What are the characteristics of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Today, many people label others as narcissists. It’s a word that has become popular. Often, certain diagnoses start to become normalized as a way to describe other people’s traits or behaviors. However, it’s important not to diagnose if you lack training and avoid judging or “labeling” others. So, what does it mean to have a diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition in which individuals have a heightened sense of self-importance. This involves a general pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
People with this diagnosis often need and seek a lot of attention from others. They may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of those around them, and as a result, they may sometimes tend to exploit relationships to meet their own needs. Let’s look at the criteria according to the DSM-5.
To meet the diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, an individual must exhibit at least five of the following nine criteria:
Grandiosity: having an exaggerated sense of self-importance, abilities, or achievements. Requires excessive and constant admiration.
Fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. Insists on having the best of everything, such as the best car or office.
Belief in being “special” or “unique” and only able to be understood or should associate with high-status people or organizations. Feels entitled to special privileges and treatment.
Excessive need for admiration, even without any particular achievements.
Sense of entitlement: unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with their expectations.
Tendency to exploit relationships: taking advantage of others to achieve their own goals.
Lack of empathy: difficulty recognizing or identifying with the feelings and needs of others.
Frequent envy of others or belief that others envy them.
Arrogant or haughty attitudes.
To provide an accurate diagnosis, symptoms must be persistent and cause impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of the individual’s life. The mental health professional should also consider the individual’s context and history. Do you know anyone who might meet some of these criteria? Do you find it challenging to relate to this person? Next, we will discuss some recommendations to minimize the impact when dealing with people with this diagnosis. It’s important to note that if this behavior affects you emotionally, you should seek mental health services. Through psychotherapy, you will be able to channel feelings, get psychoeducation, support, and other resources for effective management.
- Educate yourself about the disorder. There are times when these individuals may seem charming, which can be confusing.
- Set clear boundaries. Openly communicate which behaviors are unacceptable.
- Be assertive. Speak up. Try to do so in a calm and gentle tone. Communicate how their words or behaviors negatively impact your life.
- Avoid unnecessary confrontations. Don’t try to change their nature.
- Seek support from others, such as a mental health professional, friends, or family.
- Understand that this person needs help. Practice compassion.
- Recognize when it’s time to leave the relationship, especially if your mental or physical health is affected if you feel manipulated, controlled, or isolated, and if you are being emotionally or verbally abused, or threatened in various ways.
- Take care of yourself.
Relating to people with mental health challenges can be demanding. This is why it’s recommended to educate yourself, practice self-evaluation, cultivate understanding, and patience, and maintain an open mind. For more information, here are some links:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder | Psychology Today
Narcissistic Personality Disorder – Symptoms and Causes – Mayo Clinic
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