Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a psychological disorder characterized by an excessive preoccupation with oneself, one's importance, achievements, and an overwhelming need for attention and admiration. It is considered a personality disorder as it affects an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading to impaired functioning in various aspects of life, including relationships and work.
People with NPD typically display a grandiose sense of self-importance and believe they are superior to others. They constantly seek acknowledgement and praise and may exaggerate their accomplishments or talents. They have an inherent need for admiration and may exploit others to achieve their goals. Despite appearing self-assured and confident, individuals with NPD often suffer from low self-esteem and are sensitive to criticism or perceived threats to their self-worth.
These individuals have a lack of empathy and struggle to understand or recognize the feelings and needs of others. They often become envious or feel entitled, expecting special treatment and exploiting others for their own gain. Their interpersonal relationships are often marked by difficulties, as their self-centeredness and lack of empathy can lead to exploiting, manipulating, or rejecting others.
To meet the diagnostic criteria for NPD, these traits must be persistent and pervasive, causing significant distress or impairment. Treatment generally involves therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help individuals develop healthier relationship patterns, improve self-esteem, and increase empathy and understanding of others' emotions.
