Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental disorder with a long-term pattern of abnormal behaviour characterised by exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. People affected by it often spend a lot of time thinking about achieving power or success. They often take advantage of the people around them. The behaviour typically begins in early adulthood. It is estimated that 1% - 6% of the population has NPD with males almost three times more likely to be diagnosed than females. This may be due to males in general being more likely to display antisocial behaviours than females.
The cause of the disorder is unknown but it may be hereditary or caused by trauma in childhood. There are genetic and environmental factors, such as child abuse or neglect, to the development of the disorder. It is more common in men than women, and usually develops in early adulthood.
Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder include:
- Grandiosity (exaggerated sense of self-importance)
- Being preoccupied with fantasies of success, power and brilliance
- A lack of empathy for other people
Narcissistic personality disorder can be treated.
Treatments include psychotherapy, self-exposure therapy, schema therapy and Naltrexone. Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for this condition. It helps you understand how your thoughts and behaviours affect your life in a positive way. Self-exposure therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps you confront your fears in order to change them. Schema therapy is another type of psychotherapy that works by helping you change your thoughts and behaviours through a series of steps designed to help make lasting changes in behaviour patterns associated with narcissism (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) or other disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder or Antisocial Personality Disorder).
A drug called Naltrexone may also help reduce symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder by making it more difficult for people with this condition to experience pleasure when they feel entitled or less likely to get angry when someone contradicts their view of themselves as superior beings who deserve special privileges over others
Conclusion
"I’m always asking, ‘Am I being kind? Is this the way a kind person would behave?’ If I’m not sure, I ask myself, ‘What would Jesus do? What would Buddha or Mohammed do?' If only all people with narcissistic personality disorder could do this.
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