Narcissistic Personality Disorder is characterized by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. It is caused by incorrect child rearing such as indulgence that creates entitlement or a distant father figure. There are four types of narcissists including needy, deceptive, exhibitionistic, and critical. Treatment is difficult as narcissists do not believe anything is wrong with their behavior and do not change, so the best approach is for others to shield themselves emotionally from the narcissist.

1. Narcissistic Personality Disorder Presentation by Kayla Engeman

2. Definition The DSM-IV defines NPD as: A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

3. Typical Symptoms (Internal) Unable to be pleased (see photo) Shallow Emotions Sense of entitlement Envious/mistrustful Easily offended Needs to be the center of attention Perceives everything in terms of themselves

4. Typical Symptoms (External) Fishes for flattery Engages in “one-upping” Indifferent towards other’s needs Lack of empathy Tells others what to do or how to feel Makes sarcastic and devaluing remarks to others Many failed relationships

5. Four Types of Narcissists The Needy Narcissist The Deceptive Narcissist The Exhibitionistic Narcissist The Critical Narcissist Note: The traits of each type of Narcissist are innate and were not gained through learning or experience.

6. Needy Narcissist Some characteristics include: Expects you to read his or her mind (to know their demands without having to say them) (see photo) Never feels completely satisfied and Becomes dependent on the approval of others Feels deprived

7. Deceptive Narcissist Some characteristics include: Lie easily and constantly Never satisfied Believes everyone is deserving for deception Finds joy and exhilaration in deceiving others Outgoing and charming (there is a hidden contempt and deceit and they will find any means to accomplish a goal) Alliances are formed with people who they can manipulate to get to a higher level They are charming to find out deepest wishes, goals and secrets of others to later use against that person.

8. Exhibitionistic Narcissist Some characteristics include: Have a constant need to show off (the One-Uppers) Example Define themselves by material possessions Disregards rules and feel no one should have the audacity to confront them about it Demand material possessions to fulfill a void that can never be satisfied (the possesions provide opportunity for others to be envious) Feels “the rules” apply to everyone but them. Find happiness in the envious reactions of others.

9. Critical Narcissist Some characteristics include: Jealous/envious Unable to be satisfied Constantly blame and suspect others Very hesistant to trust others Highly sensitive to criticism Wants to know every detail of your thoughts, feelings and ideas. Assumes everyone has an evil motive (thinks everyone is out to get them)

10. Causes Like any personality disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder is caused by incorrect child rearing. There are three cause scenarios of which most cases of NPD originated from.

11. Cause Scenario 1 A parent with concealed “aggression and indifference” will cause a child to react with the same aggression, contempt, envy, and devaluation. This teaches the child that hostile reactions will help defend and protect them throughout life which leads to the development of NPD.

12. Cause Scenario 2 A child innately grows up “being special and overindulgent”. He or she grows up knowing he or she is “special” and obtains a value for self-sufficiency. Then, he expects to be adored unconditionally, as he has learned to love himself that way.

13. Cause Scenario 3 A doting parent will give the child the impression he or she is superior,. Also he or she will reward an undeserving child creating a sense of entitlement. The doting parent is usually the mother because this third category includes a workaholic father who dwells in his successful lifestyle. He is often judging, distant, and rejecting, causing the child to learn these not-so-empathetic ways of handling situations.

14. Prevalence The number of clinically diagnosed NPD patients is low for two reasons: People with NPD don’t see anything wrong with their behavior, and therefore will not seek therapy. Narcissists are indifferent to other’s feelings and would not care if their family members or friends begged them to change their ways.

15. Prevalence Cont’d If all Narcissists don’t seek therapy how is NPD a proven disorder? The Band Aid Effect -Narcissists will seek therapy for a problem that is caused by NPD such as depression or suicide, but once the surface problem is resolved, they leave therapy before the underlying problem (NPD) is dealt with.

16. Treatment Due to the Band Aid Effect and the nature of NPD, there is no effective treatment. Someone with NPD will never change their behavior. As someone in the life of a Narcissist, you must learn to cope by giving up on the idea that they will change, and building an emotional shield against them.

17. Overall… People in the life of a Narcissist must learn to shield themselves from the devaluing remarks, showy behaviors, and egocentric demands, because that is the only resolution to the entirety of the disorder.