Have you ever come across a person who considered themselves superior to others, is self-centered and have a lack of empathy towards others? Yes? Let me tell you all that there are chances maybe that person has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Significantly, studies have shown that about 6% of populations have this personality order.
WHAT IS NPD?
First let us talk about Personality Disorder. A personality disorder affects our behavior. How a person feels, thinks and behave about things and people around them.
Now people with NPD are self-centered and lack empathy.
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior characterized by self-centeredness, lack of empathy, and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. [verywellmind.com]
According to a study led by University of Chicago Medicine Psychiatrist and personality disorder specialist Royce Lee, MD observed that NPD is caused due to increase in oxidative stress in blood and interpersonal hypersensitivity.
Oxidative stress is a molecular imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals, or reactive oxygen molecules in the body. Moreover, the imbalance creates stress on the body because it must metabolize excessive oxidative chemicals that go to the brain and throughout the body.
CAUSES:
- Abuse or Trauma
- Overindulgence of parents
- Unreliable parenting
- Excessive praise
SYMPTOMS:
- The belief that one is unique or special and should only associate with other people of the same status
- A constant need for attention, affirmation, and praise
- An exaggerated sense of one’s abilities and achievements
- Exploiting other people for personal gain
- Feeling envious of others, or believing that others are envious of them
- Lack of empathy for others
- Persistent fantasies about attaining success and power
- Preoccupation with power or success
- Sense of entitlement and expectation of special treatment
[verywellmind.com]
Furthermore, the National Institute of Mental health suggests that approx 9.1% of the U.S’s adult population suffers from at least one type of personality disorder and according to earlier estimates approximately 6.2% of America’s adult population experienced NPD.
COPING:
Above all, it must be very difficult for the people who have relations with the person suffering from NPD to cope up with them. Sometimes people with NPD do not have control over themselves so they engage in exploitive behavior to attract the other person’s attention. Therefore, while coping with them you can keep the following things in mind to make it easier.
- Set boundaries: It is the most important thing to keep in mind. We must set limits or boundaries with the other person. Also, don’t let them direct their anger, abusive behaviors towards you.
- Maintain support network: It can be difficult sometimes to recognize abusive behaviors. Having someone to talk to like a therapist, family and friends, help you to understand the situation effectively.
- Calmness: Try to be calm when the person’s behavior affects you.
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