What Does Narcissist Mean? Narcissistic Personality Disorder | 2Face Psychology

What Does Narcissist Mean? What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissism is one of the concepts that individuals have heard frequently lately. This word, which is associated with human psychology, is the name given to the individual’s excessive admiration for himself and his psychology that does not take into account the needs and feelings of others. 

Narcissistic individuals generally see themselves as special and superior, and do not care about the mood of the people around them. They constantly expect attention and appreciation for even their smallest actions, forgetting that the people around them are human too.

 These individuals, who belittle others and lack empathy, experience various problems in human relations. If they do not receive psychological support, they may become unwanted people in society over time. The question “What is a narcissist?” can be answered in this way. So, what does narcissist mean?

What Does Narcissist Mean?

Narcissism is the name given to a psychological state of mind associated with increased self-esteem. This disorder, called self-love in Turkish, can be expressed as the individual seeing himself as superior to other people.

Narcissism can be defined as a person being overconfident, thinking that they are better than everyone else in every way, and as a result, encountering a lack of empathy. This situation, which is intertwined with arrogance, causes the individual to see themselves as superior to other people or to act as if they are superior if they feel inferior to other people.

One of the narcissistic characteristics found in people who are addicted to success and power is that they see themselves as the center of the world. These individuals, who think that no matter what happens, everything that happens is about them, can overextend their personalities and exhibit power-dependent behaviors in order to achieve success. 

What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorder is based on a serious psychological disorder. Individuals with this disorder admire themselves. Narcissistic personality disorder can be observed in individuals who believe that the people around them are not as smart and valuable as they are.

Individuals with the relevant psychological disorder isolate themselves from their surroundings and try to show that they are on top. They do not value people enough to communicate with them and constantly expect praise in the bilateral relations they establish. 

These individuals, who do not care about the feelings and thoughts of others, may be positioned differently in society over time due to their narcissistic characteristics. It is extremely important to intervene in this psychological disorder, which damages bilateral relations and causes damage to both friendships and romantic ties.

What are the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

The symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, which is a serious psychological disorder as well as a characteristic feature, may vary from person to person. Narcissistic characteristics have a wide spectrum. Not every individual who shows narcissistic characteristics may have narcissistic personality disorder. 

In order for the condition to be considered a personality disorder, the person must have at least 5 of the criteria defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5. These criteria should be evaluated by a specialist psychologist or specialist psychiatrist.

The characteristics seen in narcissistic men and women can be listed as follows:

Signs of a Narcissistic Man

The first symptom of a narcissistic man is seeing himself as superior in relationships. The symptoms frequently encountered in these people can be exemplified as follows:

● Pride

● Desire to establish superiority

● Expecting attention and appreciation

● Lack of empathy

● Infidelity

● Jealousy

● Manipulation

These are symptoms that are frequently observed in these people. The person does not want anyone to have better conditions than him. Jealousy, which is prominent among the narcissistic male symptoms, can turn into a harmful situation if not intervened.  Beylikdüzü psychological counseling service  offers comprehensive support for the detection and treatment of individuals with this narcissistic personality disorder. If you think you have narcissistic human characteristics, you can request support from 2Face Psychology.

Signs of a Narcissistic Woman

Narcissism is not a condition specific to men or women. This psychological disorder is also frequently observed in women. The symptoms of narcissistic women can be listed in general terms as follows:

● Expecting constant attention

● Feeling of superiority

● Intolerance

● Being closed to criticism

● Manipulation

● Exaggeration

● Jealousy

● Pride

● Don’t give too much importance to appearance

● Infidelity

● Obsession

It is among the characteristics of a narcissistic woman. If you think you have one or more of the characteristics of a narcissistic woman, you can get psychological support to address the situation and reduce its negative effects.

What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Another topic that is researched as much as the question of what is a narcissistic personality is the cause of this psychological disorder. The main reason for this disorder, which is encountered quite frequently today and seen in many people, is explained by experts as traumas experienced in childhood.

Narcissism can be observed in adolescence and adulthood in individuals who were exposed to excessive bragging, unwarranted exaggeration and glorification during childhood. Traumatic experiences, criticism and family ties can also cause narcissistic personality disorder. 

Who Has Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorder usually emerges in young adulthood and is most common in men. The related psychological disorder can be observed in people from all socioeconomic and cultural groups. In individuals who are excessively praised or criticized during childhood, the anxiety of being the ‘best’ can cause psychological problems over time.

Children who have had traumatic experiences or who have been neglected by their parents are also more likely to experience this disorder in their young adulthood. Narcissistic personality traits can also be observed in children who grow up with parents who have psychological disorders.

The genetic structure of individuals also plays an important role in the development of disorders. Narcissism can also be observed in individuals with high status or success-oriented professional groups in society. 

When Does Narcissistic Personality Disorder Occur?

The characteristics of narcissistic people begin to show themselves in early adulthood, but the symptoms can be observed intensely in adolescence. Negativities experienced in childhood contribute to the development of the characteristics of narcissistic men and women.

There are various factors that affect the way individuals perceive themselves and their relationships. Individuals exposed to these factors can reduce the severity of the disorder by getting professional help. 

How Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treated?

Narcissistic personality disorder treatment, like other psychological illnesses, can be eliminated with the support of expert psychologists and psychiatrists in the field. The most effective method in the treatment of personality disorders is psychotherapy. In the psychotherapy process, the individual’s characteristic features are studied. In therapies, they are helped to develop empathy and observe problems. Thus, the process develops on the characteristics of narcissistic people. 

How to Treat a Narcissist Person?

When approaching individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, some points need to be taken into consideration. Being aware that the person has a psychological disorder is the first step. Therefore, it is important to draw boundaries. 

You can draw your own boundaries, and try to approach with empathy, knowing that the individual has a psychological disorder. In the next stage, you can try to communicate openly with the person. By adopting openness in communication, you can create an extremely comfortable space.

What are the Weaknesses of Narcissists?

This intense psychological disorder can harm not only the people around the person but also themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to know the weaknesses of individuals and to approach them carefully. The weaknesses in narcissistic individuals can be explained as follows:

● Fragility

● Passive aggressive

● Manipulation

● Competitiveness

● Inability to handle criticism