How do you recognize a person with narcissistic personality disorder?

Persons with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are distinguished by a specific pattern of thinking and behavior. They often have an exaggerated sense of self-esteem, a strong belief in their uniqueness and a need for constant recognition from those around them. In order to build a positive self-image, they may manipulate others, exaggerate their accomplishments and even misrepresent themselves. While they may appear confident and charismatic, their relationships are often superficial, and their real motivation is the need to be admired and sustain their ego..

Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder

Narcissism is associated with a number of characteristics and difficulties:

• Lack of empathy - people with NPD do not understand or consider the emotions of others, and often treat people instrumentally, pursuing their own benefits.

• Sense of uniqueness - they consider themselves better than others, deserving of special treatment.

• Proneness to manipulation - can use others to achieve their goals, and use lies and manipulation.

• Sensitivity to criticism - they resent any remarks about themselves, reacting with aggression, anger or attempts to undermine the authority of the critic.

• Envy and devalue others - feel strong jealousy toward successful people and often belittle their achievements.

• Arrogance and superiority attitude - they treat others with superiority, failing to see the need for compromise and cooperation.

• Sensation of emptiness and boredom - they may seek intense sensations, sometimes in the form of risky behavior or stimulants.

When is it worth considering therapy?

People with narcissistic personality disorder rarely seek help on their own because it is difficult for them to see the problem in themselves. They most often seek support when they are experiencing a crisis, such as depression resulting from loss of admiration from those around them, relationship difficulties or substance abuse.

Indications for therapy include:

• Difficulties in maintaining satisfying interpersonal relationships.

• Recurrent depressive episodes associated with lowered self-esteem.

• Problems at work resulting from conflicts with superiors and co-workers.

• Addictions, resulting from attempts to cope with feelings of emptiness and boredom.

• Severe mood swings, feelings of frustration and chronic dissatisfaction.

Possible forms of support

The primary treatment for narcissistic personality disorder is psychotherapy, which helps work on defense mechanisms, build authentic relationships and increase self-awareness. Depending on the specifics of the problem, different therapeutic approaches can be effective:

• Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy - helps to deeply understand the sources of narcissism and change maladaptive behavioral patterns.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy - teaches a more realistic view of oneself and one's surroundings and how to deal with criticism.

• Schema therapy - helps people with NPD recognize their deep-seated beliefs and patterns of action.

• Pharmacotherapy - used in cases of co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders, administered by a psychiatrist.

Although people with narcissistic personality disorder may have difficulty accepting the need for therapy, consistent work on themselves can improve their quality of life and relationships with others. Support from professionals can help them understand the causes of their behavior and develop healthier mechanisms for functioning in society.