Personality is the individual’s unique behavior and thinking pattern, the main distinctive features. It can be examined as individuality and uniqueness, as is the case of observing the personality with the differences within the society. While it may be possible for the same feelings, thoughts and attitudes to emerge in the face of different events and situations, different feelings, thoughts, and attitudes can be seen against these situations with different personality types and characteristics. While it cannot be perceived by the self-learning method that people use when analyzing other individuals, it can sometimes be easy to be perceived as having common feelings, thoughts and attitudes.
In order for dissimilar features to be examined under the name of personality disorder, these features must cause the individual to break away from his daily life, undesired loneliness (person’s social adaptation problem), deterioration of functionality. In the face of these situations, the individual should be examined under personality disorder subgroups and with appropriate diagnosis and treatment, the individual should be provided with a healthy attitude, behavior, emotion and thought model.
Incompatible behaviors, thoughts and feelings cannot be examined under personality disorder without a comprehensive examination. These features are ego-syntonic. That is, they are integrated with the self. With these features, if the individual has a personality disorder, he may try to change the environment instead of changing the self.
Personality disorders in DSM-V diagnostic criteria are manifested by disorders in two or more of the 4 criteria. These criteria are;
- Cognition (ways of perceiving and interpreting oneself, other people, and phenomena)
- Affect (range, intensity, variability, and relevance of emotional responses)
- interpersonal functionality
- Impulse Control
As a result of the deterioration in these criteria, the individual may develop a personality disorder in order to protect himself and to tolerate stress, together with the use of defense mechanisms.
In this article, we will discuss the narcissistic personality disorder, which is in the B cluster of personality disorders. Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be defined as overestimating the self and being overly concerned with issues related to self-esteem. In general, these individuals think that they are special and different from other individuals. Of course, each individual is different and special, but the individual with narcissistic personality disorder may use the leading behavior of “exaggerating the importance” under the established idea of ”my specialty”. While the individual may have an angry attitude towards criticism or defeat, depression may also occur.
Although they appear to be self-confident, self-loving individuals on the outside, their self-esteem is fragile. Since they do not have a tendency to empathize, their attitude towards other individuals can be harsh, manipulative, and aggressive. They may be overly concerned with their appearance, and they expect to be admired in these situations.
A common pattern of grandiosity (in phantasies or behaviors), need for admiration, lack of empathy, beginning in early adulthood and manifesting in various contexts, as indicated by the following five in the Dsm-5 diagnostic criteria;
1. He gets bigger. (Exaggerates his achievements and abilities, expects to be seen as superior.)
2. He is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, intelligence, beauty, or a lofty love.
3. He/she believes that he/she is special and unique and can only be understood by special or superior people (or institutions) and that he/she should only relate to them.
4. He wants to be liked a lot.
5. He has the feeling that he deserves it.
6. He uses others for his own benefit.
7. Cannot empathize.
8. Often envious of others or believes their heads are envious of him.
9. Treats others with disrespect, displays smug behavior or attitudes.
Narcissists appear to be overly self-centered and unyielding, far from being humble. They see themselves as superior people, as “very special” individuals with extraordinary rights and privileges. They also despise and belittle anyone who does not respect them.
There is no limit to the narcissists’ fantasies or rationalizations. They become immersed in using their imaginations, regardless of reality and the opinions of others. Among the settled thoughts of individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, there may be thoughts such as the rules applied to others do not bind me, it is very important to be recognized, praised, admired, those who do not respect my position should be punished, other people should meet my needs.
The most dominant diagnostic features may seem to be the feeling of superiority, the need to be liked, and the persistence of a pattern of inability to empathize. Individuals who need to be diagnosed and start treatment after this situation can apply to therapists who can get psychological support thanks to the wishes of the people around them or their own insights. This psychotherapy process, which is challenging for a narcissistic individual, is important for the individual’s continuity and acceptance to therapy.
