Having a healthy sense of self-esteem is a common goal for many people, but what happens when your view of yourself becomes arrogant or starts to hurt you or others? Narcissistic personality disorder can cause many challenges in daily life, whether you suffer from it yourself or interact with someone who has the condition.

Here’s a look at what “narcissist” means, what it means in relation to psychology, and other information and resources you may want to review. Keep reading to get all the details regarding this personality type.

What does “narcissist” mean?

A narcissistic person – often colloquially called a “narcissist” – can be anyone who exhibits symptoms of a narcissistic psychological condition. This state usually involves considering yourself incredibly important, often more important than others. Although narcissistic tendencies do not always cause problems, they can become problematic when they interfere with healthy relationships and interactions with others, and it is certainly not necessary to meet diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder to produce problems/issues. Not everyone with narcissistic traits meets the diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder. But such traits can still cause problems for a person with such tendencies.

Narcissistic personality disorder

There is a big difference between a person with healthy self-esteem and someone who suffers from symptoms of this disorder. Here’s a look at some of the symptoms associated with this disorder.

Inflated sense of self-importance. People with this personality disorder may believe that they are always the most important person in the room. They may talk about all the things they’ve accomplished, even if it’s not true.
The need to recognize it. They may also expect praise or a reward, even when the situation doesn’t really call for it. This could include praise in their career.
A strong sense of entitlement. Some people with this condition feel that they should be treated a certain way and that their opinions are the only ones that matter. They may not consider other people’s feelings important.
They may walk over people to get what they want. This means that they may use people to get the things they want.
He may have strong feelings of envy. If someone has a special item or has done something they would like to do, they may feel extremely jealous of it. At the same time, they likely think that everyone is jealous of them.
An air of arrogance. Even if they’re being honest, the things they say can end up coming across as arrogant, dismissive, and condescending.
The need for expensive things or status symbols. They may believe that they need and deserve the best in everything. This can mean anything from cars to clothes to a specific job.

• Inability to accept criticism. People with narcissistic personality disorder may not seem able to handle criticism in any form. They may also be ill-equipped to handle even the smallest problems or amounts of stress. They can expect to be perfect and that others should agree with that. When they don’t, this can cause conflict.
  Communication problems. They may not be able to communicate with others in a way that is beneficial to both people. This may be due to the fact that they do not often feel guilt or other common emotions. They may also show a lack of empathy.
  Harboring secret insecurity or discontent. Some people with this disorder may have feelings of envy and shame, and may have unaddressed insecure feelings.

Causes of narcissistic personality disorder

No one knows exactly what causes this disorder, but it is thought to be caused by one of the following three reasons.

There is a possibility that some people may develop this disorder because it has been inherited from one of their family members or from their genes.
Another explanation is that the person may have been treated a certain way as a child or while growing up. They may have been treated as if they had never done anything wrong, or they had always done wrong, both of which can contribute to narcissistic feelings and tendencies. There are times in a child’s life when he or she may exhibit some of these types of behavior, but there is usually no cause for concern. Most children will grow out of this.
There may be neurological problems, as genes that control certain areas of the brain responsible for behavior can be damaged.
What can cause NPD?
If someone has narcissistic personality disorder, it can affect all aspects of their life. For example, it can lead to misuse of substances, such as illicit drugs or alcohol. They may realize that they do not have a problem or believe that they can do as many things as they want without negative consequences.

They may also have problems getting along with others at home, school, and the office. This can cause problems in all types of relationships and lead to issues that open the door to other possible mental conditions.

For example, sometimes people with narcissistic personality disorder may also develop depression or another type of mental health problem over time. These matters must be addressed as quickly as possible, especially if they involve feelings of violence or suicide.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling 988. They are available for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How is narcissistic personality disorder treated?

If you think you may have this disorder, it may be important to seek treatment for it. You can sign up for talk therapy, where you can talk to a therapist and see if you can identify what may be triggering your thoughts and feelings, as well as how to process them more healthily. Once you can understand your thought processes, you may be able to improve your mental health.

Online therapy

The most common treatment for this disorder is psychotherapy. This involves talking to a professional about your problems and learning how to cope with things. You may be able to process some of the feelings you’re experiencing, such as a potential lack of empathy. One place to turn to online therapy is BetterHelp. You can use BetterHelp from the comfort of your home.

In some cases, the entire family may need treatment due to issues related to narcissism. It’s a discussion you can have with them and your healthcare professional to determine what is right for your needs.

Prescriptions are also sometimes necessary, but it’s usually only when the disorder is mixed with other things, such as depression, that it sometimes needs to be dealt with quickly. You may want to ask your primary care provider about your treatment options to make any medication decisions.

Studies have shown that digital cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in reducing symptoms of various mental health conditions. Online therapy may also be more cost-effective than traditional therapy, especially when you consider the money saved in transportation costs, child care, and time off from work.