Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatment

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorder is complex and nuanced, making it difficult to diagnose. It is defined as a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance and a strong need for attention and approval. They may also struggle to understand or care about the feelings of others.

Signs and Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Signs and symptoms and their severity vary from person to person. However, those with narcissistic personality disorder often have the following risk factors:

Grandiose Sense of Self-Importance

This refers to an inflated sense of specialness and self-importance, often leading to arrogant or self-centered behavior that requires constant and excessive admiration.

Frequent Fantasies About Having or Deserving       

This refers to a preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

Belief in Superiority

Narcissists believe they are naturally better than others, driving their need for constant recognition, validation, and admiration.

Need for Excessive Admiration

Having narcissistic personality disorder means having a larger-than-average need to impress others or feel important.

Sense of Entitlement

Entitlement is a key trait that drives narcissistic behaviors. This is an unreasonable belief of deservingness, often at the expense of others.

Exploitative Behavior

Narcissists are known to exploit, manipulate, or take advantage of others for personal gain, often without remorse or consideration for the well-being of those affected.

Lack of Empathy

A lack of empathy or compassion is often a primary distinguishing feature of narcissistic personality disorder. This is due to an inability to regulate emotions, making it difficult to understand and share the feelings of others.

Frequent Envy

Envy is another common trait of NPD. It includes being envious of others and believing others are envious of you.

Arrogance and Haughty Attitudes

The inflated sense of self and need for constant admiration often manifests outwardly as arrogant and haughty behavior. This may include condescending or dismissive treatment towards others.

What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

There is no singular known cause of NPD. However, researchers believe a combination of factors causes it.

Genetic Influences

A twin study based on structured clinical interviews in a clinical sample from the National Institutes of Health suggests that 77% of NPD cases were genetically linked.

Negative Childhood Experiences

Trauma, rejection, abuse, neglect, and a lack of parental support during childhood can contribute to narcissistic personality disorder later in life.

Psychological Factors

If you experienced sexual, emotional, or physical abuse or neglect as a child, you have a higher risk of NPD. This may also include inconsistent caregiving, early separation from parents, or loss of a parent or caregiver.

Neurological Contributions

People with NPD often have a less developed prefrontal cortex (which helps with decision-making and self-control) and anterior insula (which plays a role in empathy).

Dopamine imbalances are also common. This imbalance drives a desire for praise and rewards, explaining the constant need for admiration and hypersensitivity to criticism.

Diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), lists nine criteria for NPD. You must have at least five of them to receive a formal diagnosis:

1. Exaggerated self-importance. Believes that others envy them.
2. Obsessed with having success and power.
3. Believes they are special and only other special people can understand them.
4. Needs constant admiration.
5. Feels entitled and expects special treatment.
6. Takes advantage of others to get what they want.
7. Lacks empathy.
8. Envious of others and sees others as competitors or threats.
9. Acts superior to others.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Tests and Assessments

Narcissistic personality disorder tests are not definitive. They are subject to interpretation by a trained mental health professional. These tests include:

• Personality diagnostic questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4)
  This is a 99-item assessment used by mental health professionals to screen for personality disorders.
• Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (MCMI-III)
  This is a clinical test designed to objectively measure personality disorders and major psychiatric syndromes.
• International personality disorder examination (IPDE)
  This semi-structured clinical interview helps mental health professionals diagnose major categories of personality disorders in a standardized and reliable way.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatment Options

Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

At Beach House Center for Recovery, our narcissistic personality disorder specialists employ custom therapy for narcissistic personality disorder to help you manage your symptoms and improve self-awareness, emotional regulation, and relationship skills. They include:

• Specialized treatment modalities
  Tailored treatments and holistic approaches to promote healing and emotional resilience.
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Individual and group therapy sessions
  Individual and group sessions with a licensed therapist to explore personal challenges, define goals, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself.
• Family therapy sessions
  Guided family therapy sessions with a licensed therapist to bolster support for loved ones.

Medication for NPD

There is no specific medication for narcissistic personality disorder. However, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and mood stabilizer medications may help manage symptoms.

Lifestyle Modifications and Coping Strategies

• Practice mindfulness and self-reflection everyday (e.g., journaling, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises).
• Practice empathy and active listening (e.g., talk less and listen more).
• Practice pausing before responding.
• Manage stress and impulsive tendencies by engaging in a hobby or relaxation techniques.
• Learn to accept constructive criticism and take it as a learning opportunity, not a personal attack.
• Build genuine self-worth by engaging in activities that give you a sense of purpose.

Begin Your Narcissistic Personality Disorder Recovery at Beach House Center for Recovery

We provide compassionate, mental health and narcissistic personality disorder treatment to ensure you get the exact care you need.

Our skilled team is ready to help you manage your personality disorder symptoms and support any co-occurring conditions. Contact our caring admissions counselors for more information and to start your recovery journey.