Are you or someone you know a pathological narcissist? Is your significant other driving you nuts with their self-centered behavior? The first step to dealing with someone with pathological narcissism is to understand what it is; the next step is to get that someone professional help.

Pathological narcissism or NPD is a lifelong pattern of traits and behaviors which suggest obsession with ones’ self to the exclusion of all others, and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one’s own gratification, dominance and ambition. This is very distinct from ‘healthy narcissism’ which we all possess; pathological narcissism is maladaptive, persistent, causes significant distress and functional impairment.

To meet the diagnosis of a personality disorder, the person’s problematic behaviors must appear in two or more of the following areas:

  • Perception and interpretation of the self and other people
  • Intensity and duration of feelings and their appropriateness to situations
  • Relationships with others
  • Ability to control impulses

There are nine traits listed in the DSM-IV that distinguish a narcissistic personality. In general, narcissism is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity” in fantasy or behavior”, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. It is indicated by five (or more) of the following:

  1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance ( e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
  2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
  3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
  4. Requires excessive admiration
  5. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
  6. Is interpersonally exploitive, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
  7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
  8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
  9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Watch: How to Outsmart a Narcissist The Right Way

 

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  1. You know how to tell if you are a narcissist? You are married to a Kardashian, you have a line of women’s fashion that no one in their right mind wants to buy, and you used to be a rapper that people respected, but now all you talk about is how you made Taylor Swift famous and need to raise a billion dollar. That;s what I call narcissism.

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