Photo by WonderlaneWhat is narcissistic personality disorder is a question many of you may ask. We’ve all heard it before in movies when describing villains or maybe on some show about serial killers and the like. But I guess to understand the true meaning of this condition we first must understand the breakdown.
First off, narcissism is described as someone that is selfish or vane. Basically, someone that is egotistical and in love with themselves. Narcissistic personality disorder sufferers consider themselves the best thing in the world and put themselves above all others.
How to Spot Someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders there are several sure fire signs you can observe to identify someone with narcissistic personality disorder.
They may have fantasies about living an unrealistic lifestyle, will crave attention and admiration above all other things, and usually have a great lack of empathy for others. Of course psychologists say that these tendencies start in early childhood. Possibly insecurity caused by the way they were treated as children. Made to feel like dirt and talked badly to, so they grow up thinking they’re worthless.
But no matter what causes someone to develop narcissistic personality disorder they are always acting like a horses umm, well you get the picture.
They are known to lie constantly, telling tall tales of how they’ve done great things and normally will treat friends and family like they’re trash. Not only this, but they usually have delusions of grandeur, thinking they’re the best thing since sliced bread, regardless of any great accomplishments they may or may not of done.
According to statistics, there are approximately one million Americans who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder. But remember, in order to receive such a diagnosis, they’re condition has to be quite severe. You may also find that symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder will include substance abuse, depression and any number of other mental contortions.
Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder Dangerous?
It’s not extremely common, but the most severe sufferers of narcissistic personality disorder will have fits of rage and may even become violent. This is especially common when the patient is experiencing rejection or possibly having their fantasy world threatened by certain circumstances.
For instance, someone with NPD may feel certain people in their life do not fit into the lifestyle they are pretending to lead. So attacks on these persons may be an attempt to eliminate that unbalance or conflict of interests. This is merely because they don’t have the personality skills to think about the outcome for their actions before it’s too late.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder as an Excuse
Even though NPD is an actual documented medical disorder, it still doesn’t excuse someone for unusual or violent behavior. Normally when NPD is mentioned in a court of law it is used as a last ditch effort to waive the judge’s decision during sentencing, in hopes of getting a lighter sentence. It’s nothing more than an attempt to rationalize the crime and excuse it because of a mental disorder.
Although this tactic is used quite often in criminal cases, it very rarely has the desired outcome. This defense has a poor track record of developing a plea of insanity as well.
According to psychiatrists, even the worst case of narcissistic personality disorder doesn’t mean the person has no distinction between right and wrong. They are totally in touch with reality, just living in a fantasy world.
This condition has not always been recognized for what it is, and in early days was probably treated similar to most other mental disorders. Of course back then these conditions were often treated with The Unorthodox Methods for Curing Mental Illness. Thankfully today treatments have become much more humane and hopefully anyone suffering from this can find the help they need before it gets out of hand.
Are you dealing with Narcissistic Personality Disorder or know someone who is? Please help add to the discussion any helpful information that can bring a better understanding of this diagnosis in the comments below…
Hello there Robert. Just thought I’d leave you a comment on this post (seemed as good as any) to say that I’ve read a few of your posts and I’m liking the blog! Expect to see me around in the comments! 😉
Excellent Shaun, pleased you’re enjoying the blog and am glad to have you on board. I’m excited to read what you add to the discussions.
Narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders. I heard about it several times… But never took so close look at it like you did! Thanks for sharing!
Yah it’s actually a pretty scary thing Martin. I never realized until doing my research that there are a couple of people in my life that this fits perfectly. But it’s probably one of those conditions you could never convince someone they had, it would have to be a self-realization thing.
This is all in this post” According to psychiatrists, even the worst case of narcissistic personality disorder doesn’t mean the person has no distinction between right and wrong. They are totally in touch with reality, just living in a fantasy world.” True
Thanks for validating my point Mark, NPD is very real and can be quite scary in the worst cases. It’s also something that takes a lot of time and work with the inner child to conquer.
narcissistic personality disorder comes to who performing violent actions and think he is above of the people. he is following his fantasy world and when it is rejected people will become like this.
Hi Robert,
I agree with you that people who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder are totally in touch with reality, but they are living in a fantasy world wherein whatever they want can happen. I actually do know a person who sports this kind of personality. While I am not really sure if it makes him feel any better, we all know about his poor past, and up to now he’s a bum, living off on his sisters’ help. He makes it look like he’s living the dream (in his Facebook page), but in reality, we see him as a normal “financially broke” person.
While I feel sorry for him, most people I know don’t like him because they say he tells tall tales about himself all the time.
I don’t know how he will be ever able to overcome this kind of disorder, but I sure hope it will not be too late for him. There’s nothing wrong with fantasizing that you are superior or something, right? But of course, you have to keep your feet planted to the ground if you want other people to keep in touch with you.
Thank you Emily for a great comment. This sort of personality disorder seems to be more and more common as days progress. Although there are different degrees of “infection” so to speak, the symptoms are all the same.
You’re right that there’s nothing wrong with fantasizing about being something great. Doing that is a good step to bettering yourself if you look at it as goals and not reality.
I wish your friend the best of luck, hopefully with his friends help he can begin to accept who he really is and use his fantasies for goal setting. 🙂
to read the Narcissistic personality disorder i think there are a boy carrying this personality disorder. i shall write about next.
Mariaroseria, I believe this disorder is more widespread than anyone can imagine. Certainly we’ve all encountered someone who suffers from this in our life at one time or another.
Check back with us and give us an opportunity to read your writing on this. Any extra information may help us all better understand this condition.
nice writing. Narcissistic pesonality disorder is a very complicated subject. and every man should understand this. i fully agree with you
I was in a relationship with a man for 1.5 years who very likely had NPD. Although hurtful, confusing and negative, in the end today after understanding what happened to me, it offered a unique life skills learning accomplishment.
Those with pathological narcissism are truly troubled individuals. I see no advantages in being this way. Most suffer from other mental health issues, loneliness ,isolation and abandonment form others. The most startling aspect of this disorder of course is the total lack of emotions and empathy, so foreign to human beings.
Peter, I can appreciate your experience with this subject. NPD is something that very hard to understand as it’s symptoms change severely depending on the person. Having to live with someone afflicted with this condition makes it that much harder to understand as all kinds of emotions may cloud both parties from the real problem.
But you’re right, there really is no advantage to this type of behavior, but I fear it’s something that isn’t easily fixed unfortunately.