Hw to treat narcissism?

Narcissists have a prominent place in the popular imagination, and the label "narcissist" is widely deployed to refer to people who appear too full of themselves. There's also a growing sense that narcissism is on the rise around the world, especially among young people, although most psychological research does not support that notion. Narcissism is properly viewed on a spectrum. The trait is normally distributed in the population, with most people scoring near the middle, and a few at either extreme. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), developed by Robert Raskin and Calvin S. Hall in 1979, is the most commonly used measure of the trait. Scores range from 0 to 40, with the average tending to fall in the low to mid-teens. Healthy individuals who score somewhat higher may be perceived as exceedingly charming, especially on the first encounter, but eventually, come across as vain. Such individuals may have awkward or stressful personal encounters but still have fundamentally healthy personalities. Contents The Traits of Narcissism How to Handle a Narcissist Narcissism in Relationships The Traits of Narcissism Burlingham/Shutterstock It’s easy to describe someone who spends a bit too much time talking about her career or who never seems to doubt himself as a narcissist, but the trait is more complicated than that. Narcissism does not necessarily represent a surplus of self-esteem or of insecurity; more accurately, it encompasses a hunger for appreciation or admiration, a desire to be the center of attention, and an expectation of special treatment reflecting perceived higher status. Interestingly, research finds, many highly narcissistic people often readily admit to an awareness that they are more self-centered. A high level of narcissism, not surprisingly, can be damaging in romantic, familial, or professional relationships. How do I spot a narcissist? Narcissism is characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, a need for excessive admiration, and the belief that one is unique and deserving of special treatment. If you encounter someone who consistently exhibits these behaviors, you may be dealing with a highly narcissistic individual. What’s the difference between narcissism and pathological narcissism? Pathological narcissism, or narcissistic personality disorder, is rare: It affects an estimated 1 percent of the population, a prevalence that hasn't changed since clinicians started measuring it. The disorder is suspected when narcissistic traits impair a person’s daily functioning. That dysfunction typically causes friction in relationships due to the pathological narcissist's lack of empathy. It may also manifest as antagonism, fueled by grandiosity and attention-seeking. In seeing themselves as superior, the pathological narcissist naturally views everyone else as inferior and may be intolerant of disagreement or questioning. Do narcissists know that they are narcissists? If you wonder whether someone is a narcissist, it might be best just to ask them. It’s generally assumed that people either don’t realize that they are narcissists, or deny it to avoid a challenge to their identity. But in research using the so-called Single-Item Narcissism Scale, people who answered affirmatively to the single question, “Are you a narcissist?” were far more likely than others to score highly on narcissism on the 40-question Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Are there any benefits to being narcissistic? Research has discovered some benefits in relatively high but subclinical narcissism, such as increased mental toughness (performing well in high-pressure situations) and higher achievement in school and on the job. A heightened sense of self-worth may also make a person more motivated and assertive than others. Other research has linked narcissism to a lower incidence of depression narcissist's desire to elicit admiration and praise, especially from potential romantic partners, often makes them charming and charismatic, traits that can rapidly ignite a romance. But their inherent deficit of empathy may prevent them from understanding a partner's inner world and establishing a fulfilling long-term relationship. From an evolutionary perspective, it has been theorized that, at least in the realm of mating, narcissism may serve an adaptive function: increased success in short-term mating. Cross-cultural research has found that narcissists tend to have higher levels of sociosexuality: They are more interested in short-term relationships or hookups, and more likely to pursue partners who are already in committed relationships. treatment for NPD can be challenging. Much depends on the person’s willingness to enter therapy and to stick with it. There are several forms of therapy that can be used to treat NPD. Let’s take a look at some of them, plus tips on where to find help. Types of therapy for narcissistic personality disorder Your mental health provider will begin by assessing your psychological functioning. They’ll also consider differential diagnoses and coexisting conditions before recommending a plan for treatment. Therapy for NDP will likely involve: helping you overcome resistance to therapy identifying narcissistic behaviors that are causing problems in your life examining past experiences and assumptions that led to narcissistic behaviors acknowledging how these behaviors affect others replacing grandiose thoughts with more realistic ones exploring new patterns of behavior and practicing them seeing the benefits of newly learned behaviors Psychotherapy Psychoanalysis is a form of talk therapy. Through one-on-one sessions, you’ll explore the reasons behind your feelings and behaviors. As you begin to understand your past, current emotions and behaviors come into focus. This can help you better manage your thoughts and feelings. Then, you can start changing the way you react to them. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) The focus of CBT is to identify unhealthy patterns of thought and behavior and replace them with healthier ones. You’ll practice new skills with your therapist. You’ll also have homework assignments to put these skills into action between sessions. There are many CBT techniques, such as: journaling situation exposure cognitive restructuring scheduling positive activities guided discovery and questioning Schema therapy Schema therapy is an integrative approach to therapy. It combines elements of psychotherapy and CBT. The aim is to help you identify and understand unhelpful patterns and coping mechanisms that formed from early childhood experiences. Once you uncover these maladaptive schemas, you can learn to modify them. With practice, you’ll find new ways to help meet your emotional needs and change your behavior toward others. Gestalt therapy Gestalt therapy is a form of psychotherapy. You’ll focus more on the present than the past or the future. Earlier life experiences are considered in the context of how they affect you today. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on what’s happening in your life now. You’ll work on improving self-awareness and self-responsibility. Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) MBT works on improving your ability to reflect on yourself, as well as the thoughts and emotions of others. Then, you’ll learn to connect emotions to behavior patterns. You’ll explore the intent behind other people’s behavior and work on thinking things through before reacting. Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) In TFP, you take your emotions about someone else and direct them toward the therapist. This may make it easier to talk things through. The therapist can help you gain insight into your thoughts and feelings. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) DBT is a form of CBT with a focus on mindfulness emotion regulation distress tolerance interpersonal effectiveness (relationship skills) DBT may involve individual and group therapy sessions where you’ll learn and practice new coping strategies. Metacognitive interpersonal therapy (MIT) MIT is a step-by-step treatment designed to: dismantle narcissistic processes by looking at problems as they pertain to your own life recognize maladaptive patterns and interpersonal functioning promote change by distancing from old behaviors and building new adaptive patterns The therapist will also look for barriers to effective therapy and work to help improve them. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy In EMDR therapy, the assumption is that narcissism is based on difficult early life experiences or traumas. EMDR therapy is a step-by-step process divided into eight distinct phases. As you progress, you’ll be encouraged to address: negative memories traumatic events emotional triggers As you do, the therapist will direct eye movements to divert your attention. The goal is to lessen the impact of traumatic memories. How long therapy for narcissism lasts Therapy for NPD is a long process. You may feel like you’re improving early on, but it’s important not to leave therapy early. It’s likely to take several years — or even longer — to truly make meaningful change. Other coexisting mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder should be treated as well. When to contact a medical professional If you’re concerned that you exhibit narcissistic behaviors, consider contacting a medical or mental health professional for evaluation. Even if you only have a few tendencies toward narcissistic behavior, therapy can help you look at things differently. According to a small 2017 review of case studies Trusted Source, people who have NPD experience significant social problems and multiple medical conditions, so it’s worth seeking help. Also, what appears to be narcissistic behavior could very well be due to another condition. Other causes of similar symptoms include anxiety disorders bipolar disorder depressive disorders other personality disorders substance use disorder NPD doesn’t always present the same way. A broad-spectrum may exist that includes covert narcissism and malignant narcissism. A qualified doctor or therapist can help determine the best approach. If you’re ready for change, now is the time to take that first step toward improving your life. Where to find a provider You shouldn’t try to diagnose yourself or anyone else with a personality disorder. Symptoms of personality disorders can overlap, and there are often coexisting conditions that play a role. That’s why it’s best to seek help from a licensed mental health professional. The diagnosis will be made based on the DSM-5. You can start with your primary care doctor. They can refer you to a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist experienced in the treatment of NPD. You can learn more about finding a provider at these sites: Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source MentalHealth.gov National Alliance on Mental Illness National Institute of Mental Health Or, you can search for a care provider using the Healthline Find Care tool. Takeaway Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition. It’s typified by: grandiose ideas a lack of empathy a deeply rooted need for admiration Despite the frequent use of the word “narcissism” to describe self-centered behaviors, the actual disorder is not common. It takes a mental health professional to make the diagnosis. Narcissistic behaviors can affect your relationships and your quality of life. But a variety of therapies can help you learn to change these behaviors for the better. These are usually long-term treatments that depend on a willingness to continue over the long haul. Traditional therapy – done online Find a therapist from BetterHelp’s network of therapists for your everyday therapy needs. Take a quiz, get matched, and start getting support via phone or video sessions. Plans start at $60 per week + an additional 10% off. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph.D., CRNP — Written by Ann Pietrangelo on December 11, 2020