Antidepressants can cause dizziness and unsteadiness, increasing the risk of falls and bone fractures, especially in older people. Interactions with other medications can increase this risk. A very small number of people have had heart problems, epileptic fits or liver damage while taking antidepressants.
Some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. These problems are usually temporary or mild or both.
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.
SSRIs are generally safe for most people. However, in some circumstances they can cause problems.
Most people on antidepressants say they have eventual improvements in symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, and hopelessness. But these drugs don't work right away. It may take 1 to 3 weeks or more before you start to feel better, and even longer before you feel the full benefit.
Conclusions: Our data supports the theory of lower serotonergic activity in patients with depressive disorders and further suggests that high narcissistic personality traits are related to lower serotonergic neurotransmission in patients.
Healthcare providers diagnose NPD when you have at least five of the following characteristics: Overinflated sense of self-importance. Constant thoughts about being more successful, powerful, smart, loved or attractive than others. Feelings of superiority and desire to only associate with high-status people.
Not only is there uncertainty about the benefits of antidepressants, but there is also concern about the possible serious side-effects (inducing suicidal behaviour) of some, possibly all antidepressants, in a sub-group of patients.
Only your doctor can tell you whether you need antidepressants. They will base their decision on years of medical study and experience, and should be able to give you the best possible advice for your mental health.
Talk therapy is often very effective, and it is something you can try out for a few weeks and quit if it isn't right for you. This is not the case with an antidepressant because there are serious side effects that can occur if you suddenly stop taking it.
The grey rock method is where you deliberately act unresponsive or unengaged so that an abusive person will lose interest in you. Abusive people thrive on emotions and drama. When you act indifferent and don't show your emotions, they may lose interest and stop bothering you. This is known as “grey rocking.”
Narcissistic parents are often emotionally abusive to their children, holding them to impossible and constantly changing expectations. Those with narcissistic personality disorder are highly sensitive and defensive. They tend to lack self-awareness and empathy for other people, including their own children.
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.
Rage: Anger, frustration, and rage can create tears in many people, including those with NPD. Criticism: The experience of receiving criticism can be so overwhelming for people with narcissistic personality disorder that many will cry. Fear: When someone with NPD is experiencing fear, it is normal to cry.
On the other extreme, persons with vulnerable narcissism may present with salient features of dysthymia, depression, and anhedonia. However, the grandiosity and need for admiration would be prominent despite the affective symptoms, which would differentiate it from a major depressive disorder.
The researchers found that while many narcissists may perceive themselves as highly intelligent, critical thinkers, they are less likely to use important reflective thinking strategies when solving problems, Therefore, the high levels of confidence they have in their intellectual abilities are often misplaced.
While it is true that low levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin or norepinephrine can play a role in depression for some people, this is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. In fact, the chemical imbalance theory has not been proven as the main cause of depression in over 50 years of research.
Perhaps the fundamental reason why antidepressants are so widely prescribed and used is that they fit with the 'medical model' of mental illness, which has become the standard view in western culture. This model sees depression as a medical condition which can be “fixed” in the same way as a physical injury or illness.