Do people often describe you as "selfish" or "careless," even though you'd like to be liked by everyone? If so, you might have Narcissistic Personality Disorder. You can rest assured, though—you're not alone! Many people suffer from this condition, but there are ways to manage it.
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
A narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are conditions in which people have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways, limiting their ability to function in relationships and other areas of their life, such as work or school.
NPD is a Cluster B personality disorder, which means it’s part of a group of disorders characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic thinking or behavior. Other Cluster B disorders include Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD), and Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD).
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder are often obsessed with power, beauty, and fame. They may be very successful on the surface, but underneath, they have low self-esteem and are often depressed.
The negative effects of narcissism can range from mild to severe:
The symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder are wide-ranging and often difficult to identify. The following list includes some of the symptoms associated with narcissism. Keep in mind that someone can have many of these without having Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Also, remember that some people may describe themselves as narcissistic and may not have any mental health problems.
It's estimated that between 1% and 6% of the U.S. population suffers from NPD. And while it's often seen as something that impacts only celebrities and other public figures, it's prevalent in everyday life.
Here are some of the most common causes of NPD:
It's a disorder that can affect people of any age, gender, or background, but it usually appears during adolescence. The causes of the disorder are still unknown, but it's thought to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
There are also some theories about how the brain works in people with NPD. For example, some researchers believe that people with NPD have an overactive reward system in their brains, which means they're more sensitive to getting rewards (like praise from other people).
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