A Better Understanding On Living with Someone With Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
It's common human nature to seek attention and prioritize yourself every once in a while. But people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) take it a notch higher. They crave compliments but may creep into pathological territory if left unchecked.
This is a mental disorder where people have an inflated sense of importance or grandiosity, a lack of regard for other people, and a need for admiration. However, behind this facade of extreme confidence, lies within is fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the smallest of criticisms.
Someone can be narcissistic but not having the disorder. They may be self-absorbed and hypercompetitive, but not to the point that it interferes with their activities of daily living.
A person with a narcissistic personality disorder may experience difficulties in various areas of life such as school, work, and relationships as they find their relationships unfulfilling and feeling that they are not getting what they rightfully deserve.
Diagnosis
Since it is possible to be diagnosed with more than one personality disorder at the same time, and some features of narcissistic personality disorder are almost similar to other personality disorders, its diagnosis can be a bit challenging.
There are currently no blood test, MRI, or exact scale available to confirm the presence of this mental disorder, many professionals make use of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, which is a list of 40 questions, as a means for measuring how much attention and power someone craves.
Diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder typically is based on the presence of 5 of the following 9 criteria, or 55% of the symptoms as published in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Treatment
People with NPD usually do not know that they have a problem. Their defensiveness makes it difficult for them to acknowledge any problems or vulnerabilities. If they ever do seek treatment, it's usually because of experiencing other symptoms such as being depressed or turning to drug or alcohol use.
Since these people are vulnerable to insults, it may be difficult for them to accept and follow through with treatment. Psychotherapy can help them increase empathy and compassion, by building a healthier, more realistic expectation of other people while building up their low self-esteem in the process. It is important to do short-term therapy in order to deal with periods of crisis or stress, and the involvement of a family member or a significant other can be helpful in achieving and maintaining goals.
Living with NPD
There are no medications available for the treatment of NPD. But since NPD is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be helpful to alleviate some of the symptoms present.
There is no known way to prevent this condition as genetics and environmental factors can play a role in the development of this condition. Overprotective or neglectful parenting styles can also contribute to a child's tendency to develop this disorder, setting boundaries on a child's behavior during the first three years can have a remarkable significance on how he/she grows up.
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Sep 17, 2020 07:20 AM EDT
