Some of the characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder are grandiosity, lacking empathy for others and the need to be admired. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), these patterns typically first begin in early adulthood. A person with a narcissistic personality seeks to be the center of attention, demands preferential treatment and is oblivious to the needs and desires of others. Because there is no cure, the best course of treatment for this disorder is counseling.
Individual Counseling
One-on-one counseling with a trained therapist can be beneficial for a narcissistic personality. Many people suffering from this disorder have dysfunctional relationships with family, friends and co-workers. They may become alienated due to the unreasonable demands they place on others and their self-centered behaviors. Often, issues other than narcissism bring these people to seek counseling, such as substance abuse, depression or low self-esteem. Through individual counseling, clients can gain insight into how they are perceived by others and learn to take steps toward developing better relationships.
Family Counseling
The essential features of narcissistic personality disorder often cause disharmony in familial relationships. The Mayo Clinic identifies these traits as failing to recognize the emotions and feelings of others, expecting others to go along with your plans, having your feelings easily hurt and believing you are better than others around you. These traits contribute to a narcissist's extreme difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships with parents, siblings and mates. Family counseling works to explore communication difficulties and air out grievances in a safe environment.
Group Counseling
Meeting with others in a group setting is another approach to treat narcissistic personality disorder. In the book "Theory and Practice of Group Counseling," Gerald Corey points out that, while group counseling is beneficial in many ways for narcissists, the challenge is to increase their ability to focus on others and increase their empathetic skills. In social settings, the narcissistic personality tends to focus on himself and becomes impatient when attention is diverted away from him. He is unable to engage in normal conversational interactions, unless he is the center of the discussion. Through group therapy, these maladaptive behaviors are pointed out by others in the group, helping the client gain insight and develop new behaviors.
Medication
Narcissistic individuals often suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their perception that their needs are not being met, they are being criticized by others or they lack achievements. These individuals often hide these feelings and, instead, socially withdraw and may become depressed. While there are no medications used to specifically treat narcissistic personality disorder, drugs used to treat depression or anxiety may be beneficial to improve mood and overall functioning.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"; 4th Edition; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- Mayo Clinic: Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Treatment and Drugs
- "Theory and Practice of Group Counseling"; Gerald Corey; 2008
