Narcissistic Personality Disorder 101

The Mayo Clinic defines narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) as a mental health condition in which a person has an unreasonably high sense of their own importance, craving and seeking too much attention with a need for others to admire them. People with this disorder may also lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. However, behind the mask of extreme confidence, they are likely to be unsure of their own self-worth and are easily upset by even the slightest criticism.

What are the behaviors?

The behaviors associated with NPD and their severity can vary from person to person and can include:

• Looking down on and being critical of others
• Expecting to be seen as superior
• Taking advantage of others to get what they want
• Believing others are envious of them

However, since someone with NPD may actually be extremely insecure, other behaviors may look like:

• Belittling others to make themselves feel superior
• Becoming angry when they don’t receive special treatment or recognition
• Feeling moody when they aren’t perfect
• Having secret feelings of insecurity or shame

What causes it?

While there is no official known cause of NPD, there are different factors that can contribute to a diagnosis:

1. Genetic predisposition. If you have a family member with the disorder, you are more likely to be diagnosed.
2. Adverse early childhood experiences. Excessive praise or admiration as a child can foster a sense of entitlement, while experiences of rejection or neglect in childhood may cause insecurity and a need for validation.
3. Psychological factors. This may include difficulty regulating emotions, a lack of empathy, and an excessive need for attention.

Narcissistic personality disorder can cause issues in relationships, at work or school, and may also contribute to other mental health diagnoses such as depression or anxiety. 

How is it treated?

Typically, NPD is treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. This type of therapy focuses on helping patients accept responsibility for their actions, improve their relationships with others, and understand the root causes of their emotions, including their need to compete and feel superior.

If you or someone you know is experiencing behaviors related to narcissistic personality disorder, help is available at Centerstone. Call us at 1-877-HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123) or visit our counseling services page to get connected with care today.