A narcissistic personality disorder is still not considered a real thing by many people. However, time and again it has been proved that a narcissistic personality is one of the several types of personality disorders seen in many people.

 It is a mental health condition that makes a person feel that only he or she is important. Such people crave an extra need for everyone’s attention and appreciation. Not only this, such people are extremely vulnerable to criticism. They might act strongly on the outside, but you never know the amount of impact your words can leave on them.

This personality disorder might not pose a problem initially, but with time it starts causing troubles in many areas of life, including school, relationships, work, etc. Such people find everything unfulfilling and remain dissatisfied most of the time.

Causes of Narcissistic Personality

A person with this disorder could have been affected for a long time or anytime soon in life. Although the specific narcissistic personality disorder causes are not known, certain factors that are considered to be the cause include:

  • Family atmosphere: Many times, it is seen that kids who are adored too much at home tend to form such personalities. Some children are not ready to take no for an answer as their parents always pamper them. On the contrary, some children are always criticized by their parents. Such children can also develop this personality disorder.
  • Genes or Heredity: In some cases, narcissistic personality is developed due to heredity. It is inherited through genes from parents and has continued for generations.

Signs of Narcissistic Personality

The signs of narcissistic personality may vary from person to person. It can affect someone severely, or effect normally. People with this type of mental disorder show the following signs. 

  1. Self-importance: One of the most common traits of the narcissistic personality is that the person exhibits self-importance always. He or she gives themselves a lot of importance and expect others to do the same for them.
  1. Require admiration: People with NPD often crave admiration from others. Such people always work in exchange for getting appreciated for their efforts. They require constant and excessive admirations from time to time.
  1. Exaggerate themselves: A person with NPD always tries to exaggerate his or her achievements. They always think of themselves to be superior to others. It is why they overly speak about themselves and their achievements to make their superiority felt.
  1. Live in a fantasy world: Such people have created a world of fantasies where they think of themselves as successful, rich, and beautiful. They think of themselves as powerful and perfect in their own world.
  1. Treat others as smaller: As people with NPD always consider themselves to be superior to others. They always try to belittle the other person. They treat other people as inferior to them.
  1. Take advantage of others: Most of the time, it is seen that such people take advantage of others to get their things done. They act selfish and mean when it comes to fulfilling their own motives.
  1. Such people are envious: People with NPD cannot deal with criticism. Such people become envious of others as they believe others envy them. They cannot stand against people who tell them bad or do them badly.
  1. Cannot take criticism: Narcissistic personality disorder makes a person impatient and angry when they do not get the special treatment that they think they should get. The problem remains in them, but they always judge the other person.
  1. Remain stressed: Keeping so many thoughts about so many people makes them stressed almost all the time. They feel moody and depressed for a long time if someone criticizes them.
  1. Uncertain feelings: Most of the time, it is seen that people who have NPD showcase feelings like insecurity and vulnerability in many situations. They have low self-esteem in reality and feel humiliated quickly.

If you find any of these signs in yourself or the people around you, you should always consider getting a narcissistic personality disorder test done.

Treatment for narcissism

Treatment for Narcissism

The best treatment for NPD is said to be talk therapy. Also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy is known to help people come out of this personality disorder easily. 

Talk therapy is a convenient and effective way of dealing with the disorder. You can discuss your issues with your doctor, and he might ask you to seek help from a counselor.

Talk therapies are done under the guidance of experienced counselors. It helps you relate to others and form better relationships. It is seen in people with NPD that they find most of their relationships unfulfilling.

Psychotherapy can help you by making relationships more enjoyable and rewarding. It is what you learn from talk therapy:

  • Helps improve relations with fellow workers at the workplace.
  • You’ll learn to maintain healthy relationships with your partner.
  • You’ll learn to identify and manage your symptoms more efficiently.
  • It will help you recognize your potential so that you can tolerate criticisms and failures.
  • Regain self-esteem again.
  • It helps you understand yourself and manage your feelings.

The results of the treatment might not be immediate, but you will start noticing changes with time. If your symptoms are accompanied by depression or anxiety, your doctor might prescribe you some medications along with therapy.

Conclusion

You may opt for some small lifestyle changes that can help you to manage your NPD along with therapy. These changes are:

  • Avoid alcohol, drugs, or other substance abuse.
  • Make mindfulness techniques like yoga and meditation a part of your daily routine.
  • Engage in physical exercises to divert the mind and stay healthy.
  • Stay motivated and remind yourself of your strengths.

Recovery might take time, but it is possible. You might take a long time to overcome old habits. No specific medication is available for NPD. However, therapy has helped many.

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