Personality disorders are mental health conditions that affect how people view themselves and interact with the world. Those with personality disorders often act impulsively and struggle with understanding emotions and managing distress. The ten types of personality disorders are grouped into clusters based on shared traits. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), part of cluster B, is marked by intense emotional reactions and unpredictable, attention-seeking behavior. While cluster B personality disorders are highly treatable, many don’t seek help because they don’t recognize their behavior as problematic.
If you struggle with NPD, a treatment program at Recovery Ranch PA can help you manage your thoughts and behaviors while addressing related issues like drug or alcohol addiction. Contact our compassionate team online or call 717.969.9126 to learn more about our personality disorder treatment program in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania.
Recognizing the Signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissism is self-involvement to the extent that a person ignores or dismisses the needs of others. Narcissists have a highly inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for attention. Not everyone who demonstrates signs of narcissism has narcissistic personality disorder.
People with NPD are often charismatic and charming and don’t demonstrate their true personality immediately, especially in relationships. They seek to surround themselves with others who’ll feed their ego and engage in superficial relationships to bolster their grandiose self-image.
Signs of narcissistic personality disorder can include:
- Grandiosity, or an exaggerated sense of ego and self-importance
- Excessive need for attention and validation
- Preoccupation with fantasies of brilliance, beauty, power, and success
- A sense of entitlement
- Inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs or feelings of others
- Monopolizing conversations and belittling others they see as inferior
- Envy of others and the belief that others are envious of them
- Exaggeration of talents and accomplishments
- Believing they’re superior and can only associate with others they view as equally important
- Expecting special treatment and unquestioning compliance to these expectations
Narcissists are highly manipulative and take advantage of others to get what they want. They behave arrogantly and appear boastful, pretentious, shallow, and vain. Narcissists believe they deserve the best and will accept no less. They have little remorse for their actions and will deny wrongdoing, even when confronted with proof of such.
Understanding the Roots of NPD
There are two main types of narcissism. While they share common traits and behaviors, each is thought to be rooted in very different types of childhood experiences.
- Grandiose or overt narcissism results from parental overindulgence and excessive or unmerited praise during childhood. Because they were treated as superior in childhood, people with grandiose NPD expect to continue to be treated so as adults. They tend to brag and be overly confident, elitist, insensitive, and aggressive.
- Vulnerable or covert narcissism results from unreliable parenting or childhood neglect or abuse. These individuals are more sensitive, and their selfish behavior helps protect them from innate feelings of inadequacy. They may have a victim mentality and be manipulative to gain sympathy or admiration.
Much of our behavior is learned, which points to the significance of parental modeling in influencing our behavior. Genetics and neurobiology are also factors that contribute to NPD.
Personality disorders can’t be cured, but NPD responds well to behavioral therapy approaches to reduce maladaptive behaviors, improve relationships, and lead a better quality of life.
Connect with Recovery Ranch PA and Start Personality Disorder Treatment in Pennsylvania
While it’s easy for others to recognize traits of narcissism, those who have NPD are often unaware because they don’t view their feelings or behaviors as problematic. Individuals with NPD commonly have substance use disorders or addictions to sex, gambling, or even social media. Most often, it’s an addiction that brings them to treatment, and through this, they learn about NPD.
At Recovery Ranch PA, we understand the complex relationship between NPD and addiction. We provide comprehensive, integrated treatment designed to address co-occurring disorders. Contact us online or call 717.969.9126 to enroll in our personality disorder treatment program and begin your recovery today.
