What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

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People who deal with Narcissistic Personality Disorder harbor an exaggerated sense of superiority and a fragile ego that demands a lot of praise and attention from others. They believe that they are exceptional and that most other people are ‘beneath’ them. They want only the best for themselves, demanding special treatment and reverence wherever they go. Despite this exterior, they are actually very insecure and constantly fight to hide it. When others fail to reinforce this elevated opinion they have of themselves, they feel embarrassed and weak. In response, they lash out at those around them and double down on their claims of greatness.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder usually first appears when people are in their early or middle 20s. Doctors need to be careful not to diagnose someone when they are much younger than this. Narcissistic traits are a normal part of adolescence that subside when people enter adulthood. For the few people who retain these tendencies as a major part of their personality, life-long relationship problems plague those who do not get treatment. They have trouble maintaining friendships and intimate partnerships. Their refusal to admit fault and persistent sense of authority drive most people away. Many also abuse drugs or alcohol (often as a form of self-medication), which only adds to their problems. This disorder does not have to be a life-sentence, though. People can develop the skills they need to function better in relationships with enough therapy and practice.

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