Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. It is caused by factors such as overindulgent parenting and low self-esteem. Symptoms include believing oneself to be special, requiring excessive admiration, taking advantage of others, and having trouble maintaining relationships. Treatment may involve psychotherapy or hospitalization for severe cases.

1. Narcissistic Personality Disorder Hannah Kim Jocham 4 th period May 26, 2011

2. What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder? (NPD) Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, extreme self-involvement, and lack of empathy for others. Individuals with this disorder are usually arrogantly self-assured and confident. The word "narcissism", meaning self-love or admiration for ones self, is derived from the story of Narcissus in Greek Mythology. Narcissus was a handsome young man who loved no one but his own reflection.

3. What causes narcissism? Narcissism is egocentric behavior that occurs as a result of low self-esteem, or feeling vulnerable in certain situations, caused by a gap between the ideal self (standards set by others, for example, parents) and the real self. Threatening situations lead to anxiety which lead to the use of defense mechanisms to defend one’s individual ego.

4. Parent’s influences Permissive parents who give too much praise to the child, that results in an unrealistic view of themselves. Overindulgence and spoiling by parents. Not giving appropriate discipline/punishment. Idealization of the child.

5. Symptoms Believing that you're better than others Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness Exaggerating your achievements or talents Expecting constant praise and admiration Believing that you're special and acting accordingly Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans

6. More symptoms Taking advantage of others Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior Being jealous of others Believing that others are jealous of you Trouble keeping healthy relationships Setting unrealistic goals Being easily hurt and rejected Having a fragile self-esteem Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional

7. Medical Treatment Hospitalization is a way to treat people with severe NPD. Patients who need medical attention are usually who are impulsive, self-destructive or that have poor reality perceptions. An inpatient program can become available that includes, individual psychotherapy, family involvement, constructive work assignments, recreational activities, and a special living enviroment in the wards.

8. How does one get diagnosed with this disorder? (DSM-IV-TR 301.81)The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition, DSM IV-TR, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines narcissistic personality disorder (in Axis II Cluster B). Has a large sense of self-importance where they exaggerate achievements. talents and expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements. Is obsessed with fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people that have class. Requires excessive attention. Takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own way. Lacks empathy; is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others. Is often jealous of others or believes others are jealous of him or her. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

9. The story of Narcissus In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a hunter from the territory of Thespiae in Boeotia who was known for his beauty. He was exceptionally proud, in that he looked down upon those who loved him. Nemesis saw this and attracted Narcissus to a pool where he saw his own reflection in the waters and fell in love with it, not realizing it was merely an image. Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus died.

10. Narcissist in Disney Movies Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The Queen is beautiful, but narcissistic and cruel. She marries a widowed king, who has a daughter called Snow White with his first wife. The Queen envies Snow White's beauty, and so tries to have her killed She has a magic mirror who she speaks to everyday and she asks it, “Mirror Mirror on the wall whose the fairest of them all?” and the mirror always replied that she was.

11. Daily Routine Every Morning I have to wake up exactly at 5:30 so have the right time to get ready. I spend about 30 minutes taking a shower and blow drying my hair. Then, I must spend about another 30 minutes on my makeup. Next, I spend 15 minutes either curling or straightening my hair. Finally I spend about the rest of the time picking out my outfit, I have to always match with everything like my earrings, shoes, or hairband. Everything must be color coordinated and complementary of one another.

12. Breakfast Everything must be nutritious and balanced. I usually have one fruit, oatmeal or whole grain cereal with 2% milk. Or I have an egg white omelet with avocados and ham. Or If I feel a bit heavy I’ll just blend together fruits and drink that. Im not going to eat anything I can’t grow or shoot down myself, like chips, candy, or artificial foods.

13. Social Life I always have to make new friends because honestly I enjoy meeting new people and hanging out with the same people bore me. I sometimes exaggerate about my life when I meet new people because I want to sound more fun than I really do. I like to appear as someone they would want to hangout with. It’s hard to understand some people I meet because I honestly can’t tell how they feel.

14. Working Life Over the past couple of years, Iv had about 4 different jobs. It’s hard for me to keep a job because I don’t like being talked to rudely or being treated down upon. Iv worked at about 2 different restaurants and the some customers are just so rude I could not be talked to in that way, iv worked at Hollister, and a shoe store. Working with clothes is also very hard because folding clothes over and over again just annoyed me and working for shoes was such a pain because customers are so indecisive and getting the shoes in the back was such a hassle.

15. Boyfriend? Iv had about 5 different relationships… none of them lasted more than 3 months. But it’s not me, all the guys I date are such jerks. They honestly don’t even know how lucky they are to be with a girl like me. I gave so much to them and what did I get back in return?! Nothing. No one can meet to me standards so I’ve just been flying solo.

16. Childhood When I was younger I was daddy’s little girl. We did everything together and would always have every Sunday be our day to go to the park. He would always push me on the swings and we would sing songs together in the car on the way to the ice cream parlor. But then their came a time where daddy packed up his things and just left… and I never saw him after that ever again. My mom is so busy with work trying to take care of my and my little brother she never gives me attention anymore. She always neglects me and doesn’t even make us dinner. It’s always takeout or frozen foods we have to microwave.. I miss those Sundays..with Dad.

17. School Mostly all of my teacher love me at school. I’m their number one pupil. I get really competitive with the other kids in my class and I always want to seem like Im number 1 and the best. I always need to make the highest grade on test and quizzes. That’s the only possible way they’ll notice me and make me their favorite.

18. Sports I am on my school’s lacrosse team and I made MVP in sophomore year. Everyone relies upon me to take the ball to the goal. I know I am the best player there is and there’s no doubt about it. Sometimes though I do feel a bit pressured to do better than the previous game I played before but I’ve never failed my coach. He knows I can take them to Nationals this year.

19. Singing I am on my school’s chorus and my voice sounds just like Alicia Keys but better. I can hit all the notes just right. I try to standout by always wearing a bright pink headband in my hair. I always get picked to have a solo so I pick the most prominent ones that will get Mr. Rogers attention.

20. Ballet I also dance at a ballet school. My teacher tells me I have the best form and posture. I try to push myself really hard to everyone will notice that I am the best and only best. I always need to get the star leading role or else I wont be in the play at all. I cry until they make me the star and threaten that I will leave, the dance academy would be nothing without me anyways because all of the teacher know I am the best.