DESIREE MENENDEZ PERIOD 5 NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER

WHAT IS NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER (NPD)? Definition: Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a condition in which people have an inflated and unrealistic sense of self importance and an extreme preoccupation with themselves.

History background: The term “narcissistic” derives from the Greek legend of Narcissus. He is known as “the youth who fell in love with his own reflection in a pond.”

ASSOCIATED FEATURES 1. Has a high sense of self-importance. Exaggerates achievements and talents 2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love 3. Believes that he or she is "special” and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people 4. Needs excessive admiration and attention

ASSOCIATED FEATURES 5. Has a sense of unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment 6. Takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends 7. Lacks empathy 8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her 9. Shows superior, snobby, or conceited behaviors or attitudes

ETIOLOGY Cause The exact cause is unknown Theories Neglect or abuse Excessive pampering When a child’s parents strive for their children to be extremely talented

PREVALENCE Less than 1% of the population have NPD It is seen in 2% -16% of psychiatric outpatients More frequent in males

TREATMENT Treatment options are limited Psychotherapy Medications Self-help resources Long term insight oriented therapy

PROGNOSIS “Prognosis is limited and based mainly on the individual’s ability to recognize their underlying inferiority and decreased sense of self worth. With insight and long term therapy, the symptoms can be reduced in both number and intensity.” There is a chance of improving the behaviors and thoughts that NPD patients have through therapy and medication.

(1)HOW DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WITH NPD ARE TREATED BY OTHERS AND IN WHAT OTHER WAYS DO YOU THINK THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER IMPACTS THEIR LIFESTYLES? (2)DO YOU THINK THAT PATIENTS WITH NPD PUT ON A COVER THAT THEY ARE “SPECIAL” BUT ARE RATHER JUST VERY INSECURE? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

REFERENCES American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author. Halgin, R.P. & Whitbourne, S.K. (2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY. McGraw Hill. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. ( ). Narcissistic personality disorder. Retrieved from c_narcissistic_personality_disorder.aspx