The term 'narcissist' is having a moment right now- but is the word being overused? It's important to know exactly who and what you are dealing with. An accurate, clear understanding of personality disorders is essential to living with this condition.
Dr. Phil discusses narcissistic personality disorder and how to deal with individuals who exhibit this behavior. Narcissists have a pattern of grandiosity, lack empathy, and see themselves as superior. They can be difficult to confront since they manipulate and gaslight others. Dealing with narcissists involves setting boundaries and recognizing their behavior. Dr. Phil emphasizes the importance of protecting oneself, having a support system, and being aware of narcissistic behavior to prevent exploitation.
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Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time.
10 specific types of personality disorders.
Long-term patterns of behavior and inner experiences that differ significantly from what is expected
Begins by late adolescence or early adulthood
Causes distress or problems in functioning
Without treatment, personality disorders can be long-lasting. Personality disorders affect at least two of these areas:
Way of thinking about oneself and others
Way of responding emotionally
Way of relating to other people
Way of controlling one’s behavior
Source: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association. (2022)
Fictional Characters With Narcissistic Behaviors And Other Personality Disorders
Dexter Morgan DEXTER
Serial killer, inability to conform, manipulation, and impulsive aggression; coldness, detachment, and complete lack of interest in normal human interaction.
Walter White/ Heisenberg, Breaking Bad
Grandiosity, pathological lying, manipulation, a superficial charm, callous, unemotional, low neuroticism and lack of guilt or remorse. has a parasitic lifestyle, being prone to boredom, sensation seeking, impulsivity, irresponsibility, a failure to have long-term goals, poor behavioral controls, and criminal versatility.
David, Fatal Affair
David, diagnosed by his therapist as having "Narcissistic Personality Disorder." has abnormal mood swings and psychotic behavior. Annie in Stephen King’s Misery, a psychotic fan who rescues a best-selling novelist (played by James Caan) after a car accident but turns on him when she finds that he has killed her favorite character in his latest novel.
Source: http://urbantimes.co/2014/12/33-fantastic-films-whose-main-characters-have-mental-disorders/
Narcissistic Behavior
Handling personality disorders and narcissistic behavior
Types of Personality Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder-
(also known as Psychopathy and Sociopathy) A pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others.
Characteristics of Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Failure to conform to social norms
• Deceitfulness
• Manipulation
• Impulsivity
• Irritability and aggressiveness
• Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
• Irresponsibility
• Lack of remorse
Avoidant personality disorder:
A pattern of extreme shyness
Feelings of inadequacy
Extreme sensitivity to criticism
May be unwilling to get involved with people unless they are certain of being liked
Be preoccupied with being criticized or rejected
May view themselves as not being good enough or socially inept
Borderline personality disorder:
A pattern of instability in personal relationships
Intense emotions
Poor self-image and impulsivity
May go to great lengths to avoid being abandoned
Have repeated suicide attempts
Display inappropriate intense anger
Have ongoing feelings of emptiness
Dependent personality disorder:
A pattern of needing to be taken care of
Submissive and clingy behavior
May have difficulty making daily decisions without
Reassurance from others or may
Feel uncomfortable or helpless
Histrionic personality disorder:
A pattern of excessive emotion and attention seeking
Uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention
Use physical appearance to draw attention to themselves
Have rapidly shifting or exaggerated emotions
Source: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association. (2022)
Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
Grandiose sense of self-importance
Preoccupied with fantasies
Belief of being “special” and unique
Requires excessive admiration
Sense of entitlement
Interpersonally exploitative
Lacks empathy
Envious of others or believes others are envious
Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:
A pattern of preoccupation with orderliness perfection and control
overly focused on details or schedules
work excessively not allowing time for leisure or friends
Inflexible in their morality and values. (This is NOT the same as obsessive-compulsive disorder.)
Paranoid personality disorder:
A pattern of being suspicious of others
Seeing them as mean or spiteful
Often assume people will harm or deceive them
Don’t confide in others or become close to them
Schizoid personality disorder:
Being detached from social relationships
Expressing little emotion
Typically, does not seek close relationships
Chooses to be alone
Seems to not care about praise or criticism from others
Schizotypal personality disorder:
A pattern of being very uncomfortable in close relationships
Having distorted thinking and eccentric behavior
May have odd beliefs or odd or peculiar behavior
Speech or may have excessive social anxiety
Treatment
Certain types of psychotherapy are effective for treating personality disorders.
Will depend on the specific personality disorder, how severe it is, and the individual’s circumstances.
Commonly used types of psychotherapy include:
Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Group therapy
Psychoeducation (teaching the individual and family members about the illness, treatment and ways of coping)
No medications specifically to treat personality disorders
Medication, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication or mood stabilizing medication
Self-care and coping strategies:
Learn about the condition. Knowledge and understanding can help empower and motivate
Get active
Avoid drugs and alcohol
Get routine medical care
Join a support group
Write in a journal to express your emotions
Try relaxation and stress management techniques
Stay connected with family and friends
Source: Adapted from Mayo Clinic, Personality Disorders
Having a family member with a personality disorder can also be distressing and stressful.
Family members may benefit from talking with a mental health provider who can provide help coping with difficulties.
Source: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association. (2022).
Lenzenweger MF, Lane MC, Loranger AW, Kessler RC. 2007. DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553-564.
Need Help?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
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Connect by phone 800-950-6264 or text "Helpline"
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