Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD, is a mental illness in which a person has a heightened sense of self-importance and a strong need for attention.
In this article, we will talk about the signs of NPD, including what they are, how they manifest in different people, and what you can do if you think someone you care about might have NPD.
Types of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
There are three main types of NPD which are,
Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (NPD-NOS) – This type of NPD is marked by a lack of empathy and a sense of self-importance that is too big. The person acts like they are better than everyone else and can’t make or keep close relationships. This type of narcissism is only diagnosed if the individual has exaggerated emotions and lacks empathy for others.
A grandiose Sense of Self (GSSS)- People with this type of NPD have a good opinion of themselves, but they are not arrogant or self-righteous. They may be narcissistic, but they don’t meet the criteria for NPD-NOS because they don’t have any emotional distress.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Avoidant/Dependent (NPD-A/D) – This is characterized by difficulties maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships due to an intense fear of being abandoned or rejected by others. People with this type of narcissism feel empty and bored in their lives because they can’t make meaningful connections with other people.
Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
People with narcissistic personality disorder are often charming and very sure of themselves, but they can also be very rude, self-centered, and arrogant. They feel like they deserve something and often put themselves first. People with this disorder tend to be jealous of others and may hold a grudge against them for no reason.
These are some of the symptoms that you or someone you know has Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
You’re more concerned with your own needs and wants than anyone else’s – Narcissistic people are only concerned about getting their needs and wants me. They do not care who was hurt along the way as long as they get what they want.
You have a grandiose sense of self-importance, and you believe you are superior to others. People with NPD believe they are better than everybody and nobody in this world can outdo them in anything.
You expect special treatment and reassurance that you are superior to other people. In case you are wondering how best to approach God, just observe how a narcissistic person demands to be treated. These people want to be worshiped, praised, and pampered at the same time.
You don’t need other people’s approval or acceptance, but you want them to acknowledge how special you feel inside. It is very difficult to please narcissistic people because they just assume that you know how best to treat them. They like to appear classy and boogie just for a show, deep down they crave public recognition.
You lack empathy for others, including family members and friends. You are not interested in what they think or feel, only in what you think or feel. Narcissistic people have an ice box where the heart is supposed to be. These people can be so cold, they will literally watch you bleed and feel nothing. You wouldn’t want to be a victim of a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
You are a bully who uses intimidation or threats to get your way. Narcissistic people are bullies and not necessarily violent kinds of bullies. Narcissists will bully you by gaslighting you, talking down on you, or just ignoring you. These are emotionally manipulative behaviors.
Take away
Now that we have looked at some of the symptoms of NPD, kindly do not label anyone with such a trait a narcissist. You should know because we are selfish beings we all have one or two narcissistic traits. A person is labeled a narcissist if they have many of these symptoms. Also, it would be best if we let mental health practitioners diagnose people with NPD.
Causes of NPD
There is no definitive cause of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), but there are several possible contributing factors. These include genetic predisposition, early childhood experiences, and unhealthy coping mechanisms in adulthood.
Some experts think that NPD could be caused by both genetics and the environment. For example, someone who has a parent or close relative with NPD may be more likely to get the disorder themselves. NPD can also be caused by things that happened when the person was young, like being ignored or abused.
Narcissistic tendencies can sometimes be seen in adults who use unhealthy ways to deal with stress, like using drugs or spending too much money. If these behaviors aren’t stopped, they can turn into full-blown NPD.
But in essence, even though there are many personality development theories, sometimes we cannot know for sure what causes NPD. You can have children from the same family, brought up under the same roof with similar experiences, and some turn just fine while others develop personality disorders.
If you think you or someone you know may be struggling with NPD, it’s important to seek professional help. A mental health professional can diagnose NPD and develop a treatment plan to help manage symptoms.
Treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder
If you’re reading this, then you may be wondering if you or someone you know has a narcissistic personality disorder and if there is a way to treat it.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for NDP but it can be controlled. People with this disorder often start treatment with psychotherapy. They can learn to handle their feelings and get along with others better in therapy. The narcissistic person must be willing to get counseling but if they break the law, they might be forced into counseling.
Either way, forced or not counseling for people with NPD is a good way to help control the desired. If you are wondering how to start Therapy, you can always consider Online therapy. Check out the Online Therapy website for online counseling services. You will get to choose the time for your counseling sessions and you can change your therapist whenever. Use this link to sign up, you will get a 10% discount and we will earn a commission from it.
Online therapy would be ideal for Narcissistic people, sometimes they can be too cool for one on one therapy. They do not know how to be vulnerable around people.
If you think you or someone you know may have a narcissistic personality disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. With treatment, people with this disorder can learn to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful. And if you are currently dealing with a narcissistic person, if you can get away from them. Chances are they will not change unless the need to be better people comes from them and you see them putting the effort to change. Love yourselves a little more today and do not allow a sick person to dictate how you should feel or live your life.
