Generality
Narcissism is a very complex personality disorder, in which the subject who suffers from it develops a true obsession with his own image.
The clinical and symptomatological characteristics of the pathological picture are variable, but it is always possible to recognize three distinctive elements:
- Self-consideration in terms of superiority (grandiosity) in fantasy or behavior;
- The constant need for admiration;
- The lack of empathy (ie the inability to recognize that other people also have desires, feelings and needs).
The impact of pathological narcissism can be significant in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school, or financial affairs.
The treatment of this disorder is centered on medium to long-term cognitive therapy, as the personality traits and interpersonal attitudes characteristic of the disease require a long time to be modified.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissism is a personality trait and can be considered, to some extent, a normal state. However, if this psychological attitude seriously interferes with interpersonal relationships, daily commitments and the quality of life, it can take on pathological dimensions and significance.
In psychiatry, narcissism is referred to as a personality disorder.
Affected people tend to magnify their abilities exceedingly and make themselves the exclusive and preeminent center of their interest, becoming the object of smug admiration. Individuals who manifest a narcissistic personality are constantly absorbed by fantasies of success. unlimited and manifest an almost exhibitionistic need for attention and admiration.In addition, these people are unable to recognize and perceive the feelings of others, tend to exploit others to achieve their own ends or despise the value of their work.
Behind this mask, however, the narcissist has a fragile self-esteem that makes him vulnerable to the slightest criticism. If he encounters failure, due to his high opinion of himself, he can easily manifest extreme anger or depression.
Causes of Pathological Narcissism
The causes of narcissism are not yet well understood, but the opinion is shared that this personality disorder may be the result of the complex combination of several social, psychological and biological factors.
These elements would intervene in the course of the individual's development, influencing his behavior and thinking. In particular, the clinical picture can be favored by parents who believe in the superiority of the future narcissist and attach great importance to success, excessively criticizing fears and failures.
Narcissistic personality disorder can also result from growing up in a family environment unable to provide the child with the necessary attention; over time, in response to this attitude, the subject would resolve the continuing threat to their self-esteem, developing a sense of superiority and behavior that demonstrates the need for constant admiration.
Usually, Narcissistic Personality Disorder appears in the teenage years or early adulthood.
During childhood, children can show a narcissistic attitude, but this can simply represent a transitory character of their age and does not mean that they will develop a real pathological picture.
The prevalence estimates of narcissistic personality disorder range from 2 to 16% in the clinical population, while they are less than 1% in the general population.
50-75% of individuals who receive this diagnosis belong to the male sex.
Symptoms
- Narcissistic personality disorder manifests itself with an exaggerated sense of superiority: the subjects who suffer from it tend to consider themselves better than others, they exalt their abilities and their successes and believe excessively in their own worth. This behavior makes narcissists presumptuous, arrogant, selfish and exhibitionistic.
- A direct consequence of this conduct is the constant need for admiration on the part of others, who are idealized or devalued depending on whether or not they recognize their status as unique and special people.
- Another peculiar feature is the lack of empathy, which gives rise to the belief that one's needs come before anything else. Since narcissists see themselves as superior to others, they believe they are allowed to meet their own needs without waiting, so they can exploit others, whose needs and opinions are deemed of little value. Furthermore, narcissistic people argue that their way of seeing things is the only one that is universally right.
- Often, people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder believe that others envy or admire them, but are hypersensitive to criticism, failure, and setback. The dimension represented by the tendency to grandiosity, uniqueness and superiority, is therefore contrasted by feelings of vulnerability, insecurity, fragility and fear of confrontation. When faced with an inability to satisfy their high opinion of themselves, narcissists may react with anger or contempt, develop panic attacks, become deeply depressed or even attempt suicide.
