What is the definition of a narcissist with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)?

From the Guidelines

A narcissist with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is someone with a persistent pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy that significantly impairs their functioning or causes distress, as characterized by problems in functioning of aspects of the self and/or interpersonal dysfunction in the ICD-11 classification. According to the ICD-11, personality disorders, including NPD, are characterized by problems in functioning of aspects of the self (eg, identity) and/or interpersonal dysfunction (eg, managing conflict in relationships) 1. People with NPD typically have an inflated sense of self-importance, believe they are special and unique, fantasize about unlimited success or power, require excessive admiration, feel entitled to special treatment, exploit others for personal gain, lack empathy for others' feelings and needs, often envy others or believe others envy them, and display arrogant or haughty behaviors.

Key Characteristics of NPD

• Inflated sense of self-importance
• Need for admiration
• Lack of empathy
• Entitlement to special treatment
• Exploitation of others for personal gain
• Arrogant or haughty behaviors The ICD-11 classification also allows for the specification of maladaptive personality traits, such as negative affectivity, detachment, dissociality, disinhibition, anankastia, and borderline pattern, which may be present in individuals with NPD 1. Treatment typically involves long-term psychotherapy, particularly approaches like psychodynamic therapy or schema therapy, as there are no specific medications approved for NPD itself, though medications may be prescribed for co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety. It's worth noting that the ICD-11 provides a more dimensional approach to personality disorders, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of NPD 1.

From the Research

Definition of a Narcissist with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

• A narcissist with NPD is characterized by a persistent pattern of grandiosity, fantasies of unlimited power or importance, and the need for admiration or special treatment 2.
• Individuals with NPD may exhibit a sense of superiority, uniqueness, exaggeration of talents, boastful and pretentious behavior, grandiose fantasies, self-centered and self-referential behavior, need for attention and admiration, arrogant and haughty behavior, and high achievement 3.
• NPD is also marked by an unrealistic need for admiration, lack of empathy toward others, and feelings of superiority 4.
• Other common characteristics of NPD include:
  • Exaggerated self-importance coupled with an inordinate desire to be admired 5.
  • Ideas of grandiosity and a strong sense of entitlement 5.
  • Absence of empathy and feelings of envy 5.
  • Arrogant behavior, readily feeling injured, and taking advantage of others to achieve their own ends 5.

Key Features of NPD

• Grandiosity and self-importance 2, 3, 5.
• Need for admiration and attention 2, 3, 4.
• Lack of empathy and feelings of entitlement 3, 4, 5.
• Arrogant and haughty behavior 3, 5.
• Self-centered and self-referential behavior 2, 3.
• Insecure, shy, and hypersensitive traits with prominent internalized narcissistic features and functioning 6.
• Internal emotional distress, interpersonal vulnerability, fear, pain, anxiety, a sense of inadequacy, and depressivity can also co-occur with narcissistic personality functioning 6.