Narcissistic Personality Disorder

What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Quick Summary:

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by self-centeredness. Like histrionic disorder, people with this disorder seek attention and praise. They exaggerate their achievements, expecting others to recongize them as being superior. They tend to be choosy about picking friends, since they believe that not just anyone is worthy of being their friend. Narcissists tend to make good first impressions, yet have difficulty maintaining long-lasting relationships. They are generally uninterested in the feelings of others and may take advantage of them.

Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder:

• Requires excessive praise and admiration
• Takes advantage of others
• Grandiose sense of self-importance
• Lack of empathy
• Lying, to self and others
• Obsessed with fantasies of fame, power, or beauty

Additional Information:

Narcissism is most often found in men and is often diagnosed with other mental disorders.

Talk about narcissistic personality disorder on our narcissism forum.

Books on Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Loving the Self-Absorbed: How to Create a More Satisfying Relationship with a Narcissistic Partner
"Author Nina Brown gives readers specific steps for limiting the effect of a partner's narcissistic behavior and getting what they need out of the relationship. She explains the five types of "destructive narcissism" and how to recognize their effects on a relationship."

The Narcissistic Family : Diagnosis and Treatment
"Narcissistic families have a parental system that is, for whatever reason (job stress, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness, physical disability, lack of parenting skills, self-centered immaturity), primarily involved in getting its own needs met."

The Narcissistic And Borderline Disorders: An Integrated Developmental Approach
"A fully integrated developmental approach that not only differentiates between varying etiologies of the narcissistic and borderline disorders but also provides a detailed guide to effective treatment."

Where to Get More Help and Information

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder