Some of the symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome and narcissistic personality disorder overlap, but they are two unique conditions. It is possible to have both autism and a personality disorder.
Narcissism is a personality trait that anyone can experience. “Narcissists” can be described as having “a big ego,” “lacking empathy,” or “feeling entitled.”
Being a narcissist from time to time is different from someone living with narcissistic personality disorder — a mental health condition that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in distressing ways.
Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental condition. Asperger’s now falls under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in diagnostic manuals, and some researchers have cautioned against using the name “Asperger’s” for historical reasons. This means that while many people may still consider themselves to have Asperger’s syndrome or have Asperger’s, all new diagnoses will be for autism spectrum disorder.
Asperger’s and narcissistic personality disorder are different but share symptoms. Doctors even need to rule out personality disorders when diagnosing autism in adults.
Can Asperger’s look like narcissism?
Narcissism, or narcissistic personality disorder, can sometimes be confused with Asperger’s syndrome. This is because some of the traits of Asperger’s syndrome can look similar to narcissistic traits.
What’s similar is how people with autism and people with narcissistic personality disorder communicate and function socially.
People with both conditions may have difficulty:
Starting and maintaining relationships with others
Feeling or showing empathy
Caring about or listening to others
Functioning daily at work, school, and in other areas of life due to relationship challenges
But the underlying motivation behind these symptoms is where things differ.
A person with Asperger’s syndrome may appear arrogant or selfish because they compensate for their challenges by socializing. A person with narcissistic personality disorder may appear arrogant or selfish because they feel superior to others.
Research from 2014Trusted Source found that some people with autism can act “narcissistically,” such as:
Being less likely to admit their mistakes
Being overly sensitive to criticism and being overly critical of others
Appearing to be self-obsessed
These descriptions can also describe someone with narcissistic personality disorder.
How to tell the difference between Asperger’s syndrome and narcissism
There are many signs and symptoms that the two conditions don’t share.
Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition, while personality disorders are inherent patterns and behaviors that affect how you think, respond emotionally, relate to others, and manage your behaviors.
Here are some differences between autism and narcissism:
Restricted and repetitive behaviors: A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder requires that a person exhibits restricted or repetitive behaviors. People with narcissistic personality disorder typically do not have these symptoms.
Lack of listening or empathy: Many people with narcissism and autism are described as lacking empathy. People with autism spectrum disorder appear to lack empathy or not listen because of the challenges they face in social interactions, especially nonverbal communication. People with narcissistic personality disorder may be so focused on themselves that they do not listen or empathize with others.
Theme of preoccupation: People with narcissistic personality disorder are often preoccupied with fantasies, especially those about themselves. People with autism are more likely to be preoccupied with objects (or parts of objects) or their interests.
Motivation behind narcissistic traits: A person with autism may appear arrogant or selfish to compensate for the challenges they face in social interactions. A person with narcissistic personality disorder may appear this way because they are unwilling or unable to empathize, feel superior to others, or exploit situations to meet their own needs.
Symptoms of Narcissism
Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder can include:
A sense of self-importance and superiority, often resulting in exaggeration of one’s qualities and accomplishments
An unwillingness to acknowledge or empathize with the feelings of others
Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, beauty, love, etc.
A need for admiration
A sense of entitlement and belief that special treatment is due
Intentionally exploiting others
Appearing arrogant, haughty, or selfish
Frequently feeling jealous or believing that others are envious of them
Symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including the level of severity or whether the person has other co-occurring conditions such as depression, a substance use disorder, or another personality disorder.
A person will not receive a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder until a mental health professional can evaluate the long-term pattern of these symptoms. Most doctors will not diagnose a person with a personality disorder until that person is an adult.
Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome
As noted in a 2006 article, the signs and symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Fourth Edition (DSM-4) include:
Challenges with nonverbal behaviors, such as eye contact or gestures
Showing little or no interest in sharing experiences with others
Lack of social and emotional reciprocity (giving and receiving)
Excessive preoccupation with certain interests
Following routines and rituals in an inflexible manner
Repetitive motor movements, such as finger flapping or whole-body movements
Preoccupation with parts of objects
According to the DSM-4, a person will not receive a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome unless their symptoms significantly affect their ability to function daily. They also cannot have significant delays in language or cognitive development. But in the DSM, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), a person with these traits would receive a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder instead.
What is the connection between narcissistic abuse and autism?
Narcissistic abuse typically refers to emotional or psychological abuse. This abuse can happen to anyone in a relationship with someone with NPD — a parent-child relationship, a romantic relationship, or a relationship with a family member or friend.
There is no clear link between narcissistic abuse and autism. However, a 2019 studyTrusted Source found that children with autism are more likely to experience abuse.
A 2015 study by Trusted Source adds that children with high levels of autistic traits are more likely to be targeted for abuse — sexual, emotional, and physical.
So, people with autism may be more likely to be victims of narcissistic abuse.
Read more about how narcissistic abuse can affect you.
Can narcissism and autism coexist?
Research has been limited, so more data is needed, but according to research from 2023, 68% of people with autism also met diagnostic criteria for at least one personality disorder.
A 2021 review of studiesTrusted Source noted that only 0% to 6.4% of people with autism spectrum disorder also met or fit the criteria for narcissistic personality disorder.
While anyone can receive diagnoses of autism and narcissistic personality disorder, autism is more likely to coexist with other personality disorders, such as:
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)
Schizotypal personality disorder
Researchers suggest Trusted Source that people who have been diagnosed with personality disorders are more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. They add that adults with undiagnosed autism may have a higher chance of developing a personality disorder.
