Dear Arliss: please get help.
"I am a celebrity here at LPSG..... and at the other site.....
reactions are signs your power exists...which the ATTENTION measures.
ATTENTION IS POWER."
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Definition
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An individual with
narcissistic personality disorder exhibits extreme self-importance, inability to empathize with others and heightened sensitivity to criticism. Self-involvement and lack of empathy characterize this personality disorder.
People with narcissistic personality disorder are frequently perfectionists and
need to be the center of attention, receiving affection and admiration, and controlling the situation.
To get the attention he craves, he may try to create crises that return the focus to him. Like patients with antisocial personality disorder, this person places entitlement issues at the fore. He feels that the world owes him, regardless of whether he makes a contribution.
Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can induce states that mimic a personality disorder, but if an AOD-using person with a personality disorder abstains, only the symptoms of the personality disorder will still be evident. AOD use may trigger or aggravate a personality disorder. The course and severity of personality disorders can also be made worse if other psychiatric problems, such as mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders are present.
A patient with a personality disorder frequently uses AODs to relieve her symptoms: to raise self-esteem, decrease feelings of guilt and amplify feelings of diminished individuality.
Narcissistic personality disorder often leads to use of drugs, particularly stimulants. As a disinhibitor, alcohol may help lower anxiety and alleviate depression. A shy person with narcissistic personality disorder may depend on marijuana to relieve her social anxiety, while others use steroids to boost confidence in physical perfection. Without AODs, a person with narcissistic personality disorder may believe that others are overly critical or do not adequately appreciate her good qualities. In a crisis, she may become severely depressed.
Symptoms
- Overreacts to criticism, becoming angry or humiliated
- Uses others to reach goals
- Exaggerates own importance
- Entertains unrealistic fantasies about achievements, power, beauty, intelligence or romance
- Has unreasonable expectation of favorable treatment
- Needs constant attention and positive reinforcement from others
- Is easily jealous
Causes
The exact cause is not known. Although onset of the disorder is usually early adulthood
, it is likely to be in response to childhood experiences. A psychological evaluation may be performed.
Treatment
Psychotherapy may be useful in getting the individual with narcissistic personality disorder to relate to others in a less maladaptive manner. The following guidelines may help therapists working with these patients, especially those who are also AOD-dependant.