Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and a lack of empathy." Narcissistic individuals outwardly behave as though they are superior to others. Deeper investigation, however, usually reveals a fragile self-esteem that is easily hurt by criticism.
Grandiosity
An article by Cain, Pincus and Ansell in the April 2008 issue of "Clinical Psychology Review" states the major criteria for assessing narcissistic personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders focus on expressions of grandiosity. Narcissists live in a deluded state self-invented from fantasies of absolute or perfect power, genius and beauty. Freud observed that these people act like they're in love with themselves.
Impatience
Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder generally have a lack of empathy. They almost invariably have difficulty recognizing the subjective experiences, desires and feelings of others. They tend to discuss their own concerns in disproportionate detail, while ignoring the fact that others also have feelings and needs. They usually believe that others are wholly concerned about their welfare. In a 2004 article by Moore and Jefferson in the "Handbook of Medical Psychiatry," narcissists were noted to react with impatience and coldness with others who talk about their own problems and concerns. . When recognized, the needs, desires or feelings of others are likely to be viewed disparagingly as signs of weakness or vulnerability.
Need for Admiration
As noted in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, individuals with narcissistic personality disorder often seek excessive admiration. Their self-esteem is found to be fragile, almost without exception. They tend to be preoccupied with how well they are doing and how favorably they are regarded by others. This usually takes the form of a desire for constant attention and admiration. They constantly seek for compliments from others.
Sense of Entitlement
In April 2009, Sharon Jayson reported on USAToday.com that researchers have found in studies of young people that narcissistic characters and traits are more prevalent today when compared with the past. Jayson noted that in the book "The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement," San Diego State University pscyhologist Jean Twenge cited this increase in narcissism could be because of the exploding digital age of social networking websites, such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, and the television and media's portrayal of acceptable celebrity narcissistic behaviors and acts of entitlement.
References
- "Clinical Psychology Review"; Narcissism at the Crossroads: Phenotypic Description of Pathological Narcissism Across Clinical Theory, Social/Personality Psychology, and Psychiatric Diagnosis; Cain, Pincus and Ansell; April 2008
- "Handbook of Medical Psychiatry"; Narcissistic Personality Disorder; D.P. Moore, J.W. Jefferson; 2004
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed."; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
