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Pathological Narcissism at a Glance
What is NPD?
By Dr Sam Vaknin
An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour),
need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy,usually beginning
by early adulthood and present in various contexts. Five (or more)
of the following criteria must be met:
- Feels grandiose and self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements
and talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized
as superior without commensurate achievements)
- Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome
power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist),
bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist),
or ideal, everlasting
- Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special,
can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate
with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions)
- Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation
- or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious
(narcissistic supply).
- Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favourable
priority treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with
his or her expectations
- Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others
to achieve his or her own ends
- Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with
or acknowledge the feelings and needs of others
- Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the
same about him or her
- Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes coupled with rage
when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted.
The language in the criteria above is based on or summarized
from:
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical
manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV). Washington,
DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Sam Vaknin. (1999). Malignant
Self Love - Narcissism Revisited , first edition. Prague and
Skopje: Narcissus Publication.
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