Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissism is normal to some extent in everyone and is necessary for healthy self-esteem, but when they become extreme, they manifest as arrogance, condescension, and a superior attitude. If these behaviors are numerous and persistent, it’s considered a personality disorder. In our discussion of narcissism, it will be helpful to understand what causes this kind of disorder and its expression.
The kind of narcissism that most people think about when someone is identified as a narcissist is the unhealthy kind that has likely developed into a personality disorder. These individuals typically demonstrate at least five of the following traits:
- A grandiose sense of self-importance: They tend to exaggerate their achievements or talents and expect they will be recognized as superior, even without commensurate achievements.
- Preoccupation with fantasies of power, success, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love: They are obsessed with these concepts, and their behavior reflects that obsession.
- Believe they are special or unique: They feel they can only be understood by people they would consider a peer or higher status person, and they also believe they should only associate with unique people like themselves.
- Require excessive admiration: They expect and even need to be recognized for their achievements and admired for them.
- Arrogant, haughty behaviors and attitudes: They believe themselves to be superior and act accordingly.
Narcissism is defined as the tendency to consider oneself as superior, deserving, entitled, and unique or special, as well as having a propensity to demean, marginalize, and invalidate other people, so one can feel better about themselves. Narcissists come across as false and superficial; they judge others, are dismissive of their feelings and needs, and are completely self-absorbed.
If you want to know more about narcissists, I wrote a book «My Toxic Husband». There I talk in detail about narcissism and how to recognize a narcissist in the early stages.
