Diagnostic Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder

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The cause is unknown. Personality Disorders are long-term behavioral patterns that cause problems in an individual's work and interpersonal relationships. Narcissistic Personality Disorder generally manifests itself in early adulthood and is marked by a disregard for the feelings of others, affectation, obsessive interest in oneself, and the pursuit of largely egotistical goals.

Diagnostic criteria for the narcissistic personality:

1- Has a grand sense of self-importance (for example, he or she exaggerates their abilities, and expect to be recognized as superior without corresponding achievements)

2 - Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or idealized loved.

3- Believes his or herself to be special and unique and that they can only be understood by, or can associate with, other high-status individuals.

4 - Requires excessive admiration.

5 - Is very pretentious (for example, has unreasonable expectations of receiving special treatment or of their expectations being complied with automatically).

6 - Takes advantage of others to achieve their own ends.

7 - Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

8- Is frequently envious others or believes that others are envious of them.

9- Exhibits attitudes or behaviors that are pompous and arrogant.

By Carlos Cabezas López

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