Dealing With Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Dealing With Narcissistic Personality Disorder

dealing with narcissistic personality disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or more commonly known as NPD is a very serious mental disease. People suffering from this condition are usually snobbish and patronizing. In a nutshell, they see themselves as superior to others, and the general rules of society does not apply to them. Interestingly enough, the disorder is more commonly diagnosed in males, though it is not gender specific.

To date, it is unclear as to what causes NPD. There are various theories, including a belief that the disorder might be genetic or biological, since it has it’s roots in early childhood. It is believed that social factors can also play a roll. An absent or abusive parent can play a roll, making the child feel inadequate. In a sense, you might say that a narcissist is trying to over-compensate. However, if you ask them about their childhood, they will paint you a perfect picture.

Narcissitic Personality Disorder symptoms will include a list of the following;

  • An over-inflated sense of self worth. They will usually exagarate accomplishments and achievements
  • They are preoccupied with fantasies of power, superiority and beauty.
  • A narcissist will believe that they are unique and can only be understood by fellow superior unique beings.
  • They feed of excessive admiration
  • The sense of entitlement is out of proportion. They have unreasonably high expectations of people.
  • NPD sufferers will exploit others as far as possible to further their own cause. They have a unique ability to expose and exploit your deepest insecurities and run with that.
  • They lack empathy or general remorse for their deeds.
  • A snobbish or condescending behavior and attitude is commonplace
  • Narcissists will tell more white lies than you can ice a cake with.
  • They often believe that people are jealous of their achievements.

A person is usually diagnosed if they display 5 or more of the symptoms listed

As you can imagine, dealing with narcissistic personality disorder is not easy by any means. You feel like an adult running after a naughty child who pulls the wool over your eyes without even trying. What makes the matter that much worse is the fact there is no effective cure or known treatment. The disorder only decreases in intensity with age. The only treatment that seems to work is prolonged psychotherapy, and in certain cases, medication to curb the symptoms. However, you are facing another problem. Narcissists are never wrong, and getting them to go for treatment is almost impossible.

So, what is left for you to do? How to deal with narcissistic personality disorder if it was diagnosed in one of the people around you?

The best you can do is protect yourself and your weaknesses.

  1. Establish strict boundaries.

    Lay the rules down very clear that you are not a doormat, and that you will never ever be held accountable for their bad behavior. Do not enable them in any way to exploit you.

  2. Keep yourself to yourself

    Around a narcissist, only share your accomplishments with those who really matter. If they can’t get any reaction out of you, they will lose interest eventually. By doing this, you are also avoiding their ready-to-share judgment.

  3. Ignore them

    This might seem overly simplified, but smile at their back handed insults and crooked compliments. A true narcissist will see you as weak when you try to engage them in a civil open conversation.