Stop Being So Full of Yourself: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Stop being so full of yourself:

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A young handsome man, who views his female suitors as unworthy of his beauty is condemned by the gods to never find true love. One day he saw his reflection in a pool, and he stares at himself lovingly for so long eventually he simply withers away and dies. This is the story of Narcissus in Greek mythology for which Narcissistic Personality Disorders is named for. NPD is a serious life consuming disease that is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance. Though many people seem to have NPD it is only defined as disorder if it interferes with one’s life. In this paper I will discuss the symptoms, onset, the theories, and treatments.

People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder must have other people continually reassure their self image because they cannot create one for themselves. It is defined as, in Essential of Abnormal Psychology 4th ed., “A Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic) personality disorder involving a pervasive pattern of grandiosity in fantasy or behavior; need for admiration, and lack of empathy. “ According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition you must have five of these nine symptoms

“(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

(2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

(3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

(4) requires excessive admiration

(5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others