What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterised by a consistent pattern of behaviours including: grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Individuals with NPD often have an inflated sense of self-importance, a sense of entitlement, and a tendency to exploit others for their own gain.
 
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition in which individuals believe they’re superior to others, more important, deserve special treatment, believe they are on this earth for a great purpose and use others to get what they want. They often crave attention and don’t care much about other people’s feelings.

take our npd test For $3.95

NPD Myths

  • NPD is caused by abuse, neglect and/or bullying in childhood.
  • People with NPD will always take advantage of you and/or try to harm you.
  • People with NPD are unable to have close and/or long term relationships.
  • All people with NPD are highly intelligent.
  • NPP can be cured.
  • People with NPP are also sociopaths.

Don’t be Fooled by Fake Quizzes

We know how hard it is to find the truth. Online content about Narcissistic Personality Disorder is often sensationalised or misleading—turning a complex condition into clickbait or stereotypes. This not only spreads stigma but also prevents real understanding and support.

We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, professional guidance when exploring their mental health. That’s why our comprehensive Narcissistic Personality pre-assessment tool is based on the DSM-5.

Take npd Quiz For $3.95

Real Narcissistic Personality Symptoms

Narcissistic Personality Disorder symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Below are some commonly experienced NPD symptoms that you may have encountered at some stage in your life, prompting you to consider the possibility of a Narcissistic Personality diagnosis:

Need For Admiration

Do you constantly seek praise and validation from others? You might always be looking for recognition and feel like you deserve special treatment.

Difficulty Maintaining Relationships

Do you find it hard to keep healthy relationships because you’re too focused on yourself? Do you often have turbulent relationships filled with drama and conflicts?

Exploitative Behaviour

Do you ever use others to get what you want? This might involve manipulating or exploiting them for your own benefit, regardless of how it affects them.

Arrogance

Do you sometimes act arrogant or superior? Do you tend to look down on others and believe you’re always right?

Fantasies Of Unlimited Success, Power, Or Beauty

Do you often daydream about achieving massive success, power, or stunning looks? Maybe you exaggerate your achievements or skills and get lost in fantasies about being wildly successful or admired.

Lack Of Empathy

Do you find it hard to understand how others feel? You might have trouble empathising with their emotions and needs, sometimes ignoring or downplaying what they’re going through.

Did you answer Yes to one or more of the above symptoms?

Take the NPD Quiz Now

Diagnosing Narcissistic Personality

To diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder, practitioners in Western Medicine typically rely on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)*. This handbook provides a standardised set of guidelines for identifying and diagnosing mental disorders, including Narcissistic Personality Disorder. 

The DSM-V criteria assess whether an individual exhibits certain personality traits that impair various areas of life, such as relationships, work, or social interactions. To be diagnosed with NPD, you must exhibit the following personality traits:

  • Consistently thinks or behaves as if superior to others.
  • Frequently fantasises about achieving immense success, power, or attractiveness.
  • Holds the belief of being unique and only understandable by significant individuals.
  • Requires frequent praise and special treatment.
  • Exploits others for personal gain.
  • Lacks empathy or concern for others’ feelings.
  • Easily becomes jealous and assumes others envy them.

take the npd test For $3.95

FAQs about NPD

Narcissistic Personality Disorder can significantly impact relationships. People with NPD often struggle to maintain healthy, long-term relationships due to their lack of empathy, constant need for admiration, and tendency to exploit others for personal gain. They may also have difficulty recognising or caring about the feelings and needs of others, which can lead to conflicts or emotional distance. Their sense of entitlement and arrogance can make them appear controlling or dismissive, creating challenges in both personal and professional relationships.

While NPD can be difficult to treat, therapy can help manage its effects. Psychotherapy, particularly talk therapy, can assist individuals in understanding their feelings and behaviours and learning healthier ways to interact with others. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often used to help change negative thought patterns. There is no specific medication for NPD, but associated symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, can sometimes be treated with medication.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is diagnosed by a mental health professional based on an individual’s behaviours, thoughts, and feelings. The DSM-5 criteria state that a person must show a consistent pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy across various situations. These traits must also cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of life. A thorough clinical evaluation helps rule out other potential mental health conditions.

The exact cause of NPD is not known, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. According to the DSM-5, early experiences, such as excessive pampering or harsh criticism in childhood, may contribute to the development of narcissistic traits. Additionally, some research suggests that temperament and personality traits present in early life can predispose individuals to develop NPD.

The DSM-5 outlines several signs of NPD, including:

  • A grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerating achievements and talents).
  • A preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, beauty, or ideal love.
  • Belief that they are “special” and unique, and can only be understood by, or associate with, other special people.
  • A need for excessive admiration.
  • A sense of entitlement, expecting special treatment.
  • Exploitative behaviour in relationships, taking advantage of others.
  • Lack of empathy, unwilling to recognise the feelings and needs of others.
  • Envy of others, or belief that others are envious of them.
  • Arrogant or haughty behaviours or attitudes.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition characterised by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. According to the DSM-5, people with NPD may have a fragile self-esteem, which makes them vulnerable to criticism, even though they often appear arrogant or superior.

ready to know more?

Start the NPD Quiz Now


*The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is the gold standard used by Psychologists and Psychiatrists to diagnose mental health conditions. Created by the American Psychiatric Association, it’s a globally recognised guide that outlines the criteria for conditions like ADHD, Autism, and Bipolar Disorder and more. The most recent edition, the DSM-5-TR, was released in 2022.

DSM-5-TR offers detailed descriptions of various mental disorders, including their symptoms, prevalence, course, and associated features. It serves as a crucial reference for clinicians, researchers, educators, and policymakers in the field of mental health.

This manual helps clinicians accurately identify and diagnose mental health conditions, guiding treatment planning and interventions. It also facilitates communication among professionals by providing a common language and framework for understanding and discussing mental health disorders.

DSM-5-TR is periodically updated to reflect advancements in scientific understanding, changes in diagnostic criteria, and emerging trends in mental health research. It plays a vital role in shaping clinical practice, research initiatives, and public health policies related to mental health and psychiatric disorders.