Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a complex, oft-misunderstood mental health condition. Common questions about this concern include how can you tell if someone has NPD, how many people does it affect? And can narcissistic personality disorder be treated?
What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is one of 10 personality disorders in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
In general, personality disorders are characterized by persistent, inflexible behaviors that deviate substantially from the norms and expectations of a person’s culture.
NPD is further classified as a Cluster B personality disorder, along with antisocial, borderline, and histrionic personality disorders. The DSM-5 describes people with Cluster B disorders as appearing to be “dramatic, emotional, or erratic.”
Signs & Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Someone who has narcissistic personality disorder will exhibit an inflated self-esteem, to the point of grandiosity. Common signs and symptoms of this condition include:
- Needing to be the center of attention
- Exaggerating their talents and accomplishments
- Expecting to be recognized as a superior individual
- Fantasizing about boundless power and success
- Believing that they are a truly special person
- Preferring to associate only with other supposedly “high status” people
- Dealing with most people in a dismissive or demeaning manner
- Requiring continuous praise and admiration
- Having a deep sense of entitlement
- Demanding deference and immediate compliance from others
- Bullying or exploiting other people for personal gain
- Lacking compassion or empathy
Ironically, even though people with this condition will often project an air of supreme self-confidence, they will also frequently display deep envy toward others.
Statistics
Various sources estimate that narcissistic personality disorder may affect between 0.5% and 5% of the population. In the United States, 5% of the adult population works out to about 12.9 million people ages 18 and older.
Data also indicates that as many as 75% of NPD diagnoses involve men, though studies suggest that gender bias may be responsible for skewing this statistic.
For example, one report noted that women who exhibit “vulnerable narcissism” may often be misdiagnosed as having borderline personality disorder instead of NPD, while men may be overdiagnosed with NPD due to their “overt grandiose presentation” of symptoms.
Can Narcissistic Personality Disorder Be Treated?
Reviewing the symptoms of NPD, it is easy to see how this condition can have a disruptive impact on a person’s life, as well as on the lives of those who care about or depend on them. Which leads us to the question at the top of today’s post: Can narcissistic personality disorder be treated?
Yes, NPD is a treatable condition. It is a chronic mental health disorder, which means it is not curable – but with proper care, someone who has narcissistic personality disorder can learn to manage their symptoms and adapt their behaviors.
One significant obstacle to treatment is that people who have this condition may be unwilling to acknowledge that they have a problem, and thus resist efforts to seek professional care.
Also, the symptoms of this condition can threaten to undermine the therapeutic alliance or the sense of mutual agreement between patient and therapist that can be essential for success in a treatment environment.
This is not meant to imply that the situation is hopeless. With proper treatment, a concerted effort, and effective support, people who have NPD can make sustained progress toward a healthier future.
Medications for NPD
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications to treat narcissistic personality disorder.
However, various prescription meds can ease some NPD symptoms. Medication can also ease the impact of co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Depending on a patient’s specific needs, they may be helped by mental health medications including:
- Antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Mood stabilizers such as aripiprazole (Abilify) and lurasidone (Latuda)
- Antipsychotics such as lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Therapies for NPD
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is an essential component of treatment for narcissistic personality disorder. As with medication, different patients may be best served by different types of therapy. Examples of therapies that have proved to be beneficial to people who have NPD include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This goal-oriented modality is based in part on the view that psychological distress is rooted in unhealthy core beliefs, negative thoughts, and dysfunctional assumptions.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This approach helps people develop or improve their skills in the areas of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT): During SFBT sessions, therapists help patients to identify specific goals, then determine which skills or behavioral changes will empower them to achieve those objectives.
Find Treatment for NPD in Tennessee
Arbor Wellness is a premier provider of comprehensive, personalized care for adults who have been living with narcissistic personality disorder and other complex mental health concerns.
Programming options at our NPD treatment center in Nashville, Tennessee, include residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). We also offer detoxification and dual diagnosis services to patients whose struggles with narcissistic personality disorder are accompanied by compulsive substance abuse.
We understand the unique challenges that NPD can pose, and we are committed to working closely with each patient to identify their unique needs and set appropriate short- and long-term goals. Then, working together, we can develop an individualized plan to help them experience improved health and a better quality of life.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
