Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and how severe they are can vary. People with the disorder can:

• Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration.
• Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment.
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.
• Make achievements and talents seem more significant than they are.
• Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.
• Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally unique people.
• Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not necessary.
• Expect special favors and others to do what they want without questioning them.
• Take advantage of others to get what they want.
• Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
• Be envious of others and believe others envy them.
• Behave arrogantly, brag a lot, and come across as conceited.
• Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office.

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they view as criticism. They can:

• Become impatient or angry when they don’t receive special recognition or treatment.
• Have significant problems interacting with others and quickly feel slighted.
• React with rage or contempt and try to belittle other people to make themselves appear superior.
• Have difficulty managing their emotions and behavior.
• Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change.
• Withdraw from or avoid situations in which they might fail.
• Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection.
• Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, and fear of being exposed as a failure.

People with narcissistic personality disorder may not want to think that anything could be wrong, so they usually don’t go for any treatment. If they do seek treatment, it’s more likely to be for symptoms of depression, drug or alcohol misuse, or another mental health problem.

If you’re feeling extreme sadness, consider reaching out to a trusted healthcare provider or mental health provider. Getting the proper treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable.

It’s not known what causes narcissistic personality disorder. The cause is likely complex. Narcissistic personality disorder may be linked to:

• Environment — parent-child relationships with too much love or criticism that don’t match the child’s experiences and achievements.
• Genetics — inherited characteristics, such as certain personality traits.
• Neurobiology — the connection between the brain and behavior and thinking.

 Risk Factors of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Although the cause of narcissistic personality disorder isn’t known, some researchers think that overprotective or absent parenting may have an impact on children who are born with a tendency to develop the disorder. Genetics and other factors also may play a role in the development of narcissistic personality disorder.

 Complications Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Complications of narcissistic personality disorder and other conditions that can occur along with it include:

• Relationship difficulties
• Problems at work or school
• Depression and anxiety
• Other personality disorders
• An eating disorder called anorexia
• Physical health problems
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviour

Some features of narcissistic personality disorder are like those of other personality disorders. Also, it’s possible to be diagnosed with more than one personality disorder at the same time. This can make diagnosis more challenging.

Diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder is usually based on:

• Your symptoms and how they impact your life.
• A physical exam ensures you don’t have a physical problem causing your symptoms.
• A thorough psychological evaluation may include filling out questionnaires.

Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder is talk therapy, also called psychotherapy. Medicines may be included in your treatment if you have other mental health conditions, such as depression.

 Psychotherapy

Narcissistic personality disorder treatment revolves around psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you:

• Learn to relate better with others so your relationships are closer, more enjoyable, and more rewarding.
• Understand the causes of your emotions and what drives you to compete, to distrust others, and to dislike others and possibly yourself.

The focus is to help you accept responsibility and learn to:

• Accept and maintain genuine personal relationships and work together with co-workers.
• Recognize and accept your actual abilities, skills, and potential so you can tolerate criticism or failures.
• Increase your ability to understand and manage your feelings.
• Understand and learn how to handle issues related to your self-esteem.
• Learn to set and accept goals that you can reach instead of wanting goals that are not realistic.

Therapy can be short-term to help you manage stress or crisis. Therapy also can be provided on an ongoing basis to help you achieve and maintain your goals. Often, including family members or others in treatment can be helpful.

Sehatyab is a reliable online platform for addressing Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), providing access to experienced therapists who specialize in personality disorders.

Through these online sessions, individuals with NPD can work on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and building healthier relationships in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Therapists at Sehatyab use evidence-based approaches for each individual as per his needs. These experienced psychologists also help them explore underlying issues and develop constructive coping strategies.

Sehatyab offers a private and accessible path to self-growth and improved mental well-being.

 Medicines Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

There are no medicines specifically used to treat narcissistic personality disorder. But if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other conditions, drugs such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines may be helpful.

Because the cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown, there’s no known way to prevent the condition. But it may help to:

• Get treatment as soon as possible for childhood mental health problems.
• Participate in family therapy to learn healthy ways to communicate or to cope with conflicts or emotional distress.
• Attend parenting classes and seek guidance from a therapist or social worker.

You may feel defensive about treatment or think it’s unnecessary. The nature of narcissistic personality disorder also can leave you feeling that therapy is not worth your time and attention, and you may be tempted to quit. But it’s essential to:

• Keep an open mind. Focus on the rewards of treatment.
• Follow your treatment plan. Attend scheduled therapy sessions and take any medicines as directed. Remember, it can be hard work, and you may have occasional setbacks.
• Get treatment for alcohol or drug misuse or other mental health problems. Addiction, depression, anxiety, and stress can lead to a cycle of emotional pain and unhealthy behavior.
• Stay focused on your goals. Stay motivated by keeping your goals in mind and reminding yourself that you can work to repair damaged relationships and become more content with your life.

You may start by seeing your healthcare provider or be referred to a mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

 What You Can Do?

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Any symptoms you have and how long you’ve had them help determine what kinds of events will likely make you angry or upset.
• Key personal information, including traumatic events in your past and any current significant stressors.
• Your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions you have.
• Any medicines, vitamins, herbs or other supplements you’re taking, and the doses.
• Questions to ask your mental health provider so that you can make the most of your appointment.

Consider taking a trusted family member or friend along to help remember the details. In addition, someone who has known you for a long time can ask helpful questions or share important information.

 Basic Questions To Ask Include:

Some basic questions to ask your mental health provider include:

• What may be causing my symptoms?
• What are the goals of treatment?
• What treatments are most likely to be effective for me?
• In what ways could my quality of life improve with treatment?
• How often will I need therapy sessions, and for how long?
• Would family or group therapy be helpful in my case?
• Are there medicines that can help my symptoms?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there any brochures or other printed materials that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don’t hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.

Sehatyab is an easily approachable online platform to address Narcissistic Personality Disorder, offering access to experienced therapists who provide exceptional support. With a safe, non-judgmental environment and easy to access online sessions, it helps individuals build self-awareness, healthier relationships, and better coping strategies for personal growth.

 What To Expect From Your Mental Health Provider?

To better understand your symptoms and how they’re affecting your life, your mental health provider may ask:

• What are your symptoms?
• How do your symptoms affect your life, including school, work, and personal relationships?
• How do you feel — and act — when others seem to criticize or reject you?
• Do you have any close personal relationships? If not, why do you think that is?
• What are your significant accomplishments?
• What are your primary goals for the future?
• How do you feel when someone needs your help?
• How do you feel when someone expresses complicated feelings, such as fear or sadness?
• How would you describe your childhood, including your relationship with your parents?
• Have any of your close relatives been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, such as a personality disorder?
• Have you been treated for any other mental health problems? If yes, what treatments were most effective?
• Do you use alcohol or recreational drugs? If so, what do you use and how often?
• Are you currently being treated for any other medical conditions?