Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD is an extremely common mental health problem in today's society. Like most mental disorders, there is no known cause. It is most likely a combination of genetic, early life experiences and possibly psychological factors. Early life risk factors include: over-exposing children to abuse, early abuse, living under extreme emotional stress, living with an unhappy partner, living in an unhealthy environment and experiencing depression and other emotional problems.
The definition of NPD is the inability to accept responsibility, a grandiose sense of self, and being egocentric
It has been called a 'love addiction' as it has been reported that a number of people with NPD have actually turned to drugs and/or alcohol to deal with feelings of shame and guilt. In fact, people with NPD may actually believe that they are not good enough, are incompetent or are simply incapable of succeeding in any endeavor. They see themselves as having a distinct role or position and are convinced that others will view them as this way.
As I said earlier, no definite cause of NPD has ever been found. However, there are a number of commonalities in the symptoms of this disorder among people who have it. The main symptoms of NPD include a grandiose sense of self-esteem, constant need for approval, unrealistic expectations of success, constant blame, constant denial of their own weaknesses, extreme egocentricity, having a distorted view of their own importance and worth, poor relationships with family and friends, having a deep need for admiration and a willingness to sacrifice. These symptoms are quite often present in people who have a poor relationship with their parents.
If you suspect your child may be suffering from NPD, don't hesitate to seek professional advice. In fact, it may be a sign that your child is suffering from a more serious mental health disorder such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. If your child is experiencing any of these or similar symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
If your child exhibits one or more of the following symptoms of NPD, you should talk to a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist about the possibility of NPD. First, your child may be overly self-absorbed and may be excessively interested in their appearance and lifestyle. Often, your child may have unrealistic expectations of how they can improve their physical appearance or self-esteem. These are usually unrealistic demands based on their own perceptions of their appearance. This behavior can also become very problematic in relationships.
Your child may also show signs of NPD by behaving inappropriately
They may be extremely rude, arrogant and domineering at times, exhibit aggressive behavior, argue frequently, and seem to be very self-centered. Your child may also exhibit an inability to take criticism or to recognize their own mistakes. This behavior could include being very immature with children, friends, work colleagues, or superiors. Other warning signs include being moody, becoming jealous of others and being critical of others in front of others and/or with family.
Children with NPD may be extremely impulsive and manipulative, and will have unrealistic expectations of relationships with adults. Often they can be extremely difficult to get along with, and may be manipulative when dealing with children and peers. They are also often obsessed with one or two issues and find it hard to admit their own faults.
A child with NPD may also be overly concerned with money. They may have unrealistic expectations of the amount of money they want from you, and may constantly be asking for money. Your child may also have an inflated idea of their own importance and believe that they are more important than others, which leads to arguments. It's also possible that they may feel that they do not deserve any attention from you and that their parents and other people do not care about them. The last thing that you want to see is a child who is self-absorbed, arrogant and manipulative, and who appears to have little regard for others.