Narcissistic Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Narcissistic is a type of personality that is characterized by feeling more important than others, less concerned about the surrounding environment, and easily jealous of other people’s success.
Narcissism can be a personality trait, it can also be a personality disorder. The difference is in the narcissistic personality traits, people who experience it and those around them do not feel disturbed by this personality.
Meanwhile, in narcissistic personality disorder, the sufferer experiences disturbances in interacting with the people around him. This article will discuss more about narcissistic personality disorder. How to Deal with Narcissists
Symptom
Narcissistic personality disorder generally begins when a person reaches adulthood, which is around the age of 17 years. The main symptom shown is feeling himself great and not caring about others.
This is happening over and over again. People who experience narcissistic personality disorder feel they are the most important in the world so that other people are considered unimportant.
People with this personality disorder generally appear arrogant, easily put others down, and often patronize others. She generally often complains about the services of other people, for example a household assistant or a restaurant waitress she meets.
Reason
Until now, the cause of narcissism is not known with certainty. However, it is suspected that biological, genetic, and social factors influence a person to experience narcissistic personality disorder.
Attitudes and the way parents treat children when they are young greatly influence the formation of narcissistic personalities when children become adults. In addition, people who cannot stand pressure tend to be more prone to experiencing this personality disorder. Narcissism and Confidence Are Different, Here’s the Comparison
Diagnosis
Any suspicion of narcissistic personality disorder must be confirmed by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a person is suspected of having a narcissistic disorder if symptoms are found in the form of having imagination or behavior that shows that he is superior to other people (feeling prettier, more powerful, more important), wants to always be praised and appreciated, and don’t care about other people. This is a sign you have a Narcissistic Disorder
Furthermore, the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder is confirmed when at least five or more of the following symptoms are present:
- Having excessive attitudes or behavior in exaggerating himself. For example, feeling very good at singing even though his voice is not melodious.
- Having constant thoughts that he is a very successful person, has influence over many things, is very smart, and is liked by many people
- Believes that he is very special so he only wants to interact with people who have a high socioeconomic status.
- Always want to be praised excessively.
- Feeling entitled to everything more than anyone else.
- Take advantage of others to benefit yourself,
- Lack of empathy for others, unable to care about the feelings and needs of others.
- Easily jealous of other people, or believes that many people are jealous of him.
- Arrogant
Treatment
People with narcissistic personality disorder rarely seek help or treatment on their own.
This is because in general, he feels there is no problem with himself. Usually, family or the closest person who recommends and takes him for treatment.
Narcissistic treatment requires a long time and good cooperation from the patient. Treatment is carried out by a psychiatrist. Some of the types of treatment carried out are:
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Psychotherapy
People who experience narcissism generally believe that they are perfect and superior to others. This perception will slowly be changed through psychotherapy.
Gradually, the psychiatrist will help the sufferer to think more realistically, realize that every human being has flaws, and teach others empathy.
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Group therapy
In group therapy, treatment is carried out by a psychiatrist together with several patients. Here, interactions between patients are relied upon to ‘destroy’ each other’s egos, and being supportive to overcome personality disorders together.
Drugs are not commonly used to treat this personality disorder.
Prevention
Until now there is no recommended prevention to prevent narcissistic personality disorder. However, educating children properly from childhood can reduce the risk of this personality disorder.
The habit of placing the child as the greatest and most prioritized figure must be avoided so that he does not grow into a narcissistic person.