Narcissistic personality disorder (npd)

[Sommer]

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for adulation, and lack of empathy. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with psychodynamic psychotherapy.
(See also Overview of Personality Disorders.)
Because patients with narcissistic personality disorder have difficulty regulating self-esteem, they need praise and affiliations with special people or institutions; they also tend to devalue other people so that they can maintain a sense of superiority.
Estimated lifetime prevalence of narcissistic personality disorder varies widely but may be up to 6.2% of the general US population; it is more common among men than among women.
Comorbidities are common. Patients often also have a depressive disorder (eg, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder), anorexia nervosa, a substance use disorder (especially cocaine), or another personality disorder (histrionic, borderline, paranoid).