Narcissism

Narcissism refers to excessive self-overvaluation that causes a distorted sense of self-worth and reduces a person’s empathic receptivity. Although most of us tend to be narcissistic at times, repeated ignorance of others’ needs and extreme self-importance can be a sign of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

What Is Narcissism?

Narcissism is marked by an inflated sense of self-involvement, self-absorption, self-importance, and self-image. It also involves a strong need for admiration and attention, a lack of empathy, a chronic disregard for other people, and toxic, unhealthy interpersonal relationships.

A narcissistic individual seeks gratification from egotistic admiration of his/her own idealized traits and self-image. A 2018 study ¹ states “Narcissism is a personality construct typically characterized by grandiosity, vanity, entitlement, and exploitativeness.”

Narcissism is a fundamental personality trait. However, sometimes, an individual with narcissism traits may suffer from its chronic and clinical counterpart: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). It is a mental condition characterized by an elevated sense of self-fixation, entitlement, and grandiosity ².

However, despite self-absorption, narcissists tend to be highly insecure. They have low self-esteem as they constantly worry about how they are perceived by others.

“Narcissistic patients are desperately attempting to manage their vulnerability,” explains a 2016 study ³ . This can adversely affect how the individual thinks, behaves, reacts, and relates to his/her loved ones and others.

A person with NPD may tend to manipulate and exploit others and take their loved ones for granted. Narcissists tend to consider themselves superior and behave mostly in a “self-centered” manner. They may also possess exploitative traits used predominantly for achieving goals.

A recent study ⁴ elaborates that “genuine concern for the feelings and needs of others is almost completely absent. Instead, narcissistic individuals seem to view other persons as little more than objects for manipulation.”

History Of Narcissism

The term “narcissism” is derived from the name of Narcissus, a young hunter and god in Greek mythology, who falls in love with his own reflection and beauty in a pool of water.

The legend goes that he gazes at his reflection for the rest of his life. The pathological form of narcissism was initially identified by the English physician and writer Havelock Ellis in 1898—who also declared it a disorder.

Austrian neurologist and founding father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, believed ⁵ that it is primarily a common stage in child development. However, when such traits are exhibited after puberty, it can be considered a personality disorder ⁶ .

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

NPD is one of the ten personality disorders ⁷ identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). “Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of grandiosity, fantasies of unlimited power or importance, and the need for admiration or special treatment,” explains one 2018 study ⁸ .

People with this psychological condition possess and exhibit traits of narcissism—such as an intense sense of self-importance, and a lack of empathy ⁹ , and an extreme need for attention and admiration.

A narcissistic personality disorder is marked by self-centered thoughts and arrogant behavior. But narcissists are extremely vulnerable to criticism, due to their fragile self-esteem. They appear to be extremely confident to cover up their inherent feelings of insecurity.

Research ¹⁰ shows that people with NPD are hypersensitive, shy, and insecure. Moreover, they experience a sense of inadequacy, anxiety, pain, fear, interpersonal vulnerability, internal emotional distress, and even depression.

Yet they may appear extremely confident, demanding, patronizing, selfish, and manipulative to others. However, such patterns of thought and behavior can cause significant psychological distress and adversely affect different aspects of their lives, including career, social life, and interpersonal relationships.

Understanding Narcissism

Narcissistic personality disorder or narcissism is a cluster B personality disorder.

As narcissistic people harbor extremely positive self-concepts, they may become very disappointed and even depressed when they are unable to get the desired admiration and attention which they think they deserve. As a result, they may often feel unsatisfied in relationships—making them toxic partners, spouses, friends, coworkers, or bosses.

People with NPD often fail to realize that they have a personality disorder and hence do not typically seek help or treatment. As they refuse to acknowledge or change their toxic behavioral patterns, they look for others to blame ¹¹ for their unfulfilled and unrealistic needs.

They can often be hostile and react aggressively to others when faced with criticisms or negative feedback. “Narcissistic individuals are sensitive to insults and prone to react to such criticism with anger and hostility,” says a 2002 study ¹² .

In fact, researchers ¹³ have observed that males with NPD are more likely to express anger in a physically violent manner than females. Narcissists often experience fluctuating and intense emotions ¹⁴ that are colored by their anxiety related to personal adequacy, control, and personal image and status ¹⁵ .

Studies ¹⁶ show that, in the United States, around 6.2% of the population have a lifetime prevalence of NPD—with about 7.7% being men and almost 4.8% being women. With treatment and therapy, one can learn to manage their narcissistic traits.

Read More About Cluster B Personality Disorder Here

Symptoms Of Narcissism

Some of the most common traits and signs of narcissism may include:

An extremely inflated sense of self-importance, and self-absorption
A sense of entitlement and grandiosity
A strong need for excessive and constant attention and admiration
Feelings of superiority even without any significant achievement
An inclination to associate only with high-status individuals
A willingness to manipulate and exploit others for personal gain
A lack of empathy
Fantasies about unlimited power, success, beauty, love, and brilliance
Considering others as inferior and monopolizing company
Pretentious, conceited, arrogant, and boastful behavior
Feelings of victimization
An aggressive reaction to being ‘ignored’ or ‘mistreated’
Being exploitative, toxic, and superficial in interpersonal relationships
A fragile self-esteem and low self-confidence
An exaggeration of talents and accomplishments
Feelings of jealousy
A strong belief in being envied by others
Exceptionally charming and charismatic when it’s beneficial
Undermining others’ achievements
Reacting negatively and aggressively to criticism
An emotional disconnection or detachment from others
A lack of intimacy or attachment in relationships
Social withdrawal
Emotional dysfunction ¹⁷
Internalized feelings of insecurity, shame, humiliation, emptiness, and vulnerability
Extreme suspiciousness
Mental disorders like anxiety, depression, mood disorders, etc.

Read More About Generalized Anxiety Disorder Here

Types Of Narcissism

Narcissism is widely regarded as a trait that exists as a spectrum. There is no specific or established number of subtypes of NPD. However, certain types have been identified by researchers ¹⁸ while others have become informally popular. Some of the most common narcissistic subtypes include:

1. Grandiose narcissism

The grandiose or overt type of NPD typically refers to what most people understand as a narcissistic personality. According to a 2018 study ¹⁹ , “grandiose narcissism is characterized by high self–esteem, interpersonal dominance, and a tendency to overestimate one’s capabilities.” ‘Grandiose’ narcissists have:

An unrealistic and inflated sense of superiority
An excessive overestimation of their own abilities
Exhibitionistic behavioral tendencies
A constant need to seek attention
Other behavioral traits that border on authoritarian, entitled, exploitative, unempathetic, self-absorbed, aggressive, and abusive tendencies

2. Vulnerable narcissism

Also known as the covert subtype, vulnerable narcissism is characterized by inhibition, shyness, and distress. It “is also associated with lower levels of self-esteem, extraversion and agreeableness, [and] higher neuroticism,” elaborates a 2018 study. Vulnerable narcissists are also associated with a “more realistic self-perception of emotional abilities.” People with vulnerable NPD are:

Self-effacing
Constantly envious of others
Hypersensitive to criticism
Extremely defensive when criticized
Constantly seeking validation and recognition from others
Avoidant, insecure, and vigilant

3. Malignant narcissism

The malignant narcissism subtype is believed to be at the extreme end of the NPD continuum. “Malignant Narcissism is described as a core narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial behavior, ego-syntonic sadism, and a paranoid orientation,” explains a 2010 study ²⁰ . Individuals with this NPD subtype tend to be:

Psychopathic
Immoral
Highly malicious
Extremely manipulative
Mildly neurotic or grandiose
Sadistic, paranoid, cruel, and aggressive

4. Other types

Other common types of narcissistic personality are:

Healthy narcissist
High-Functioning or exhibitionist narcissist
Primordial narcissist
Somatic narcissist
Sexual narcissist
Communal narcissist
Cerebral or intellectual narcissist
Spiritual narcissist
Conversational narcissist

Read More About Psychopath Here

What Causes Narcissism?

Although no specific causes of narcissism have been identified yet, certain risk factors influence the development of narcissistic personality disorder. Some of the influencing factors that contribute to NPD include:

1. Genetics

It has been observed that biology and genetics may play a role in the etiology of NPD. Although the causes are multifaceted, there may be a genetic predisposition at the onset, according to a study ²¹ .

There may be some neurobiological factors ²² at play as well. For instance, studies ²³ show that subclinical narcissism is associated with variations in regional brain volumes in insular and prefrontal areas.

2. Trauma

Studies ²⁴ have found that abuse and traumatic experiences—particularly in childhood or developing years—can contribute to the development of narcissistic personality disorder.

Adverse childhood experiences like abuse, abandonment, rejection, maltreatment ²⁵ , and other negative developmental experiences and having fragile egos during childhood can be risk factors.

A 2006 study ²⁶ elaborates “childhood experiences may help to explain the paradoxical combination of grandiosity and fragility in adult narcissism.”

3. Excessive praise

Research ²⁷ also shows that “excessive praise, including the belief that a child may have extraordinary abilities, may also lead to NPD.”

According to a 2015 study ²⁸ , parents often give special attention and exceptional treatment to children to boost their self-esteem.

However, overvaluing a child can lead to the development of narcissism in children. Contrarily, overly criticizing parents can also result in the onset of narcissism.

4. Other causes

Other environmental causes and risk factors contributing to the development of NPD may include the following:

Unstable or inconsistent parenting
Lack of validation during childhood and adolescence ²⁹
Extremely high and unrealistic parental expectations
Neglect or lack of care
Parental overindulgence ³⁰
Oversensitive temperament
Growing up with narcissistic, manipulative, or toxic parents
Cultural and social influences

What Are The Comorbidities Associated With Narcissism?

A 2017 study ³¹ states that NPD “shows high rates of comorbidity with mood, anxiety, substance use, and other personality disorders.” A person with narcissistic personality disorder often develops several other comorbid ³² mental health conditions, such as:

Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Antisocial personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD ³³ )
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Social anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Depression
Substance abuse ³⁴ (like alcoholism or drug addiction)
Physical health issues like cardiovascular problems ³⁵ , coronary disorders, etc.
Self-harm and suicidal tendencies

According to a 2009 study ³⁶ , “in general, patients with NPD showed similar co-occurring disorders as patients with BPD, or with the co-diagnosis NPD and BPD.” Further studies ³⁷ show that a person with narcissism can also develop a psychopathic personality.

“Although antisocial personality disorder is associated with psychopathy, it also seems common in individuals with narcissistic personality traits,” explain researchers ³⁸ . Moreover, narcissism is found ³⁹ to be closely associated with a greater risk of suicidal death than any other personality disorder.

Read More About Panic Disorder Here

How To Diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Typically, narcissists don’t seek treatment as they don’t believe that they are suffering from a mental condition or a personality disorder. However, they may seek treatment for comorbid conditions like anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, etc.

This is why narcissism diagnosis can be challenging for mental health professionals. However, a diagnosis of NPD can be made by a qualified healthcare professional.

Certain symptoms of narcissism—such as a sense of self-importance, feelings of grandiosity, or a lack of intimacy or empathy—impair the narcissists’ normal daily functioning. Their personality traits and functional impairments must be stable across a variety of circumstances, over a period of time.

Moreover, the personality traits must not be socially or culturally acceptable or caused by developmental stages, substance use, and other psychiatric or medical disorders.

Narcissism can be diagnosed medically ⁴⁰ when the symptoms lead to subjective distress and functional impairment in the patient’s occupational, social, and personal life. So even if they may not admit to having a condition or personality disorder, they are aware that their thoughts and behaviors cause them severe distress.

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist can ask the patient to fill out certain questionnaires or undergo specific personality tests to determine if they have NPD. Common screening tools used in narcissism diagnosis include:

International personality disorder examination (IPDE ⁴¹ )
Millon clinical multiaxial inventory III (MCMI-III ⁴² )
Personality diagnostic questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4 ⁴³ )

Mental health professionals (MHPs) may also conduct lab tests, physical exams, and psychological evaluations for differential diagnosis of NPD.

How To Treat Narcissism?

Narcissism, being a personality trait, cannot be permanently cured. However, a clinical narcissistic personality disorder can be addressed by a combination of therapy and medication.

Such treatment for narcissism can help relieve the symptoms of the disorder and improve certain negative thoughts and behaviors. Medications can help treat comorbid symptoms (such as anxiety and depression), but there are no particular medications for NPD.

Some of the commonly available options in treatment for narcissism include:

1. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is considered the most effective treatment ⁴⁴ for NPD. Such therapy is targeted at addressing the thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors related to narcissism.

Therapists work with the patients to make them realize how their behaviors are driven by their emotions and help them set goals associated with behavioral change. Psychotherapy can enable ⁴⁵ a narcissist to:

Identify the origin of emotions that lead to narcissistic behavior
Better regulate emotions
Accept criticism by acknowledging actual potential and competence
Identify and better self-esteem issues
Relate to and connect better with others to build more intimate relationships

Some of the most helpful and widely recommended forms of therapy for the treatment of narcissism typically include:

A 2000 study ⁵⁹ states “Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy have long been used in the treatment of patients with personality disorders (PDs).” Therapy helps to replace harmful beliefs and negative behaviors with positive ones by helping the patient identify them in the first place.

It can help them develop a more realistic and healthier self-image. In fact, studies ⁶⁰ have found that therapy can enable narcissists to develop empathy.

2. Medications

A mental health professional may prescribe certain medications to address symptoms of narcissism and other comorbid conditions (such as bipolar disorder, substance use disorder or addiction, anxiety, depression ⁶¹ , eating disorders, etc.).

For instance, antidepressants ⁶² (like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or anti-anxiety drugs) are commonly prescribed to NPD patients.

3. Lifestyle changes

Apart from psychotherapies and medications, experts suggest that lifestyle changes and coping strategies can also help treat clinical narcissism.

This can be especially important, as a person with narcissism may believe that treatment may not be worth it and is more likely to quit. The following strategies can help a narcissist to recover successfully:

Follow the doctor’s instructions, stick to the treatment plan, and attend therapy sessions regularly
Stay physically active and exercise regularly as it boosts your mood and self-esteem ⁶³
Practice deep breathing ⁶⁴ and other relaxation exercises, like mindfulness meditation ⁶⁵ , yoga ⁶⁶ , massage ⁶⁷ , and aromatherapy ⁶⁸ , to reduce stress anxiety and depressive symptoms
Avoid alcohol and other substances to better manage your thoughts, emotions, and behavior
Try volunteering ⁶⁹ and pursuing interests and hobbies to counter self-absorbing negative thoughts
Seek support from family members and friends
Join local support groups in your community or online
Learn positive conflict resolution strategies

Read More About Psychotherapy Here

Coping Strategies For Loved Ones

Living with a narcissist can be challenging, especially when they are your family member or friend. If you have a loved one with narcissistic personality disorder, here are a few tips that can help you cope better:

Identify the signs and symptoms of narcissism
Encourage them to seek treatment for NPD
Set strong and healthy personal boundaries
Don’t take their behavior personally
Practice self-care and do things that you enjoy
Be compassionate and respond to them calmly
Seek support from others and talk to friends and family
Consult a therapist, if needed

Takeaway

Although a person with narcissism may appear to be highly selfish and manipulative, we need to realize that it is a mental health condition that requires treatment and support.

With effective treatment, an individual can reduce the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, learn to be more empathic, build stronger self-esteem, reduce insecurities, and build better interpersonal relationships.

Narcissism At A Glance

Narcissism is excessive self-overvaluation that causes a distorted sense of self-worth and reduces a person’s empathic receptivity.
Its pathological form, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is a mental disorder.
A narcissistic individual seeks gratification from egotistic admiration of his/her own idealized traits and self-image.
People with NPD often fail to realize that they have a personality disorder and hence do not typically seek help or treatment.
Around 6.2% of the global population has a lifetime prevalence of NPD.
The symptoms of NPD include a sense of self-importance, grandiosity, or lack of intimacy or empathy that impair the narcissist’s everyday functioning.
NPD can be easily addressed with therapy and/or medication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is narcissism genetic?

Genetics and neurobiology might play a role in the development of narcissistic personality disorder. However, research contends that environmental factors are primarily associated with narcissism.

2. Is narcissism a mental illness?

Narcissism is a fundamental personality trait. However, when a person develops a clinical condition in which he/she harbors an inflated sense of self, a lack of empathy, and an obsession for attention—the person is said to suffer from a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

3. Can narcissism be cured?

There is no cure for narcissism because it is a fundamental personality trait. However, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can be addressed with psychotherapy, medication, and self-help strategies.

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Mental Health Topics (A-Z)

Narcissism

Narcissism

Table of Contents

What Is Narcissism?

History Of Narcissism

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Understanding Narcissism

Symptoms Of Narcissism

Types Of Narcissism

1. Grandiose narcissism

2. Vulnerable narcissism

3. Malignant narcissism

4. Other types

What Causes Narcissism?

1. Genetics

2. Trauma

3. Excessive praise

4. Other causes

What Are The Comorbidities Associated With Narcissism?

How To Diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

How To Treat Narcissism?

1. Psychotherapy

2. Medications

3. Lifestyle changes

Coping Strategies For Loved Ones

Takeaway

Narcissism At A Glance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is narcissism genetic?

2. Is narcissism a mental illness?

3. Can narcissism be cured?

References:

Mental Health Topics (A-Z)