissism is no exception.

Sigmund Freud believes that all children go through a stage of primary narcissistic syndrome. This is one of the intermediate but important stages in the development of personality. But then he identified other forms of narcissism, which confirmed that the disorder was a mental disorder.

A man reads a book in front of a mirror, admires himself

Karen Hortney believes that narcissistic character is formed in children if they constantly have to build psychological defenses from their parents. This happens if parents try to realize their ambitions through their child. At the same time, the desire and true manifestations of the child are not taken into account. Children develop an inferiority complex, which transforms into narcissism.

According to psychotherapist Otto Kernberg, narcissism is the desire of an adult to receive positive emotions that were not received from parents.

Why narcissistic injuries occur:

• disappointment in parental love;
• conditional emotional warmth - love needs to be earned, to be good, to be comfortable;
• physical punishment, moral violence;
• being ignored by parents, communicating only at the level of demands and obligations;
• there was no right for weakness or mistakes.

In addition to unhealthy family relationships, narcissistic syndrome occurs under the influence of environmental factors. In the media and social networks I constantly show ideal relationships and things. And advertising imposes services to bring people closer to these ideals. This has a negative impact on mental health.

Treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder

People with narcissistic personality disorder overwhelmingly deny the need for treatment. And in the case when they are satisfied with life: career advancement, satisfaction of their own ambitions, admiration from others - they really feel great.

The treatment process for narcissistic personality disorder should never be rushed. Forced treatment can only worsen the patient's condition. In this case, a special individual approach is needed. No self-treatment at home. Qualified professionals should work closely with narcissists.

Today, the main treatment method for narcissistic personality disorder is psychotherapy. In this case, the therapist pursues a single goal - to convey to the patient that people must be accepted as they are.

Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder is individual. When choosing treatment methods, you should consider:

1. General physical and mental condition of the patient.
2. Desire to make contact.
3. Patient's age.
4. Social status.
5. Presence of mental disorders.

One of the most successful and progressive methods of treating the disease is the psychoanalytic approach. The psychoanalytic approach allows us to identify pathological patterns at a young age.

Narcissism is

Narcissism is a characteristic of a mental state. A person presents himself as a superior person, his self-esteem is inflated. Such traits are found in ambitious, goal-oriented individuals. The desire to please everyone cannot be called a deviation.

But narcissism syndrome is pathological narcissism, a symbiosis of inflated conceit and inner emptiness. Constant suppression of feelings of envy, shame, guilt.

Deviations arise if an incorrect scenario was laid down in childhood. The desire to appear ideal turns into pathology. Narcissists are often diagnosed with other mental disorders - depression, bipolar disorder.

Narcissism is not a common personality disorder. The total number of daffodils in the world does not exceed 6%.

How to treat narcissistic personality disorder:

1. Behavioral and cognitive psychotherapy.
2. Group classes with relatives.
3. Drug therapy.

The problem is aggravated if, against the background of a pre-existing disease, symptoms of prolonged depression, phobias and panic attacks appear. In this case, we should talk not only about psychotherapy, but also about supporting the body with medications that are prescribed after the examination.

Quite often, patients are prescribed alimemazine antipsychotics. The latter have a multifaceted effect on the patient’s body. The main properties of the drug include a mild sedative effect, which is accompanied by a decrease in the reaction to external stimuli. Alimemazine antipsychotics reduce feelings of fear, panic, suppress signs of aggression, and even hallucinations.

It is important to note that after a course of taking modern antipsychotics, patients do not become addicted. They have a very gentle effect on the human body, causing virtually no side effects.

Taking antidepressants, antipsychotics, and herbal medicine can alleviate the narcissist’s condition, but it should be understood that an important part of the effectiveness of treatment directly depends on sessions with a psychologist and the supervision of a psychiatrist.

To move narcissism “from its place”, only one thing is necessary - a person’s desire to admit that he needs the help of a specialist. At the Salvation clinic, all services are provided on an anonymous basis. This means that after treatment, the patient’s reputation will remain “clean”.

Experts are sure that NPD begins in childhood. Narcissism is inherent in every child in a healthy, refined form. Correcting narcissism is not always treatable. In some cases, it may take more than one month to restore normal behavior.

Psychologists and psychiatrists advise engaging in preventive work from an early age. Under no circumstances should a child suffer from a lack of love and attention, but you should not allow your child to manipulate you.

Preventive work to eliminate manifestations of NPD is primarily aimed at developing empathy, as well as the formation of high and “healthy” self-esteem. Preventive work can be carried out in the form of a game, starting from 3 years.

What is the difference between female and male narcissism?

In 2015, the University at Buffalo conducted a study on narcissism to identify gender differences. An analysis of 30 years of data from 475 thousand participants showed that men are more likely to be narcissistic than women. The results of the study were published in the journal Psychological Bulletin.

There is little difference between female and male narcissism.

When identifying gender differences, researchers studied 3 aspects - leadership, authority, law and exhibitionism.

Results:

1. Men are more likely than women to exploit others and feel like people with unlimited privileges.
2. Narcissistic men strive to dominate and are more assertive than women. But the quality of a leader is not considered feminine. Girls are constantly criticized for authoritarian, aggressive behavior, and excessive determination. Under the influence of public opinion, manifestations of narcissistic behavior in girls and women were suppressed.
3. Both sexes are equally self-centered and vain.

What can you tell us about being in a relationship with a narcissist?

A relationship with a narcissist is not a relationship, but constant stress, a war for personal space. He only seeks in partners confirmation of his own importance, superiority to reinforce vulnerable self-esteem. To avoid mental health problems, such relationships need to be ended.

But breaking up with a narcissist is a difficult process. From a feeling of unbearable insult, he will use all methods to get his partner back. For a while he will become what they want him to be. But all this is just another manipulation. Having achieved his goal, he returns to his behavior.

How to leave a toxic relationship:

• make a list with all the reasons for breaking up and keep it handy;
• get rid of illusions - people do not change, and especially narcissists;
• stop any communication - block everyone, if you have common children, take a friend or relative to meetings.

Let go of your feelings, suffer a little and don't blame yourself for it. The narcissist does not suffer, he restores the ego, using the most unpleasant methods for this - gossip, searching for a new victim.