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What are the Personality Disorders?

You would be suffering from a Personality Disorder if you have unhealthy and rigid patterns of Thinking, behaving and functioning. It is difficult to diagnose if you have a personality disorder because the way you behave and think is very natural to you. Since,You often find that the problems you have to face are due to other people around you and not due to your specific actions. Hence,You find it difficult to adjust to your work and interpersonal relationships.

These are relatively permanent patterns in the way you behave and experience inner emotions. The pattern is seen in areas of your thoughts, emotions, interpersonal functioning and impulse management.

What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD)?

The classic description of NPD in one word is the pattern of “Grandiosity”, either in behavior or fantasy. You will have a longing desire for admiration from everyone and a complete absence of empathy towards other people. If you suffer from NPD, you will have an unshakable belief about your being of primary importance to anyone and everyone you meet.

People with NPD  generally have patronizing and snobbish attitudes. If you find yourself or a friend of yours complain about most of the people around themselves and finds faults about them; It could be an indication of NPD.

People with this Personality disorder believe that they are superior or special and like to bond with others who they believe are unique and special. When they associate with special people,their self-esteem is boosted, which is generally fragile in their cases. In addition,people with NPD cannot stand criticism or rejection in any form.

Specific symptoms of NPD

• You feel yourself to be “Very Important”
• Fantasizing about power, success, beauty, ideal romance or Intelligence
• You believe yourself to be unique and hence can only be understood by a few special people
• Need constant admiration and attention from others
• You always have unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment from others
•  Do not hesitate to take advantage of others to reach your goals
• You have no empathy for the feelings of other people
•  Think others are jealous of you and You are jealous of others
• You always show an arrogant attitude and behavior

Possible causes and Treatment

The cause of NPD, like most of the personality disorders, are not very clear and absolute;However, But both genetic and environmental factors are responsible for the development of this condition. Early life experiences play a major role.

Hence, Treatment of NPD is difficult due to the pervasive underlying low self-esteem and hence the defensiveness and projected grandiosity. Also, It is very difficult for such people to acknowledge vulnerability. Although, Individual Therapy and Group Therapy can help them in relating to others in a more empathetic way and understand their patterns of behavior.

Learn More about Dr Prerna Kohli

We have all heard the term psychopaths in TV shows or movies. When the word springs up, our first association is always towards which is something outside. It’s not wrong in thinking that psychopaths are serial killers, but along with it, there is a possibility that we are living with one. Psychopathology is a series mental health illness and needs immediate treatment.

But, how do we identify a psychopath?

Thus, below are few signs shown by a psychopath:

Manipulative:

They are highly manipulative. They will appear as charming and loving individuals, who can please anyone when they want. This charming sense of self is not genuine but to their liking. Many people can’t identify the manipulative behavior, hence fall for them.

Impulsive:

Psychopaths are prone to impulsiveness. They generally appear to be calm and composed but have impulsive tendencies. If the certain idea of shoplifting seems exciting to them, they will indulge in the act. Their sense of impulsiveness can also range from torture to serial killings.

No Empathy:

Most importantly, they aren’t empathetic at all. They can’t understand others feelings and are highly egoistic. Everything they do must be from their own liking and perspective. They don’t consider yours or anyone else’s feelings. In their mind, what they are doing is perfectly fine.

Dishonest:

They can easily lie, without blinking their eyes. It is not necessary that they will lie to get out of a situation. They will lie because they feel a certain excitement when people start believing in their lie. They find it enjoyable when people start believing them.

Prone to Violence:

These people are very violent. Their violent behavior is not triggered by any specific agent. Hence, they do not get violent when they are in a rage, but they become violent in a very calculated manner. Their violent release is from torturing or inflicting pain to animal or people.

Shallowness:

Psychopaths are very shallow people. They don’t let anyone enter their inner self, and hence they come across as cold people. Thus, they will and can make stories about their lives and in detail to just maintain the shallowness.

High Level of Intelligence:

The level of intelligence they have is very high. Intelligence doesn’t mean that they are academically good, but they pick up things very easily. Also, to portray themselves superior, they will use terms which are not common for the layman.

Arrogant:

Along with the high level of intelligence, they are very arrogant. They have a very high level of self-esteem. Which makes them think that they can never be caught for their misdeeds. Their high self-esteem can also be seen as a delusion of grandeur.

No Understanding of Morality:

Like many of us, they do not distinguish between right or wrong. Which then makes them torture animals. By doing this, they start exploring the boundaries of right and wrong.  Also, if they are “told” something is wrong, and someone does the wrong, then the right way to correct them is through torture.

Lack of Guilt:

Psychopaths do not feel guilty about their actions. For them, humans and animals are objects to play with. They do not feel any kind of remorse for their activities. Hence, they will not take responsibility for their actions.

If someone you know is showing these signs and symptoms, then please visit a mental health professional immediately.

To Learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli.