Introduction

In this article, we will define the term narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder, how to detect a narcissist or narcissistic traits, who is a narcissist, types of narcissism, causes and prevention of narcissism, and when to see a doctor as a narcissist.   

Narcissism

Narcissism is the excessive preoccupation with oneself, one’s own worth, and one’s own needs alone without considering others. Thus, it is typically associated with behaviours of self-elevation over others, entitlement, delusional grandiosity and egotistic tendencies. Thus, have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and demand for excessive and constant admiration. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that causes people to have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They demand and seek too much attention from others and mostly want people to admire them. 

How to Detect a Narcissist/Narcissistic Traits

Narcissists normally exhibit the following symptoms though varies depending on the severity. It includes having an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and demand for excessive and constant admiration, often suspicious and paranoid, lacks empathy, has no social or personal conscience, is a vindictive bully who mercilessly abuses the power of his position in the office, is a pathological liar who is skilful at being deceptive and very convincing, avoids accountability by diverting topics, dodges questions, makes up new lies, bluffs or threats when questioned, not trustworthy, is a control/manipulative freak, twists words and actions, is often hypersexual, violent, intimidating, poor self-control, addicted to alcohol/drugs, is sadistic, and is always fantasizing and preoccupied about power, success, beauty, brilliance, the perfect mate or intelligence and always insisting on having the best of everything.

Types of Narcissism

Healthy Narcissism

Each person has a bit of healthy narcissism within them.  Healthy narcissism exists because not all that have narcissistic traits meet the criteria for the disorder. Healthy narcissism is the ability to feel a sense of entitlement and knowing that you belong in certain spaces and deserve good things which is in consonance with the reality. 

Grandiose Narcissism 

Grandiosity is the unrealistic sense of superiority, inflated sense of self-esteem, uniqueness by oneself which involves overestimating one’s capabilities and asserting one’s dominance over others. This is the closest to the broader understanding of what makes a narcissist. 

Vulnerable Narcissism/Covert Narcissism

Covert narcissists tend to be shy and self-effacing. They often appear miserable and believe their suffering is worse than anyone else’s. They are chronically envious, always crave people’s recognition, seem distressed, hypersensitive to others’ evaluations and get very defensive whenever they face criticism. 

Malignant Narcissism 

Malignant narcissists are the most severe subtype of narcissistic personality disorder. They have traits of antisocial personality disorder, and are hostile, sadistic, malicious, aggressive and manipulative. They lack empathy and get pleasure seeing others in pain and discomfort. 

Sexual Narcissism 

Sexual narcissism is an egotistic pattern of sexual behaviour that involves an inflated sense of sexual ability and sexual entitlement. Sexual narcissists have an over estimated positive but egotistical admiration of their own sexual prowess. 

Somatic Narcissism

Somatic narcissists get their self-worth from their physical appearance. They believe that they are stronger, beautiful, or fitter than others. They are often obsessed over their physical appearance and criticize others based on their looks. 

Cerebral Narcissist 

Cerebral/intellectual narcissists get their self-worth from their minds. They get satisfaction by feeling cleverer, smarter and more intelligent than others, thus make others feel unintelligent to feed their ego.

Spiritual Narcissist 

Spiritual narcissists use spirituality to justify bad behaviours. They always project an idealized version of themselves and use spiritual jargon to intimidate others and hide their insecure and broken self.  

Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Till now, there are no proofs of what causes NPD. The cause is likely complex and can be linked to genetics (characteristics inherited from parents, such as certain personality traits), the environment (this has a lot to determine ones NPD. For instance, parent-child relationships with either too much adoration or criticism that don’t match the child’s actual experiences and achievements), and neurobiology (the connection between the brain, behaviour and thinking).

Prevention

NPD has no established ways to prevent the condition. Psychologists have thought of these tips that may help: treat childhood mental health problems as soon as possible, do psychotherapy for NPD as soon as it is detected, always avail yourself during family therapeutic events to learn healthy ways to communicate or how to deal with emotional distress or conflict, and seek the service of a therapist or social worker on guidance parenting classes. 

Conclusion 

Know when to see a doctor. Narcissism traits exist in humans by spectrum; as such, some are more worrying than others. Meanwhile, if you suspect any signs of narcissism, or dealing with a narcissist, seeking the right treatment will help you grow happily and healthy.