Compassion For the Narcissist? - By A.J. Mahari © March 1, 2007


Dramatic Personality Disorders: Borderline, Histrionic, Antisocial, and Narcissistic

Individuals with these disorders have intense, unstable emotions, distorted self-perception, and/or behavioral impulsiveness.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder


Individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often have a grandiose view of themselves, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy that begins by early adulthood and is present in various situations. These individuals are very demanding in their relationships. This pattern is indicated by five (or more) of the following (from DSM IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994):



    1.has an inflated sense of self-importance (e.g., 
      exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to 
      be recognized as superior without corresponding 
      achievements)
2.is overly concerned with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3.believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4.requires excessive admiration
5.has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of very positive treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
6.takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
7.lacks empathy: is unwilling to identify with the feelings and needs of others
8.is often jealous of others or believes that others are jealous of him or her
9.shows arrogant or domineering behaviors or attitudes

  • Avoidant Personality
  • Personality Disorders Main Page

  • More On Narcissism



    This page is © 2007-2009 A.J. Mahari & was last up-dated November 24, 2009