Narcissism is a trait that refers to extreme self-involvement to the degree that it makes a person ignore the needs of those around them. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance, need and seek too much attention, and want people to admire them. People with NPD may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. Symptoms of NPD are more severe, occur across different situations and environments, and make relationships with others challenging, if not impossible. Here are some signs of NPD:
- Sense of self-importance: People with NPD have an inflated sense of their own importance.
- Preoccupation with power, beauty, or success: They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them.
- Entitled: People with NPD may feel entitled to special treatment.
- Can only be around people who are important or special: They may only associate with people they deem important or special.
- Interpersonally exploitative for their own gain: They may take advantage of others to achieve their own goals.
- Arrogant: They may have an arrogant attitude towards others.
- Lack empathy: They may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others.
- Require constant admiration: They have a deep need for constant attention or admiration.
- Tend to be envious: They may be envious of others or believe that others are envious of them.
Its important to note that narcissism is a trait, but it can also be a part of a larger personality disorder. Not every narcissist has NPD, as narcissism is a spectrum.
