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Narcissistic Personality Disorder
By: Matthew Sanders
P.1
Define
 a personality disorder characterized especially by an
exaggerated sense of self-importance, persistent
need for admiration, lack of empathy for others,
excessive pride in achievements, and snobbish,
disdainful, or patronizing attitudes
History / Mythology
 Narcissus was a handsome
young man who rejected
the desperate advances of
the nymph Echo who loved
him. As a punishment, the
gods doomed him to fall in
love with his own reflection
in a pool of water. Unable
to consummate his love,
Narcissus pined away and
changed into the flower
that bears his name.
Important information
 Havelock Ellis to be the first in history to bring the concept
of 'narcissism' to psychology in 1898. Havelock used
“Narcissus-like tendency” in an essay on "autoeroticism"(autoerotism/masturbation) where he described
it as "the phenomenon of spontaneous sexual arousal
without any suggestion of direct or indirect involvement of
another person". He described the phenomenon of autoeroticism, which he believed was more common to women
& lesser seen in men, when the person develops an increase
level of self-admiration, the Narcissus-like tendency, which
he described as useful at a normal level, however, he
continued, sometimes women exist for themselves,
excluding any attraction for other people
Cont.
 He brought up a case of 28 year old lady, active and
intelligent, but with no clear sexual inclination toward
the opposite sex, where she showed an intense
admiration for her own person, especially her thighs.
She never seemed happier than when she was alone
and naked in her bedroom. Havelock believed many
women have these tendencies to some extent, they
enjoy seeing themselves in the mirror.
Different types of NPD
 There are four different types of Narcissistic
Personality Disorder( NPD). You have elitists,
amorous, unprincipled narcissistic and compensatory
 Elitist
fell privileged and empowered and tend to flaunt
their status and achievements. Usually upwardly
mobile, the elitist desperately engages in selfpromotion and tries to cultivate status and any
opportunity to be recognized
Cont.

Amorous Narcissist
tends to be sexually seductive, yet avoids real
intimacy. Such individuals are especially drawn to
tempting naïve and emotionally needy people, with
whom they play a game in which they deceptively
imply that they are interested in pursuing a close
relationship; however their only real interest is
temporarily exploiting the other’s warm body
Cont.
 Unprincipled Narcissists
are much like antisocial individuals in that they tend
to be unscrupulous, deceptive, arrogant, and
exploitive. Even when found guilty of illegal behavior,
they convey an attitude of nonchalance, acting as if
the victim were to blame for not having caught on to
what was happening
Cont.
 Compensatory Narcissists
tend to be negativistic, seeking to counteract their
deep feelings of inferiority. They try to create illusions
of being superior and exceptional
Associated Features
 Feelings
hyper-sensitive to criticism
lack of sense of humor
care only about appearances
cruel
impulsive
naïve
stingy
self-contradictory
pessimistic
Symptoms
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Believing that you're better than others
Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
Exaggerating your achievements or talents
Expecting constant praise and admiration
Believing that you're special and acting accordingly
Failing to recognize other people's emotions and
feelings
 Expecting others to go along with your ideas and
plans
 Taking advantage of others
Cont.
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Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
Being jealous of others
Believing that others are jealous of you
Trouble keeping healthy relationships
Setting unrealistic goals
Being easily hurt and rejected
Having a fragile self-esteem
Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional
DSM-IV
 An exaggerated sense of ones own abilities and
achievements
 A constant need for attention affirmation
Cont.
 Specific personality disorders are diagnosed based on DSM-IV-TR
criteria. The general criteria in DSM-IV-TR emphasize the need to
consider whether other mental or physical disorders (eg,
depression, substance abuse, hyperthyroidism) can account for
the patient's patterns of behavior.
 Patients' emotional reactions and their perspectives on what
causes their problems and how other people treat them can
provide information about their disorder. Diagnosis is based on
observing repetitive patterns of behavior or perceptions that
cause distress and impair social functioning. Because the patient
often lacks insight into these patterns, physicians may initially
seek information from and evaluation by others who interact
with the patient. Often, physicians suspect a personality disorder
based on their own discomfort, typically if they begin to feel
angry or defensive.
Etiology
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Lack of affection and praise during child hood
Neglect and emotional abuse in childhood
Unpredictable and unreliable care giving parents
Learning manipulative behaviors from parents
Parental disdain for fear and needs expressing during
childhood
Prevalence
 This disorder is rare
 It effects more men than women
 Many adolescence may seem to have traits of
narcissism but mat be typical for there age
 About 13% of the general population is affected.
Antisocial personality disorder occurs in about 2%,
with men outnumbering women 6:1. Borderline
personality disorder occurs in about 1%, with women
outnumbering men 3:1.
Treatments
 Cognitive behavior therapy
In general, cognitive behavioral therapy helps you
identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and
replace them with healthy, positive ones.
 Family therapy
Family therapy typically brings the whole family
together in therapy sessions. You and your family
explore conflicts, communication and problem
solving to help cope with relationship problems.
Cont.
 Group therapy
In which you meet with a group of people with similar
conditions, may be helpful by teaching you to relate
better with others. This may be a good way to learn
about truly listening to others, learning about their
feelings and offering support.
Prognosis
 There’s a possibility that you can get better but it will
take a long time and intense therapy. You would have
to realize personal aspect of your own life.
Reference
 Retrieved from
http://narcissisticpersonalitydisordernarcissism.com/h
istoryofnarcissism.php
 Retrieved from
http://www.narcissisticpersonalitydisordersymptoms.
com/
 Nov. 5, 2010 retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcissisticpersonality-disorder/DS00652/DSECTION=symptoms
 September 23, 2002 retrieved
http://allpsych.com/disorders/personality/index.html
Cont.
 Gunderson J.G. September 2007, personality disorder
retrieved from
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec15/ch201/c
h201a.html
 Retrieved from dictionary.com
 Retrieved from about.com
 Retrieved from halcyon.com
 Halgrin, r.p.& whit Bourne, s.k. (2005)
abnormal psychology: clinical perspective on psychology
disorders new york :mcgraw hill