What is meant by Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
The narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder where there is an exaggerated sense of self-importance. The patient looks for admiration and excessive praise, even with little or no accomplishments. They have low empathy and a sense of grandiosity. The patient with Narcissistic personality disorder dominates others to express his/her superiority or seek constant self-praise and approval from others. Though the patient seems very confident, in reality, he/she has very low self-esteem. The patient has difficulty dealing with even the slightest of criticism.
What Are The Main Causes Of Narcissism?
- Genetics: Inherited character traits
- Environment: Having parents who showered them with either excessive adoration or excessive criticism
Some examples of flawed parenting include:
- Intense parenting
- Pampering and extensive praise for achievement and giving importance to their looks
- Talents that are considered unique because of parental self-esteem issues
- Ignorance of child care
- Neglectful parenting
- Abuse or trauma
- Setting too high expectations
- Neurobiology: The link between brain, thinking, and behavior.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Manifesting As A Disease
Narcissism is more common in men than in women. Narcissists are abusive, as they expect a lot from their partner and have a one-sided view. Their egoistic sense prevents them from reciprocating their feelings appropriately with their partner, making them emotionally abusive, judgemental and insensitive towards their partners. Such patients do not believe that others can be as good as them.
This sense of superiority makes them exploit others without any feelings of guilt. They will achieve what they want at the expense of others without being considerate. They often lack humanity because of excessive pride in themselves, and hence view others as objects and often concentrate only on themselves.
Patients with narcissistic personality disorder lack an understanding of how others feel. They talk about their contributions and achievements but fail to empathise with the feelings of others.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
- Unrealistic views of self and others.
- Preconceived notions of success, brilliance.
- Superiority and tendency to connect with people who seem similar to themselves
- The desire to possess the best material possessions.
- Being jealous of others and feeling others are envious of them.
- Difficulty managing stress.
- Feel depressed, shifting emotions when they are short of perfection.
- A sense of insecurity and embarrassment and vulnerable to humiliation.
- Judging others negatively because of their egoistic nature.
- Dominating or monopolizing conversations
- Empathy low, confidence high.
- Egotistical
- Fantasies of a perfect life.
- Manipulative and can sometimes be impostors.
Risk Factors Narcissistic Personality Disorder :
Egoism and egotism may often lead to unrealistic expectations from others and improper evaluation of themselves. Narcissism often drains the energy of the individual as he/she constantly expresses anger which hampers relationships at work, personal, and social levels.
The person cannot rectify his/her behaviour when pointed out by others and seem to have irrational beliefs about themselves while finding it difficult to comprehend how others feel.
How do you Fix Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
People with narcissistic personality disorder may not want to think that anything could be wrong, so they may be unlikely to seek any therapy/treatment. A mental health professional can help the patient to overcome this disorder by providing the most suitable treatment/therapy.
Some methods of therapy:
- Helping them create new coping mechanisms.
- Replacing the old habits of defence with new ones for neural wiring. This brings changes in the brain that are beneficial.
- Guiding them in being more tolerant towards others as it may affect their interpersonal relationships.
- Understanding their childhood conflicts and the defence strategies they used for coping with the same.
- Allowing them to reflect on their childhood pain and the defences they used against shame or guilt.
- Discussing the benefits of being considerate to others.
- Emphasizing on their inner voice and updating them about the insights of caregivers regarding their appreciation or criticism.
- Medicines can be given for depression, anxiety, etc.
- Therapies such as progressive relaxation, meditation and systematic desensitization can be used.
Narcissists can be categorised into the following categories:
- Toxic narcissist: Continuously demanding attention and time while being dramatic most of the time. For example, if someone had fired you from a job without a valid reason and terminated a relationship with you irrationally, he/she may be a toxic narcissist.
- Psychopathic narcissist: This type of narcissist is violent or abusive and shows no remorse. For example, serial killers and murderers.
- Closet narcissist: A person who imposes their personality on others. He/she seeks attention & admiration for their success, is jealous of others, does not have empathy for others, and is often very much occupied with their progress.
- Exhibitionist narcissist: A person who lets other people know that they are narcissists as they tend to exploit others emotionally
What Is A Narcissistic Crisis?
It is called narcissistic rage or anger when someone attacks their ego, making them irritable and annoyed. He/she would express paranoid delusions and depressive episodes with violent outbursts.
Precautions
Provide them emotional support and guide them about creating healthy habits that can transform them, and bring a drastic positive impact on their lives.
Remedies for Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
- Consult with a mental health professional.
- Do not stop the therapy/treatment halfway through it.
- Learn to deal with your emotions through meditation.
- try Yoga and breathing techniques.
- Get over any addiction.
