Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is an extensive pattern of distorted regard for self and others. Although it is normal and healthy to take a positive attitude toward oneself, narcissistic persons exhibit an inflated view of self as special and superior. Rather than strong self-confidence, however, narcissism reflects aggrandizing self-preoccupation. The narcissist is very active and competitive in seeking status, as outward signs of status are used as the measure of personal worth. When others fail to validate the special status of the narcissistic person, he or she is apt to view this as intolerable mistreatment and become angry, defensive, and depressed. The failure to be superior or regarded as special ac- tivates underlying beliefs of inferiority, unimportance, or powerlessness and the compensatory strategies of self-protection and self-defense.

Narcissistic individuals take pride in their social standing yet show some startling lacunae in adhering to norms and expectations of social reciprocity. Self-centered and inattentive to the feelings of others, the narcissist can turn a friendly exchange into an irritating display of selfpreoccupation. A deceptively warm demeanor may be marred by arro- gant outbursts, heartless remarks, or insensitive actions. Attention to the needs and feelings of others is lacking, whether in simple matters such as recognizing the contributions of others or in respecting more complex and deeply meaningful emotions. They may begrudge the successes of others and jealously judge or discredit those they view as encroaching competitors. The narcissist can also be masterful in twisting confrontations toward attributing blame and fault to other people.

[...] However, Baumeister notes that “narcissists are no more aggressive than anyone else, as long as no one insults or criticizes them” (p. 101).

Bushman and Baumeister (1998) apply a psychodynamic, motivational theory to discriminate between high self-esteem per se and narcissism, separating emotion from cognition. They note that “high self-esteem means thinking well of oneself, whereas narcissism involves passionately wanting to think well of oneself” (p. 228). They consider narcissism to be a subcategory of high self-esteem where the self-image is inflated and stable, albeit reactive to external ego threats. The specific role of cognition is not elaborated in their formulation.

Although self-esteem and narcissism are correlated, the two traits are not the same. Individuals with high self-esteem are not necessarily narcissistic but rather confident of their personal worth. Their esteem is apt to be based on realistic self-appraisals of demonstrated talents, achievements, and relationships viewed in a context of social norms and opportunities. Corrective feedback does not trigger a dramatic loss of self-esteem. For the patient with NPD, self-esteem is established by outward success, and any experience that challenges this success becomes a threat to self-esteem. He or she remains firmly rooted in the importance of a flawless or powerful image, much the same as Narcissus remained rooted to the spot while admiring his reflection. Without a flawless image, core beliefs of inferiority become activated.

DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration,
and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of
contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate
achievements)
(2) is preoccupied 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 especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
(7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
(8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
(9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

The narcissistic person assumes that certain circumstances or tangible assets provide evidence and validation of superiority, special status, and importance. Thus, this patient believes that “I must succeed in order to prove my superiority.” Such proof might include community influence, income level, physical attractiveness, material trappings such as the “right” car or living in the “right” neighborhood, personal awards, or associations that are exclusive or coveted by others. Not everyone, however, regards these things as markings of a generalized personal superiority. It is a narcissistic assumption to believe that achievements, position, possessions, or public recognition indicate personal value, or lack thereof. Conversely, the narcissist also assumes that “If I’m not successful, then it means I’m not worthwhile.” Thus, self-esteem may plummet if these outward signs are lost, compromised, or unattainable.

Other people are viewed as objects or tools in the quest for distinction, and the narcissistic patient expends a great deal of mental energy comparing him- or herself and judging the worth of others. If others have the potential to advance the narcissist in some way, they will be idealized and pursued. If others are perceived as ordinary or inferior, they will be dismissed, or perhaps exploited for some gain, then discarded. As one narcissistic patient stated, “Very few people are worth my time. The rest bore me.” The value of others rests in how they can serve or admire the narcissistic person. If they fail to treat the narcissist as special, this may be viewed as an indication of others regarding them as inferior, triggering defensive reactions. Narcissistic patients also experience anxiety if they believe someone else is commanding special attention from a person they hold important, and this may create a relationship crisis. Friendships can crack or family relationships become strained and fail simply because other people have legitimate competing interests. For example, a narcissistic man responded to the loss of attention from his partner when their child was born by initiating an affair with someone who provided unremitting admiration.

Misty rated the worth of people on a hierarchy, with looks, celebrity, and competitive victory being the prevailing criteria for superiority. She only wanted to associate with people who were “in style,” or “winners.” She was heavily invested in competing for opportunities to validate her good looks as better than others. She felt quite humiliated by being rejected by a man and perceived this as a terrible loss of status.

Narcissistic individuals can be quite judgmental, opinionated, and forceful in communication, because they believe that superior people have superior judgment. Cognitive processes, however, are characterized by categorical, black-and-white reasoning, striking confirmatory biases, arbitrary inferences, and generalizations to others. The opinions or judgments of others are easily dismissed, no matter what the person’s exper- tise. On the other hand, when the narcissist does seek input, it is typically important that their consultant have some claim to superiority. Interestingly, other “superior” people arbitrarily know what is right, even if the matter at hand is far afield from their expertise (e.g., a social celebrity can give financial advice—without any financial credentials). Out of their vehement certainty of judgment, boundary violations of all sorts may occur, as narcissists are quite comfortable taking control and dictating orders (“I know what’s right for them”) but quite uncomfortable accepting influence from others. Narcissists are puzzled or down- right angry when others do not obsequiously follow their direction. To be challenged or proved wrong can literally undo their sense of personal esteem and worth.

Another conditional assumption of power is the belief of exemption from normal rules and laws, even the laws of science and nature. Risk is viewed as remote, minimal, or easily managed. The patient may dismiss or actively distort evidence indicating risk, even when overwhelming, because of the firm belief in being the “exception.” “I’m special; I can get away with it,” where the “it” may be smoking, drinking, reckless driving, spending, overeating, substance abuse, emotional abuse, even sexual abuse or physical harm. The fallacy of this exception will not be casually accepted. “This can’t be happening to me,” is the refrain when exception fails. When faced with an unremitting loss, perhaps as in a life- threatening illness, the patient with NPD may persist in believing that he or she will not have to cope but will be excepted from the emotional stresses experienced by other, “lesser” individuals. Other normal expectations such as compromising in a marriage may be resisted or resented, based on the belief that “it should be easy for me, and I should not have to make that effort.”

The narcissistic patient also assumes as a condition of power that “other people should satisfy my needs,” and that “no one’s needs should interfere with my own.” Thus, he or she is apt to approach any number of situations feeling automatically entitled to personal gratification. From simple examples such as hogging the best seat, biggest steak, or choice bedroom; dominating entire conversations with personal concerns; commanding excessive portions of a family budget; or relentlessly demanding an outrageous inheritance claim, the assertion of his or her needs seems to lack the constraint of consideration for others. If others fail to satisfy the narcissist’s “needs,” including the need to look good, or be free from inconvenience, then others “deserve to be punished.”

The belief about the importance of appearances will frequently, although not always, extend to those whom the patient views as an exten- sion of him- or herself (e.g., spouse, child): thus the assumption, “My child (spouse) has to make me look good.” Perplexing double binds may arise out of this view for significant others. If they fail to perform in an admirable way (according to the narcissist), they may be ridiculed, punished, or tormented. If they succeed in admirable performance and challenge or surpass the narcissist, they may be ridiculed, punished, or tormented.

Amanda and Lewis arrived at their marital therapy session in a private limousine, courtesy of Amanda’s parents, who always wanted the best for her. Marital tension was focused on Amanda’s growing dissatisfaction with Lewis, and his “unwillingness” to please her. It seems that at 42, his hair was thinning and receding, and he was getting a bit flabby in the middle, although as a sports professional, he remained physically well toned. Slim Amanda proudly pointed out that at size 1, she was the same size as she had been at age 16. Lewis’s unwillingness to please her involved his reluctance to undergo hair implants which, she reasoned, would ensure that he retained some hair as the natural process of thinning progressed. “I just can’t be married to a flabby, bald guy,” she complained. “It would make me look bad.”

When failed expectations or dreams are the presenting problem, it may be that ruminative comparisons, minimization of the necessity of effort, and contempt or dismissal of partial results stem from similar rigid expectations for superlative achievement. Further, the NPD patient may be minimizing or denying some exploitive or aggressive actions that have impaired their advancement.

Scott, an investment broker terminated from his third firm, complained that “this shouldn’t be happening to me.” He ruminated con- stantly about the success he “deserved,” and angrily compared himself to former classmates now in business, noting that “their successes just grind at me.” He expected to be earning “at least” a $1 million salary, and he did not see that the complaints about his sexual harassment of employees should have anything to do with his lost positions. Scott accepted the idea that it probably was not in his best interest to constantly measure his potential against the past successes of others. More grudgingly, he explored the viability of expecting a $1 million contract with a “prestige” firm despite repeated (and well-substantiated) claims of sexual harassment and other unprofessional conduct. Most difficult but crucial was exploration of the meaning of his expected success and modifying the beliefs about the worthlessness of alternative goals.