Jack Dikian
March 2011
Introduction
Narcissistic personality disorder, according to the DSM-IV is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts and as indicated by five (or more) ... of 9 main features listed commencing with “a grandiose sense of self-importance…”.
And even while many highly successful individuals might be considered narcissistic. this disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviours become persistent and very disabling or distressing. While grandiosity is the diagnostic hallmark of pathological narcissism, there is research evidence that pathological narcissism occurs in two forms, a
(a) Grandiose state of mind in young adults that can be may be corrected by life experiences, and
(b) Stable disorder that is less about grandiosity and more around severely disturbed interpersonal relations.
Prognosis and treatment
The preferred theory seems to be that narcissism is caused by very early affective deprivation, yet the clinical material tends to describe narcissists as unwilling rather than unable, thus discussing narcissistic behaviours as a character disorder rather than framed as a personality disorder.
This distinction is important to prognosis and treatment possibilities. If, for example, narcissism is a behaviour pattern that has been learned, then there may options to assist moderate, un-learn, and/or substitute behaviours – through psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive-behavioral treatment modalities. Medication is sometimes prescribed to control and ameliorate attendant conditions such as mood disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorders.
On the other hand if this disorder is caused by damage in early childhood then it is probably represents an irremediable condition.
Recent research outcome
Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, said a study she conducted of 16,000 university students across the US showed 30 per cent were narcissistic in psychological tests, compared with 15 per cent in 1982.
Professor Twenge said the finding built on another study based on interviews with 35,000 people of varying ages, who were asked if they had ever had symptoms of narcissism. 3 per cent of those over 65 had had symptoms, while for people in their 20s it was 10 per cent. These numbers are interesting and somewhat shocking, particularly when we consider, and according to the DSM-IV between 0.5-1% of the general population are diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
According to Professor Twenge permissive parenting, celebrity culture and the internet are among the causes of the emerging narcissism epidemic. She said telling children they were special to build self-esteem could foster narcissism.
A thought...
I am guessing the Internet era has bought with it a languge and perhaphs even more a belief that the world really does revolve around an individuale – reflect how a generation has grown up with large organisations seemingly being so ameniable through the use of website names like MyBank, MyBus, and even MySchool.
Jean Twenge is Professor of psychology at San Diego State University
