Narcissistic Personality Diagnosis

Narcissus, an attractive young man in Greek mythology, supposedly fell in love with the water's reflection of his own face, which is where the term "narcissist" comes from. People sometimes use this term lightly, but narcissistic attitudes and behaviors may indicate a serious mental health condition---Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This disorder presents an inflated sense of self-worth, which can lead to severe interpersonal problems and trouble coping with everyday life. Mental health experts debate the causes of NPD but continue to study and treat the condition.

Diagnostic Criteria

• The Fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders/Text Revised (DSM-IV-TR) lists nine traits of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, for which a person must exhibit five or more for diagnosis. In summation, these traits are grandiose sense of self, an attitude of arrogance, feelings of entitlement, lack of empathy, demanding of admiration, exploitation of others, frequently envious or thinking others are envious of her, considering himself "privileged" and belonging with those of a high social status and believing fantasies of power and perfection are a reality. While it appears that a person with NPD has an over-inflated sense of self, this disorder may stem from low self-esteem or early childhood abuses.

Prevalence

• In August 2008, Psychiatric News reported study findings from Bridget Grant, Ph.D., who studied the lifetime prevalence of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Her findings show that NPD is more common in men than in women and in people who are unmarried. NPD is more common in younger people than in older adults, which adds to the controversy over whether NPD attitudes and behaviors can be unlearned or outgrown with maturity.

Complications

• Untreated Narcissistic Personality Disorder can lead to a range of complications. An exaggerated sense of self-worth and poor treatment of others may cause problems in relationships and in work or social settings. According to the Mayo Clinic, other complications may include substance abuse, suicidal ideations and eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa.

Evaluation and Treatment

• Mental health professionals diagnose NPD by the DSM-IV-TR criteria and through a series of questionnaires. While there is no pharmaceutical treatment for this disorder, psychiatrists may prescribe anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications to help patients cope. Psychotherapy is the standard form of treatment for NPD, which can help people with both cognitive processes and changing behaviors. The Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders suggests that psychotherapy with NPD encounters its own complications, as there may be difficulty establishing a good working relationship between the patient and therapist.

Considerations

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder can accompany additional personality disorders or other mental illnesses. For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, it's sometimes helpful for a person's family to be present during her meetings with mental health professionals. This can allow for a well-rounded discussion of the problems and additional support outside of therapy. People can contact their local health departments for information on seeking treatment within their communities.