Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is one of the ten personality disorders contained in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is typically characterized by a persistent, inflated feeling of self-importance, expressed through excessive desire for admiration or attention and lacking empathy for others. Nevertheless, in spite of ostentatious confidence, individuals possess highly fragile self-esteem sensitive to any minor criticism. The primary signs include the pursuit for constant self-admiration, exaggerating personal talents and achievements, obsession with own appearance, and arrogant or haughty behavior (Mayo Clinic). Besides, peoples with NPD are strongly inclined to dominate in conversation or relationships, neglect the senses of others, and run for success exceedingly, and feel prolonged frustration after failures. Overall, NPD’s symptoms are mostly interrelated and manifested across various situations, eventually leading to a poor relationship, conflicts, loneliness, acute depression, and other mental problems.
Currently, there is no universal, empirically or clinically approved treatment for NPD, and therapeutic interventions should be primarily collected based on patients’ features and needs. In particular, the best way to alleviate the symptoms and help persons is to apply psychotherapy that has different approaches and modalities. These approaches should be directed at supporting and guiding patients and offering them helpful advice concerning specific situations. Moreover, Diamond and Hersh (159) recommend using Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) that has already demonstrated its efficacy for borderline personality disorder (BPD), a frequently co-current condition with NPD. The researchers adjusted the tactics and methods of this therapy to treating NPD, preserving its main principles. TFP’s core focus is placed on changing self-perception and improving relationships with others. In addition, therapists can use medications if patients experience some concomitant mental diseases, including antidepressants and sedatives.
Work Cited
Diamond, Diana, and Richard G. Hersh. “Transference-Focused Psychotherapy for Narcissistic Personality Disorder: An Object Relations Approach.” Journal of Personality Disorders, vol. 34, no. Supplement, 2020, pp. 159-176. Web.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Mayo Clinic, 2017. Web.