Again, apologies for the PD abbreviation, it doesn't let me type in the entire thing.
Disclaimer: I do not have Narcissistic Personality Disorder, so some of the stuff I say might be unintentionally hurtful or inaccurate - if you want to make any corrections, or just contribute anything at all to this, please let me know in comments or notes! Any edits requested will be left anonymous unless you ask to be identified
What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (or NPD) is a Cluster B personality disorder, the cluster characterised by 'unpredictable or dramatic' behaviours. Those with NPD may have an excessive sense of importance, a lack of empathy and a preoccupation with success. It may lead to troubled relationships and social isolation of the sufferer.
Symptoms include:
- exaggerated sense of self-importance
- exaggerates achievements and talents
- sense of entitlement
- obsession with success, class and status
- lack of awareness and empathy
- attitude of superiority
- may exploit others for personal gain
- severe anger
- expecting constant praise and attention
- difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
- difficulty regulating emotions
- secret feelings of insecurity and shame
- feeling hurt easily
NPD is usually diagnosed in adulthood and requires longstanding symptoms lasting over a year. As with many personality disorders, researchers are unsure of the exact causes of NPD, but is likely to be due to a combination of biological, social and genetic factors. Studies suggest that the disorder is slightly more likely to be diagnosed in individuals with a family history of the disorder. However, childhood interactions with friends and family also have a great impact on the likelihood of developing the disorder.
What Does Treatment Involve?
Many individuals with NPD will not seek out treatment for that disorder as they may not recognise the problem, and may be more likely to do so for depression, drug or alcohol use.
However, successful management is possible with long-term therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a common and efficient method, and family or marital therapy may help to address troubled relationships caused by the effects of NPD.
As those with NPD are often affected by depression, antidepressants may be prescribed.
What Are Some Myths About Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
- People with NPD are easy to diagnose
Many people may wrongly believe a person is suffering from NPD simply because of arrogant or grandiose behaviour. However, the disorder is far more complicated than this and a professional diagnosis is always needed to be sure a person has NPD. This tendency to diagnose "narcissists" is particularly harmful as it undermines those actually suffering from the disorder.
- People with NPD can't have close relationships
Although those with NPD may have extreme difficulty forming relationships, it is not impossible. While intimacy may be frightening or intimidating for those affected, they are able to maintain some relationships and are often more successfully able to do so with therapy.
- NPD isn't actually a disorder
Mental disorders are described as behavioural or mental patterns that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Though people with NPD may not appear to be in distress, their underlying feelings can be extremely difficult to manage and create massive suffering in their lives.
- Everyone with NPD is loud and flashy
No two people experience a disorder in exactly the same way, and although the cliche of NPD is a brash, grandiose individual, it is entirely possible for someone with NPD to be quiet and introverted. Though this form of NPD is less common, it is equally as valid and can cause equal problems for a sufferer and those close to them.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is among the more notorious personality disorders and there is a great deal of stigma surrounding it. Though relationships can be difficult, it is important to remember that those with NPD are people too, and are suffering through pains greater than you may realise.
My Mental Health Awareness Series!
Mental Health Awareness - Paranoid PDIt's been a while since I've done one of these, because there haven't really been any events that I've heard of, but I decided to do one without it. Again, apologies for the PD abbreviation, it doesn't let me type in the entire thing. So here's a journal to promote awareness and acceptance of Paranoid Personality Disorder.
Disclaimer: I do not have Paranoid Personality Disorder, so some of the stuff I say might be unintentionally hurtful or inaccurate - if you want to make any corrections, or just contribute anything at all to this, please let me know in comments or notes! Any edits requested will be left anonymous unless you ask to be identified
What Is Paranoid Personality Disorder?
Paranoid Personality Disorder (or PPD) is a Cluster A personality disorder, the cluster characterised by 'eccentric' behaviours. PPD results in an extreme distrust of others and a tendency to interpret their actions as negative or thr
Mental Health Awareness - Antisocial PDSo it's still Mental Health Awareness month, and according to my poll a lot of you wanted to know a bit more about Antisocial Personality Disorder. (I'm actually in the same boat haha, I'm very curious about ASPD and loved doing this research!) (Excuse the abbreviated title, the whole thing was too long)
Disclaimer: I do not have Antisocial Personality Disorder, so some of the stuff I say might be unintentionally hurtful or inaccurate - if you want to make any corrections, or just contribute anything at all to this, please let me know in comments or notes! Any edits requested will be left anonymous unless you ask to be identified
What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
Antisocial Personality Disorder (or ASPD), also known as sociopathy, is a Cluster B personality disorder. It is characterised by a long-standing pattern of low empathy leading to a continuous disregard for others' rights. People with ASPD may repeatedly break the law, become violent
Happy Schizophrenia Awareness Week! Happy Schizophrenia Awareness Week! This is probably one of the most stigmatised disorders out there so I figured I'd do some research and try to spread a little acceptance where I can<da:thumb id="670891982"/><da:thumb id="668262894"/>
Disclaimer: I do not have schizophrenia, so some of the stuff I say might be unintentionally hurtful or inaccurate - if you want to make any corrections, or just contribute anything at all to this, please let me know in comments or notes! Any edits requested will be left anonymous unless you ask to be identified
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterised by a disconnect from reality, episodes of psychosis involving hallucinations and periods of reduced functioning. It can affect people's thoughts, perceptions and behaviour and impacts all aspects of life. It's quite a common disorder, affecting about 1 in 100 people worldwide. It usually develops from the late teens to the early 30s. There are a fe
Happy World Autism Awarenesss Day!In Australia, it's April 2nd - Happy World Autism Awareness Day! Though this disorder is quite well-known, I feel like it is still widely misunderstood and there are a lot of myths going around that simply aren't true.
Disclaimer: I do not have autism, so some of the stuff I say might be unintentionally hurtful or inaccurate - if you want to make any corrections, or just contribute anything at all to this, please let me know in comments or notes! Any edits requested by notes will be left anonymous unless you ask to be identified
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person relates to their environment as well as to other people. Social communication and interaction abilities can be impaired, and interests and behaviours might be perceived as repetitive or restricted. Autism may also affect learning abilities. People with autism may have very sensitive senses and may avoid everyd
Happy World Bipolar Day!Hi everyone!
In Australia, it's the 30th of March - happy World Bipolar Day! I've never really done anything like this before, but since 2017 is the official beginning of an ongoing battle with my own mental health, I figured that it would be a good time to start promoting awareness for stigmatised disorders (and some non-stigmatised ones too). Some of these disorders I suffer from myself, some of them affect my friends and family, some of them I might have no experience with at all. The ones I have myself are obviously going to be more personal and accurate than the ones I don't, but I'll do my best to research them all and encourage people to become more aware and accepting of any disorders they might not understand
If there are any disorders that have awareness days/months/weeks and you want me to write about them, please let me know!
Disclaimer: I do not have bipolar disorder, so some of the stuff I say might be unintentionally hurtful or inaccurate - if you want to mak
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