Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Etiology involves genetic, neurobiological, and early developmental factors, including childhood experiences that foster maladaptive self-concept. Clinically, patients exhibit inflated self-importance, preoccupation with success or appearance, and difficulty recognizing others’ needs. Diagnosis is clinical, based on DSM-5 or ICD-11 criteria, emphasizing long-standing patterns of behavior that cause interpersonal difficulties. Management primarily involves psychotherapy, particularly psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches, focusing on improving empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal functioning.