Definition
By Mayo Clinic StaffA narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you're not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.
Narcissistic personality disorder treatment is centered around talk therapy (psychotherapy).
Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic StaffIf you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may feel a sense of entitlement — and when you don't receive special treatment, you may become impatient or angry. You may insist on having "the best" of everything — for instance, the best car, athletic club or medical care.
At the same time, you have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation. To feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make yourself appear superior. Or you may feel depressed and moody because you fall short of perfection.
Many experts use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose mental conditions. This manual is also used by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features:
- Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
- Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
- Exaggerating your achievements and talents
- Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
- Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
- Requiring constant admiration
- Having a sense of entitlement
- Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
- Taking advantage of others to get what you want
- Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
- Being envious of others and believing others envy you
- Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
When to see a doctor
When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may not want to think that anything could be wrong — doing so wouldn't fit with your self-image of power and perfection. People with narcissistic personality disorder are most likely to seek treatment when they develop symptoms of depression — often because of perceived criticisms or rejections.If you recognize aspects of your personality that are common to narcissistic personality disorder or you're feeling overwhelmed by sadness, consider reaching out to a trusted doctor or mental health provider. Getting the right treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable.
Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff- Mismatches in parent-child relationships with either excessive pampering or excessive criticism
- Genetics or psychobiology — the connection between the brain and behavior and thinking
Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic StaffNarcissistic personality disorder affects more males than females, and it often begins in the teens or early adulthood.
Although the cause of narcissistic personality disorder isn't known, some researchers think that in biologically vulnerable children, parenting styles that overemphasize the child's specialness and criticize fears and failures may be partially responsible. The child may hide low self-esteem by developing a superficial sense of perfection and behavior that shows a need for constant admiration.
Complications
By Mayo Clinic Staff- Relationship difficulties
- Problems at work or school
- Depression
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt what has been going on in my life for the past 16 years. I spent so much time trying to figure out if I was going crazy like he insisted I was, and told everyone that I was. Everything has always been my fault, he has never done anything wrong he says. But now I know it was all part of his plan. He feels so little about himself that he has to maliciously tear me to shreds to make himself feel better about himself. Everything is always about him and if its not one way or another he will make it about him.
The sad thing that I realized is, he really did intentionally do shit to hurt me, just so he could take more sadistic pleasure in my pain. I cannot believe how anyone can be so cruel. He has no remorse no empathy no nothing.
Now that I have the verification of all this going on now we see how I handle the shit he throws at me. He has already tried numerous times to set me off, this morning and last night. And I have not let him do it. I just pretend nothing is fazing me. I wont let him feed off me anymore.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment