Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a persistent pattern of emotions, cognitions and behavior that results in enduring emotional distress for the person affected and/or for others and may cause difficulties with work and relationships. DSM-5 divides the personality disorders into three groups or clusters. The cluster division is based on resemblance. Cluster A is called the odd or eccentric clusters; it includes paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders. Cluster B is the dramatic, emotional or erratic cluster; it consists of antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Cluster C is the anxious or fearful cluster, it includes avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.
Cluster "B"
People diagnosed with the cluster B personality disorders - Antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic- all have behaviors that have been described as a dramatic, emotional, or erratic.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
In narcissistic personality disorder, people think highly of themselves -perhaps, exaggerating their real abilities. They consider themselves somehow different from others and deserving of special treatment. Psychoanalysts, including FREUD, used the term narcissistic to describe people who show an exaggerated sense of self-importance and are preoccupied with receiving attention.
SYMPTOMS
- Grandiose view of own uniqueness and abilities.
- Preoccupied with fantasies of great success.
- Self-Centered.
- Require almost constant attention.
- Require excessive admiration.
- Lack of empathy.
- Feelings of envy and arrogance.
- Take advantage of others and expect others to do special.
- Constantly seeking attention and adulation.
- Extremely sensitive to criticism.
- Deeply fearful of failure.
CAUSES
The person with the disorder has a remarkable sense of self-importance, complete self-absorption and fantasies of limitless success, but, it is theorized, these characteristics mask a very fragile self-esteem.
TREATMENTS
Cognitive therapy strives to replace their fantasies with a focus on the day-to-day pleasurable experiences that are truly attainable. Coping strategies such as relaxation training are used to help them face and accept criticism.
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REFERENCE
David H. Barlow, BOSTON UNIVERSITY
V. Mark Durand, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA- ST. PETERSBERG
2. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: 9TH EDITION
Davision G.C., Neale, J.M. and Kring, A.M.
3. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Allov. L.B.: Riskind, J.H. and Manos, M.J.
4. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN LIFE. NY: Harper and Collins. 2000
Carson. R.C. and Butcher. N.J.