Definition of the week: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are patterns of behavior that last over time and are inflexible, thus affecting the social functioning of the individual. In Narcissistic Personality Disorder, the subject exaggerates his importance with the help of fantasies of success. It is very difficult for these people to accept criticism and they usually show anger or shame when faced with it (Myers, 2006).

According to the DSM V (2013), the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder are the following:

A persistent pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy that begins in early adulthood and occurs in a variety of contexts, as indicated by 5 or more of the following:

  1. Presents a grandiose sense of self-importance (for example, exaggerates his achievements and talents, expects recognition as a superior without having sufficient achievements).
  2. He is absorbed in fantasies of exaggerated success, power, splendor, beauty or ideal love.
  3. Believes that he or she is special and unique and can only be associated with or understood by other special or high-status people or institutions.
  4. It requires excessive admiration.
  5. Has a sense of entitlement (e.g., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment).
  6. He is exploitative (takes advantage of others for his own purposes).
  7. He lacks empathy: he is reluctant to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
  8. You often envy others or believe that others envy you.
  9. Shows arrogant and haughty attitudes or behaviors.

The prevalence of this disorder is estimated between 0 and 6.2%. Regarding the development and course of the disorder, narcissistic traits can be shown in adolescence without this meaning that a Narcissistic Personality Disorder will develop in adulthood; With respect to old age, it can be very difficult for these subjects to accept the physical and occupational limitations and complications that this period of life brings.

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Of the people diagnosed with this disorder, between 50 and 75% are men. When performing the differential diagnosis, the following must be taken into account:

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  1. Other personality disorders and traits (when distinguishing it from histrionic, antisocial or borderline personality disorders, the most characteristic trait would be grandiosity).
  2. Manic or hypomanic episodes (specifically, grandiose fantasies, but can be distinguished by association with mood changes)
  3. Substance use.

Sources:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.
Myers, D. (2006), Psychology 7th edition. Panamericana Medical Editorial:Madrid