In psychology, narcissism is considered a normal function of the personality. It encompasses a sense of identity integration and self-worth, the capacity to enjoy life, and satisfaction of needs for autonomy and dependency, intimacy and solitude. At its core lies a healthy integration of the self. However, narcissistic experiences can sometimes cause significant suffering for the individual and those around them.

 

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward others. It is a persistent pattern of behavior that typically begins in adolescence and significantly impacts a person’s personal and professional life.

NPD is marked by a number of traits that may appear simultaneously or in part. A narcissistic individual tends to overestimate their achievements and talents. They may have fantasies of unlimited success, power, beauty, or ideal love, and believe they are unique - deserving recognition only from those of high status.

People with narcissistic personality disorder have a constant need for admiration. They feel entitled to special treatment and assume that others will naturally meet their expectations. In interpersonal relationships, this often leads to exploitative behavior. One of the core emotional experiences in narcissism is envy - both feeling envy toward others and believing that others envy them.

The prevalence of NPD in the general population is about 1%, and it is more commonly diagnosed in men. The causes of NPD are not clearly understood and are likely multifactorial. Some research points to a genetic predisposition toward certain narcissistic traits. However, environmental factors - especially parenting style (either emotional neglect and coldness or excessive admiration) - as well as trauma, are considered central to its development.

 

Impact on Life

A key internal conflict in NPD lies in the contrast between grandiosity and deep-rooted insecurity. Narcissistic individuals require constant admiration and validation, as without it they feel insignificant. Chronic - often conscious or unconscious - envy of others’ successes and the belief that others are envious of them can foster a sense of injustice.

Despite their outward confidence, people with NPD are very sensitive to criticism. They often experience inner emptiness and fear that their "not being good enough" will be exposed, which creates ongoing psychological stress. They may strive for high achievements, but their unrealistic expectations and sensitivity to failure can result in disappointment and depression.

People with NPD often struggle to maintain long-term relationships. In romantic relationships, envy plays a major role. A narcissistic individual may be drawn to someone and want to build a relationship with them, but simultaneously envy the very traits that attracted them. This leads to attempts to devalue or destroy those traits. This cycle repeats with every new partner and contributes to other symptoms: difficulty trusting others, emotional emptiness, inability to commit, and lack of empathy.

 

Treatment

People with narcissistic personality disorder usually seek help when their maladaptive behaviors significantly affect their close relationships and cause major problems in different life areas. Treatment of personality disorders involves working on specific targets, generally defined as reducing interpersonal conflict and stabilizing psychosocial functioning.

The main form of treatment is psychotherapy, which helps the person understand their behavior and develop more adaptive patterns. Effective therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In psychodynamic frameworks, Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) is specifically designed for working with narcissistic individuals.

Evidence for the effectiveness of medication is limited; it is used only in the presence of co-occurring conditions.

Therapy can help individuals with narcissistic personality disorder recognize patterns in their behavior, become aware of their needs, and develop more constructive and adaptive coping mechanisms - ultimately improving their quality of life and overall satisfaction.