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What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines narcissism personality disorder (NPD) as an all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts.

In translation, a narcissistic person typically is someone who almost obsessively seeks self gratification, domination, and ambition. They tend to exaggerate their skills, talents, accomplishments etc., and sometimes they will exaggerate to the point of lying.

The onset of the disorder usually occurs before or during adolescence and has been attributed to childhood abuse and trauma inflicted by parents, authority figures, or peers.

To an average person, a narcissist may seem to be quite self-confident and accomplished-- but really the narcissist suffers from a great deficit in self-esteem and needs an outside supply of adulation, admiration, fame, greatness.

According to DSM statistics: it is estimated that about 1% of the population suffers from narcissistic personality disorder, most narcissists (50-75%) are men, and narcissistic personality disorder is often diagnosed with other mental health disorders, substance abuse, or other reckless behaviors.

How do you know if you are someone you love suffers from narcissistic personality disorder? Well, the DSM specifies nine diagnostic criteria--and for NPD to be diagnosed, only five (or more) of these criteria must be met:

1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3. believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4. requires excessive admiration
5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7. lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

To learn more about the types of narcissists, click here.

*The American Psychiatric Association, based in Washington, DC, USA, publishes the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. This article is based on the information and statistical information found in that publication.

**Sam Vaknin Phd is a leading authority on the topic of narcissism. Portions of this article are based on his articles and book on narcissistic personality disorder. To learn more about this disorder, you can visit his website: http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com

The Narcissistic Personality Disorder and abusive relationships with narcissists described and analyzed. 82 frequently asked questions (FAQs), excerpts from the archives of the Narcissism Revisited List, essay, journal entries and appendices.

Recommended Reading:

Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited by Sam Vaknin Phd

Why Is It Always About You? : The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism by Sandy Hotchkiss

Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-Up's Guide to Getting over Narcissistic Parents by Nina W. Brown

Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, writer, and speaker. She has been helping clients with all types of life issues since 1998. She is the Founder and Director of www.GirlShrink.com , a site that offers expert online advice, counseling and coaching for women on a variety of issues such as relationships, mental health and more.

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Lisa Angelettie m.s.w. http://www.CityMax.com?domain=41241

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