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Narcissistic personality disorder
     
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Narcissistic personality disorder

Personality disorder - borderline; Narcissism

 

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has:

  • An excessive sense of self-importance
  • An extreme preoccupation with themselves
  • A lack of empathy for others

Causes

 

The cause of this disorder is unknown. Early life experiences, such as insensitive parenting, are thought to play a role in developing this disorder.

 

Symptoms

 

A person with this disorder may:

  • React to criticism with rage, shame, or humiliation
  • Take advantage of other people to achieve his or her own goals
  • Have excessive feelings of self-importance
  • Exaggerate achievements and talents
  • Be preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty, intelligence, or ideal love
  • Have unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment
  • Need constant attention and admiration
  • Disregard the feelings of others, and have little ability to feel empathy
  • Have obsessive self-interest
  • Pursue mainly selfish goals

 

Exams and Tests

 

Narcissistic personality disorder is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation. The health care provider will consider how long and how severe the person's symptoms are.

 

Treatment

 

Talk therapy may help the person relate to other people in a more positive and compassionate way.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Outcome of treatment depends on the severity of the disorder and how willing the person is to change.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Alcohol overuse or illegal drug use
  • Mood and anxiety disorders
  • Relationship, work, and family problems

 

 

Open References

References

American Psychiatric Association. Narcissistic personality disorder. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.

Blais MA, Rivas-Vazquez R, Ruchensky JR, Stein MB. Personality and personality disorders. In: Stern TA, Wilens TE, Fava M, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 37.

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Review Date: 7/17/2024

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