Narcissistic Personality Disorder
As my therapist put it "SHANNON, you now KNOW the symptoms of an N personality. Next time, RUUUUUUUNNNNNN or I'm charging you double if I have to get you through this again!" =)
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance (YEP!) and a deep need for admiration (YEP!). Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they're superior to others and have little regard for other people's feelings (YEP!). But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
Narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are conditions in which people have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways, limiting their ability to function in relationships (OH YEAH!) and in other areas of their life, such as work (BIG YEP!) or school.
Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by dramatic, emotional behavior, in the same category as antisocial and borderline personality disorders.
Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms may include:
Believing that you're better than others (CHECK)
Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness (LOL CHECK)
Exaggerating your achievements or talents (BIG CHECK!)
Expecting constant praise and admiration (CHECKERS!)
Believing that you're special and acting accordingly (OOMMGG CHECK CHECK CHECK)
Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings (CHECK)
Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans (CHECK!)
Taking advantage of others (CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK AND CHECK!)
Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior (CHECK!)
Being jealous of others (WOULDN'T ADMIT IT IF HE WAS, THAT WOULD MAKE HIM LOOK BAD)
Believing that others are jealous of you (HAHAHAHA! CHECK!)
Trouble keeping healthy relationships (UH YA THINK? CHECK!)
Setting unrealistic goals (GOALS?)
Being easily hurt and rejected (AN N PERSONALITY WOULD NEVER ADMIT THAT)
Having a fragile self-esteem (SEE ABOVE)
Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional (CHECK!)
Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence or strong self-esteem, it's not the same. Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence and self-esteem into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal (YEP! CHECK!). In contrast, people who have healthy confidence and self-esteem don't value themselves more than they value others.
When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious (YEP, YEP AND YEP). You often monopolize conversations GAH! YES!). You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior (YEP!). You may have a sense of entitlement. And when you don't receive the special treatment to which you feel entitled, you may become very impatient or angry (AND BEAT UP YOUR DOG AND PUNCH WALLS!). You may insist on having "the best" of everything — the best car, athletic club, medical care or social circles, for instance. (I WILL ONLY EAT NAME BRAND FOOD, CONDIMENTS, ETC. WASH MY CLOTHES WITH THE TIDE I STOLE FROM TARGET, ONLY THE BEST FOR ME! CHECK!)
But underneath all this behavior often lies a fragile self-esteem. You have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism (OH DEAR GOD, CHECK!). You may have a sense of secret shame and humiliation. And in order to make yourself feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and efforts to belittle the other person to make yourself appear better (THE MAYO CLINIC HAS BEEN FOLLOWING ME FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS =( CHECK!).
When to see a doctor
When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may not want to think that anything could be wrong — doing so wouldn't fit with your self-image of power and perfection (LOL, SO TRUE). But by definition, narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of your life, such as relationships (UH HUH), work (UH HUH), school or your financial affairs (YEP!). You may be generally unhappy and confused by a mix of seemingly contradictory emotions. Others may not enjoy being around you (HAHAHAHA HINT HINT, ERIC, APRIL, ERICKA, MEEEE, ANGI, RACHELLE, ALL THE PPL FROM YOUR PAST THAT "DID YOU WRONG", THEY JUST COULDN'T STAND TO BE AROUND YOU ANYMORE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF YOU IS TO DO YOU WRONG!), and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.
If you notice any of these problems in your life, consider reaching out to a trusted health care provider or mental health provider (YES PLEASE). Getting the right treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable.
Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
It's not known what causes narcissistic personality disorder. As with other mental disorders, the cause is likely complex. Some evidence links the cause to a dysfunctional childhood, such as excessive pampering (THANKS SANDI FOR PRODUCING SUCH A MONSTER! KUDOS!), extremely high expectations, abuse or neglect. Other evidence points to genetics or psychobiology — the connection between the brain and behavior and thinking (HE'S JUST CRAZY, LIKE HIS DAD...).
From Me:
And no, I'm not bitter, I was actually LMAO as I added my little comments. Unless you have been in an N relationship, you have NO clue how WONDERFUL it feels to be free of the web they trap you in. Once you fight your way through the fog and see reality, real reality, not the reality the N personality forced you to accept, days are brighter, you find yourself whistling or humming unexpectedly, your anxiety dissolves, you see there is a bright, beautiful life out there for you to live, the darkness has lifted and you are able to hope and dream again, knowing the exN in your life can't bring you down anymore, can't shatter your dreams, can't lie to you ever again, can't break promises, can't make you feel worthless and then build you back up so that you come to rely on him totally to make you happy. N personalities are cunning, distructive, con artists. Be careful out there people! As my therapist said "If he/she seems to good to be true (seems perfect), he/she IS to good to be true!" RUN! FAR AND FAST! N's are very rehearsed in their dialect to draw victims in, always trust your gut, not your heart <3
shacri
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
