The way you feel, think and act is unique – it’s what shapes your personality and makes you who you are.
The way you feel, think and act is unique – it’s what shapes your personality and makes you who you are.
But if your way of thinking, feeling and behaving makes it difficult for you to relate to other people and causes a lot of problems in your day-to-day life, and you have these issues for a long time, you might have a
.There are 10 types of personality disorder used by mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists and psychologists, to diagnose mental health conditions. One of these is narcissistic personality disorder.
This is a mental health condition – it’s very different from someone who sometimes acts in a way we might think of as ‘narcissistic’. So read on to learn what narcissistic personality disorder is and what might cause it, and how it can be treated and managed.
We can all be a little self-centred or selfish from time to time. It’s normal to want other people to recognise our abilities and to be proud of our achievements. And it’s OK to feel a little sensitive to criticism, too.
However, if these thoughts, feelings and actions are extreme and cause problems in your life, you may get a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder.
You might think you’re more important and special than other people, you may get very angry or upset if you’re not constantly being admired and praised, and you might be unable to imagine what someone else is feeling or experiencing (you lack ‘empathy’).
When it comes to what causes narcissistic personality disorder, it’s not fully understood why some people have these extreme thoughts, feelings and behaviours and others don’t. But it’s thought that a mixture of things can increase your risk of developing a personality disorder, including:
A combination of signs and symptoms may lead to a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. These include if you:
As with some other mental health conditions, people who may have narcissistic personality disorder won’t always realise that they might benefit from help, or they may find it difficult to get support.
But there are things that can help with any personality disorder, including narcissistic personality disorder. Treatment options include:
It can be challenging if a loved one is diagnosed with a personality disorder, and you may find it hard to always get on with them, or know what to do or say.
But there are things you do to help, including:
Remember, if you’re supporting someone with a mental health condition, it’s important to make time to take care of your own health, too.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.