 narcissistic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a
personality disorder where the narcissist is described as being excessively
preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, prestige and vanity.
Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to
self-centeredness. The term narcissism is taken from the Greek
mythological character, Narcissus, who was obsessed with gazing at his own
reflection.
The cause of this disorder is unknown, according to Groopman and Cooper.
However, they list the following factors identified by various researchers as
possibilities.
- An oversensitive temperament at birth is the main symptomatic chronic form
- Being praised for perceived exceptional looks or talents by adults
- Excessive admiration that is never balanced with realistic feedback
- Excessive praise for good behaviors or excessive criticism for poor
behaviors in childhood
- Overindulgence and overvaluation by parents
- Severe emotional abuse in childhood
- Unpredictable or unreliable caregiving from parents
- Valued by parents as a means to regulate their own self-esteem
Some narcissistic traits are common and a normal developmental phase. When
these traits are compounded by a failure of the interpersonal environment and
continue into adulthood, they may intensify to the point where NPD is diagnosed.
Some psychotherapists believe that the etiology of the disorder is, in
terms, the result of to early childhood development.
If a child does not receive sufficient recognition for their talents during
about ages 3�7 they will never mature and continue to be in the narcissistic
early development stage. It has been suggested
that NPD may be exacerbated by the onset of aging and the physical, mental, and
occupational restrictions it imposes, as can most personality traits.
It has been suggested that narcissistic personality disorder may be related to
defenses against shame.
Psychiatrist Glen Gabbard suggested NPD could be broken down into two
subtypes. He saw the "oblivious" subtype as being grandiose, arrogant, and
thick-skinned and the "hypervigilant" subtype as being easily hurt,
oversensitive, and ashamed. In his view, the oblivious subtype presents for admiration,
envy, and appreciation a powerful, grandiose self that is the antithesis of a weak
internalized self, which hides in shame, while the
hypervigilant subtype neutralizes devaluation by seeing others as unjust
abusers.
Dr. Jeffrey Young, who coined the term "Schema Therapy", a technique
originally developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck (1979), also links NPD and shame.
He sees the so-called Defectiveness Schema as a core schema of NPD, along with the Emotional
Deprivation and Entitlement Schemas.
|
