Based on some overlapping symptoms, borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are two mental health disorders that are often mistaken for one another.
Other psychiatric disorders can imitate narcissistic traits and NPD. An individual must fulfill specific criteria to be diagnosed with NPD. Suffering from depression, PTSD, or substance abuse disorder can mimic NPD.
The term narcissist gets thrown around loosely, but it's important to remember that there is a difference between a narcissist and narcissistic personality disorder, NPD is mental illness while narcissism is an adjective to describe someone who exhibits egotistical and selfish behavior.
“To what extent do you agree with this statement: 'I am a narcissist.'”
The false self replaces the narcissist's true self and is intended to shield him from hurt and narcissistic injury by self-imputing omnipotence. The narcissist pretends that his false self is real and demands that others affirm this confabulation, meanwhile keeping his real imperfect true self under wraps.
Narcissism is also a personality trait. Instead of having a full-blown disorder, some people simply have narcissistic tendencies, in that they are self-centered and have a big ego. “Someone who is narcissistic may be selfish in some area of their life but not disordered.
Some bipolar mania symptoms mimic narcissistic traits. True NPD alongside BD is rare. Genetics, brain chemistry, and childhood trauma may all contribute to the development of these disorders. They're diagnosed through mental health evaluations and treated with medications and psychotherapy.
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are part of the same cluster, which includes disorders characterized by heightened emotions and dramatic or unpredictable behaviors.
As Wasterlain explains, “The main differentiator here is that someone with NPD will typically not waver in their grandiose sense of their own importance or achievements and their devaluation of others, while someone with BPD will shift between the extremes of confidence and insecurity at the same time they idolize and ...
However, narcissistic symptoms associated with an external traumatic event may be reflexively and erroneously attributed to PTSD, no matter how small or insignificant the traumatic stressor. Mistaking TANS for PTSD usually results in treatment failure.
Final Thoughts on the Red Flags of a Narcissist
Narcissistic individuals often exhibit traits such as a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and an inflated sense of self-importance. It's essential to understand that dealing with a narcissist can be draining and challenging.
They will often deploy a variety of narcissistic relationship patterns such as manipulation, charismatic, and exploitational tactics in order to ensure that their own needs and wants are met. As a spouse, you may be the subject of their manipulation and abuse, while your partner treats everyone else positively.
The cause is likely complex. Narcissistic personality disorder may be linked to: Environment — parent-child relationships with either too much adoration or too much criticism that don't match the child's actual experiences and achievements. Genetics — inherited characteristics, such as certain personality traits.
The first one, who is outgoing and charming, is considered a grandiose narcissist. The second person, who is insecure but entitled, is a vulnerable narcissist.
The opposite of a narcissist is someone who has a healthy level of self-esteem, empathy for others, and humility. This type of person may be called an empath, altruist, or echoist. Unlike narcissism, echoism isn't a personality disorder.
In order to be classified as a narcopath, malignant narcissist, or narcissistic sociopath, a person has to display several traits of both NPD and ASPD. Some of these signs include delusions, an obsession with power and control, taking advantage of others, and no moral boundaries.
Warning Signs Of An Aging Narcissist
Become more reclusive and only want to spend time with people they feel are worthy of their attention. May lose interest in the people around them altogether. May find that they are no longer able to tolerate the imperfections of others and may lash out in anger or frustration.
Rumour has it that SSRI's (such as Fluoxetine, known as Prozac) might have adverse effects if the primary disorder is NPD. They sometimes lead to the Serotonin syndrome, which includes agitation and exacerbates the rage attacks typical of a narcissist.
Apologize. If you've heard someone say, “Narcissists never apologize,” they're not exactly right. While many traits of narcissism like entitlement, elitism, and arrogance make it unlikely someone with narcissistic traits will go the apology route, apologies are sometimes used with ulterior motives.
Most recent theories have focused on the link between narcissism and negative childhood experiences, such as physical or sexual violence, neglect, or rejection [10,11].
Narcissism tends to emerge as a psychological defence in response to excessive levels of parental criticism, abuse or neglect in early life. Narcissistic personalities tend to be formed by emotional injury as a result of overwhelming shame, loss or deprivation during childhood.