Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms

NPD usually appears in early adulthood.

People with the disorder may not recognize that they have a problem since having a problem goes against their self-image. You may have NPD if:
you come across as pretentious and boastful, causing others to avoid you
your relationships are unfulfilling
you become unhappy, angry, and confused when things don’t go your way
you have ongoing issues with:
work, school, relationships, finances, alcohol and drugs.
If you believe you have NPD, schedule an appointment with a doctor or mental health professional. They can determine whether you have this personality disorder and suggest treatments to help you manage your symptoms.

Narcissistic personality disorder causes and risk factors
The causes of NPD aren’t well-understood.
Genetics are thought to be at least partly responsible for many cases of NPD. Contributing environmental factors may include:
childhood abuse or neglect
excessive parental pampering
unrealistic expectations from parents
According to a 2021 study, research is mixed on whether narcissism is more common in individualistic cultures than in collectivistic cultures.

Narcissistic personality disorder diagnostic criteria
Doctors and mental health professionals often use the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR),” published by the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose mental health conditions, such as NPD.

The DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for NPD include the following traits:

having an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement
needing constant admiration and praise
expecting special treatment due to perceived superiority
exaggerating achievements and talents
reacting negatively to criticism
being preoccupied with fantasies about power, success, and beauty
taking advantage of others
having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of other people
behaving in an arrogant manner
A doctor or mental health professional may ask you to fill out a questionnaire to help determine whether you meet these criteria. They may also test you for other mental disorders and health conditions.

Narcissistic personality disorder treatment
Treatment for NPD primarily consists of talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy.

If symptoms of NPD occur alongside depression or another mental health condition, you may take medications to treat the other condition. There are no medications to treat NPD.

Talk therapy
Talk therapy can help you learn how to relate better to others so your relationships can become more enjoyable, intimate, and rewarding. Positive interactions with others can significantly improve various areas of your life.

Talk therapy can also show you how to:

improve collaboration with your co-workers and peers
maintain personal relationships
recognize your strengths and potential so you can tolerate criticisms or failures
understand and manage your feelings
cope with any self-esteem issues
set realistic goals for yourself
Since personality traits can be difficult to change, it may take several years of therapy before you see an improvement. During this time, you may begin to see therapy as a waste of time and be tempted to quit. However, it’s important to stick with it. You can connect to a mental health professional using the Healthline FindCare tool.

Attend all your therapy sessions and take any medications as directed. With time, you may see a difference in yourself and your relationships with others.

Lifestyle changes
The following lifestyle changes may help you as you go through therapy:

Avoid substances that may trigger problematic behaviours.
Identify and pursue healthy habits.
Engage in relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Ref: Healthline.com