Abstract
A narcissistic personality disorder is a mental problem where an individual develops a feeling that he or she is superior to other members of society. People who suffer from this disorder tend to look down upon other members of society. They would prefer using others to their own benefit and disregard the need to respect others or the law. Although there are no known biological causes of this disease, many medical practitioners have related it to poor parentage, where children are made to feel superior to other members of society. If left untreated, patients suffering from this disease may suffer from a series of social problems. They may not be able to have sustainable relationships in their lives. They may also react aggressively whenever they are criticized by anyone in society. In order to treat this disease, psychologists and physicians have always recommended the use of psychotherapy in order to correct the mental disorder.
Defining narcissism
Narcissism is a personality disorder that is a state of mind where an individual develops a feeling of superiority over others within a given social setting. Paris (2013) defines narcissism as “A mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration.” As seen in this definition, this is a mental disorder where an individual feels overly superior to others in all spheres. They develop a strong sense of self-appreciation, always feeling superior to others in society. It is important to understand that narcissism is different from self- esteem or egocentric feelings. It goes beyond the two.
It is a strong feeling of self-superiority that makes one feel that others are objects that do not deserve any form of attention. The fact that this feeling makes one despise others and over-value self is what makes it a disorder. People suffering from the disorder cannot relate with other members of the society in a proper way because they will always be feeling that they are mere objects. These people are also hypersensitive to any form of criticism. Because they feel superior to others, they may not take any form of criticism from people. They can react violently when criticized, or be withdrawn, a fact that will affect their quality of life.
Cause of narcissism
It is necessary to understand some of the causes of this disorder in order to determine how to address it at its earliest onset. According to Pallone (2005), there are no known biological causes of narcissism. This scholar associates narcissism with complex dysfunction in childhood. Most of the scholars have only identified risk factors that may be associated with the disease. One of the risk factors may be excessive pampering by parents during early childhood and late into adolescence. Extreme expectations from the victims or people around the victim over him or her may also cause narcissism. Some scholars have always associated this mental disorder with neglect or abuse during early childhood, while others relate it to genetic causes. Excessive praise from others, unpredictable caregiving, oversensitive temperament, and manipulative behavior of the parents or guardians may also lead to this mental disorder.
Effects of having the disorder
A narcissistic personality disorder may have serious effects on the victim, especially if it is not addressed adequately at its early stages. One of the main effects of this disorder is that it makes it difficult for an individual to have a positive relationship with peers and other members of society. According to Pallone (2005), no one likes being viewed as an object. When an individual despises other members of the society, what he or she is likely to receive out of this is a strong feeling of resentment and despise from others. This may have a serious negative impact on one’s social life. Such an individual may be forced to lead a solitary life because everyone would try to avoid them.
DuBrin (2012) notes that, people with narcissistic personality disorder, may find it difficult to obey laws, rules and regulations. This means that, at school, such individuals may find it difficult to obey their teachers and other authorities because they will always consider themselves above the law. In a society, they may have problems in obeying the law because they will always consider themselves superior to everyone. Another effect of narcissism is the inability to accept criticism from others. These individuals always feel superior to others, and do not expect any form of criticism from them. They will always view such criticism as a way of looking down upon them despite their superior nature. This may make them withdrawn or act violently against the critics. If people suffering from this mental disorder ascend to position of leadership, it may be extremely difficult to offer them guidance when they make mistakes. They will always make their words to be law irrespective of how unreasonable they may be before the society.
Treating narcissism
It is important to offer treatment to the victims of this disorder as soon as it is diagnosed in order to avoid further effects it may have on them. According to Banja (2005), the main medication that a patient suffering from this disorder may get is psychotherapy. This is because it is a mental disorder that may not be treated by offering medications to the patient. A number of therapies may be offered to the patient depending on the stage of the disorder in order to address it adequately. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be necessary to help the patient identify negative unhealthy beliefs and behavior that is undesirable in the society. These beliefs will need to be replaced with a positive attitude in the society where one learns to appreciate every member of the society. Family therapy may also be necessary to supplement cognitive behavioral therapy. Family therapy would involve exploring issues such as communication problems, conflict management, and problem solving skills.
Parents can play an important role in this by making their children realize that they are just as good as other members of the society. They should be made to believe that no one is too superior to others to be able to relate with everyone positively. Group therapy may also be important, especially if the group consists of people with a similar condition. The psychotherapist may work with the group to make them appreciate the equality of every member of the society, and the need to treat everyone with a sense of decorum. It is important to note that, at times, these patients may develop anxiety and depression if the condition is not addressed in time. Anxiety and depression may be managed using anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications.
People who can treat narcissism
Treating of this disorder needs experts who can be able to diagnose the condition and prescribe appropriate medication. Psychotherapists are in the best position to detect this disorder and prescribe the best approach of treatment. They are expected to conduct the cognitive behavioral therapy. They are also expected to guide the process of family or group therapies. In cases where the patient is suffering from any form of physical pain caused by the anxiety or depression, then physicians may be of great help.
Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis of narcissism can be conducted by either analyzing its signs and symptoms, or by conducting a psychological evaluation. According to Welt & Herron (2001), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders may be necessary in order to conduct a diagnosis of this disorder. There will be a number of issues that will need to be detected in the patient before a conclusion can be made to confirm that the patient is suffering from the disease. Exaggerated sense of importance, preoccupation with success, and the belief that one is special are some of the signs of this disorder (Meier, Charlebois, & Munz 2009).
People with constant self-admiration, sense of entitlement, the need to use others, or inability to appreciate others needs could also be a further pointer that one could be suffering from this complication. Others may develop serious envy towards others they consider more successful than them, the fact that may make them behave arrogantly. It is important to identify these symptoms during diagnosis because they are pointers that one could be suffering from this mental disorder.
The relationship between the disorder and the effect of the parenting
According to Pallone (2005), there is a close relationship between this mental disorder and the effect of parenting. Although there are no known biological causes of this disease, medical practitioners have associated it with the kind of upbringing a child gets during early stages of development. According to Paris (2013), a child that is excessively pampered by the parents may get this disorder because they are made to believe that they are special over their peers. They develop knowing that they superior, and with time, this feeling turns into a serious mental disorder of narcissism. Some psychologists have also related the bullish nature of some parents to this disorder.
Parents who constantly mistreat others or make them feel inferior to them in the presence of their children are likely to pass the disorder to their children. Such children will develop knowing that there are those who are inferior to others. They will want to emulate their parents and be the superior members of the society. To achieve this, they will try to act as their parents, abusing their peers, and viewing others as lesser beings.
According to the research the research by DuBrin (2012), parents who neglect their children are also likely to blame for this mental disorder. Children who are neglected by their parents may develop this disorder, especially when they are subjected to various forms of abuses (Goodman, Goodman, & Leff 2011). They develop the disorder as a self-defense mechanism. The disorder comes as a way of forcing other members of the society to accept them. This means , there is a direct relationship between the disorder and the effect of parenting.
References
Banja, J. D. (2005). Medical errors and medical narcissism. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Web.
DuBrin, A. J. (2012). Narcissism in the workplace: Research, opinion and practice. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Web.
Goodman, M. E. C. L., Goodman, M. D. C. L., & Leff, L. B. (2011). The Everything Guide to Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Professional, Reassuring Advice for Coping with the Disorder – At Work, at Home, and in Your Family. Holbrook: F+W Media. Web.
Meier, P. D., Charlebois, L., & Munz, C. (2009). You might be a narcissist if: How to identify narcissism in ourselves and others and what we can do about it. Minneapolis, MN: Langdon Street Press. Web.
Pallone, N. J. (2005). Altruism, narcissism, comity: Research perspectives from Current psychology. New Brunswick, N.J: Tranaction Publishers. Web.
Paris, J. (2013). Psychotherapy in an age of narcissism: Modernity, science, and society. S.l: s.n.. Web.
Welt, S. R., & Herron, W. G. (2001). Narcissism and the psychotherapist. New York: Guilford Press. Web.