Carlos Moron Psychology Period 3

Narcissistic personality disorder  A persuasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy, an unrealistic sense of self, and an inflated sense of own importance, beginning in early adulthood.

Associated features  Grandiose sense of self-importance.  Preoccupation with fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.  Believe that they are “special” that they associate only with other special people who can understand them.  Need for excessive admiration.  Sense of entitlement.  Exploitive interpersonal style.  Lack of empathy.  Envy of others or belief that others are envious.  Arrogant, haughty behavior and attitude.

Associated features  DSM-IV-TR A grandiose sense of self-importance. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. Believes he/she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or high-status people. Requires excessive admiration. Has a sense of entitlement.

Continued Interpersonally exploitative, takes advantage of others to achieve his/her own end. Lacks empathy. Is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him/her. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

Etiology  The traditional Freudian Psychoanalytical approach regards narcissism as the failure to progress beyond the early stages of psychosexual development. There may be disturbance in the development of the child's sense of self. Also the lack of recognition to ones accomplishments creates insecurity which is expressed in a sense of self-importance. The individual develops a false self based on grandiose and unrealistic notions about themselves.

Prevalence  Estimate of prevalence of Narcissistic Personality Disorder ranges from 2% to 16% in the clinical population, and less than 1% in the general population  Those diagnosed with Narcissistic personality disorder, 50% to 75% are male.

Treatment Therapy via the…  Psychodynamic Approach This therapy uses empathy. The purpose is to guide the individual to a more realistic appreciation that no one is flawless.  Cognitive-Behavioral Approach This therapy is oriented towards reducing the persons grandiosity and enhancing the individuals ability to relate to others. It works with the persons self-aggrandizing and egocentric tendencies. Also the therapist will not give into the clients demands for special favors and attention

Prognosis  Even though they may be susceptible to always demand constant and immediate complementation and gratification, this attitude can be modified so they have a more realistic perception of themselves. Through therapy, the patient can be able to learn to set limits for themselves.  The more recognition and support given to the individual, the less grandiose and self-centered they will be.

References Holgan, R.P. & Whitbourne, S.K. (2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Psychiatric association, A. (2000). Dsm-1v-tr. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. joker ‑ jpg. (2008). From Image Collection database.

Discussion  Is it possible that we all have a little of narcissism in us?  When can it be considered a disorder?