Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): An Adjustment Issue - Research Paper Example

? of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD An Adjustment Issue Narcissistic PersonalityDisorder (NPD) is one of the common personality disorders that are considered as ingrained issue in individual’s personality. This disorder may prove as a behavioral issue with continuous changing behavioral patterns with the passage of time. A victim of NPD is more likely to become intolerant and inflexible in certain situations where social associations or interactions are observed. A person with NPD is probable to react in an abnormal way within a cultured society of pre-determined behavioral notions. In particular, the victim of NPD will undergo feelings of distress. This paper aims to critically assess the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) by evaluating existing literature that has contributed in setting criterion of adjustment patterns for the purpose of treatment. In order to gain a clear view and insight to the lives of people having NPD, I would interpret my field work where I interviewed an individual who have had the experience of living with a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This will help in getting closer look at the ways which could help adjusting to the issue in general. Finally, I would reflect on the project work and the change in view that I have observed in my own perspective after this exercise. The main symptom of the NPD is an individual’s self-assessment which is superior to others. Individuals with NPD are considered to have over admiration for self. This makes him or her believe that others are not better in any way. Individuals with NPD demand likeness or admiration of people because they grow up with the feeling of being better than others. People with NPD are observed to have poor social relations with other people. It is because they like to seek attention of people. In order to seek attention, these individuals perform actions that might be called as arrogant. NPD victims are also insensitive about the feelings of others because they believe that their self-assessment of everyone else is correct and unchallengeable(Campbell and Miller). According to the Freud’s theory of personality, it becomes evident that a person is born with no basic view of personality. It is rather formed with the passage of time depending upon the cultural environment and experiences. A person who finds self to be defective in any area tries to overcome by creating a self-view. This is rather done in order to get away with the fear of being rejected and left alone. Another great contribution in the field of NPD was made by Otto Kernbery and Heinz Kohut during 1960s. According to these psychoanalysts, narcissism can basically be divided into a structure. In this way, one can easily understand various stages of NPD(Fieldsteel). The first category or stage as marked by them was normal adult narcissism in which a person becomes insensitive about feelings of others and cares about his own ego. Secondly, it is the normal infantile narcissism where one would be self-defensive for which he may undertake certain image building that can be false in real terms and finally pathological narcissism which is a more critical stage NPD as being discussed in this paper(Battan). Similarly, another contribution in the field was made in 1970s where Freud’s idea was considered as a base for diagnosis. Together with the idea of ego and pathological nature of narcissism, it was observed that NPD victims were probable to make false view about their aptitudes by rejecting their fears. In real terms, this disease was marked as a critical personality disorder in 1980s. NPD was officially recognized at that time for settling the criterion of its diagnosis(Nicholas). Other than the aforementioned core features of NPD, one need to understand the fact that NPD can only be diagnosed if such behavioral patterns are grown into an individual’s early adulthood. The behavioral patterns of a person with NPD are not limited to association with family but also with the people at workplace and people of the community in general. It is important for a diagnosis of an individual with NPD that various cases of behavioral impairment are noted during social interactions(Godkin and Allcorn). It will not be incorrect to state that a person with NPD is more likely to be socially weak because he or she does not have the ability of being humble with fellow partners. Also, NPD victim will ignore cooperation in a number of social interactions because of cynicism against the skills and qualities of others. The most critical aspect to be noted in the social interaction patterns of an individual with NPD is his inability to perform genuinely. As noted earlier, a person with NPD will seek attention for which he will undertake actions with may be unethical. In other words, a person with NPD will end up being fake and showing attitude which does not reflect the true inner self of the person(Campbell and Miller). As a matter of fact, NPD is considered as a behavioral disorder which is grouped in the cluster of other severe personality orders including anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder etc. These disorders are much similar to NPD with a slight variation of diagnosis. Individuals with NPD are observed to lack generosity as well which may be one of the social skills that are considered lacking in other personality disorders as well. In many cases, it has been noted that people with NPD are manipulative. It means that they would create false assertions about a fact just to make their point clear and enhanced to get attention and admiration. The most common attribute of a person with NPD is unstable self-image. It should be noted that a person with NPD will ruin many social associations and may have guilt for a short span of time. In order to seek attention, a person is more likely to react in a nice way. However, the fact remains that such a nice image does not work for a very long time for persons with NPD because they are not able to observe better comments and admiration for others. A very interesting dimension in the discussion of NDP is the eating disorder and its association with NDP. It should be noted that people with NDP are more concerned about their body image and weight issues for which they show deflecting ways of food intake. As per the past researches, it was found out that people with NDP are more likely to select food that will reinforce fullness. This means that they will have irregular intervals of food intake. The products that are consumed by these people are merely heavy in carbohydrates such as fast food including pizza with excessive usage of cheese etc. Often they would go opposite to over-eating i.e. taking care of their body image by giving up food. In this way, it can be said that people with NDP will either find themselves fully interested in eating or depriving themselves with quality and healthy food(Beck, Freeman and Davis). In addition, other than eating habits, the social interaction patterns of people with NDP are also problematic. As per the researched cases, it was noted that the communication process (interpersonal process of communication) between a people with NPD with another individual is more likely to be impaired. It is because a person with NPD seeks admiration. Considering the fact that people with NPD are quiet zealous in their act and are able to perform confidently, the fact remains that they would be failing their hard work because of intolerance for absence of appreciative words and behaviors of companions. The events of alienation are more likely to be noted in the life of a person with NPD in a repetitive manner. It is merely because of the poor social performance of such individuals for being insensitive as well as arrogant. In most cases, it has been noted that people with NPD are rude with their remarks about feelings of others. At times, they would even assert that feelings of others are of no importance because they have not standards of being socially effective. Such remarks make it evident that social associations will remain minimal by large. In most cases, it is likely to be noted that these individual would expect pampering. If by any chance, they are not provisioned with catering then they may develop feelings and expression of anger(Rooningstam). There are various stages of this personality disorder in which malignant narcissism remains one of the most critical stages. In this stage, an individual will become habitual of undertaking deceitful actions(McMurran and Howard). This means that he may be manipulate things to an extent that will be against others emotional tolerance. Individuals in this extreme stage of NPD are called as psychopaths who will then require serious medical treatment to ensure stable mental condition. The otherwise condition can be emotional outburst causing people in environment negatively(Fieldsteel). It is significant to understand the viewpoints of a narcissist because it will help in understanding NDP from a subjective perspective. It should be noted that a person with NPD can be intolerable by a person if proper information regarding NDP is lacking. In order to have a closer look at the victims of NDP, I conducted an interview of my neighbor who had an experience of living with a tenant who had a severe condition of NDP. As interrogated regarding the behavior patterns of the tenant with NDP, it was stated by Mrs. Emma Gray, a 43 years old lady, her tenant was extremely judgmental about herself. According to Gray, her tenant changed about three residences in a year because of her inability to socially interact with the landlord and neighbors. She noted that, “when my tenant actually started living with me, I thought that she was just a loner for which she had developed such self-obsessed behavior but with the passage of time, she would talk about her aptitudes that turned out to be fake at different events. For instance, this one time she said that she is the best cook for which she was proposed by men at least three times. One day I insisted her to cook something for me because I was very excited to try her food. It ended up that she could not even make the mash potatoes perfectly. When I told her that I think she needs to revisit about her comments of cooking (sarcastically) she threw the bowl of mash potatoes on the floor and slammed the door on my face. I think it was very insensitive of her to behave in this manner.” The aforementioned dialogue during the interview fairly proves the discussion correct in context that a person would never take negative comments about his or her personality as he or she are self-defensive and self-centered. Herein, it can also be asserted within by employing theory of Freud’s regarding personality i.e. a person may develop idea about his own personality because of lack of rejection. Similar conditions are evident from the case evaluated through interview that the victim of NPD are fearful of rejection for which they keep themselves busy in fantasies of being the best among all in all respect(Post). As per Mrs. Gray’s assertion, one more thing becomes clear that in order to gain entitlement, one would expect admiration without have the aptitude in reality. The tenant of Mrs. Gray tried to pose that she is better and have been involved with people socially as she was proposed by three men for being a good cook. But the fact remains that she was changing her residence over and over leaving a vague self-image. Furthermore, Mrs. Gray explained that, “I was really scared as her tantrums after each manipulative address of our interactions began to increase. I was already worried about the fact that she has been changing her residence over and over for one or another reasons that were not even been mentioned. If you ask me about the impression that such people make then I would fairly noted that I was scared. I wanted to get rid of her because I thought she was a psychopath and she needed mental treatment to fix her fantasies about herself”. Such an impression does not shock the readers because it has already been discussed above that patients with NPD are more likely to have impaired interpersonal communication and poorly conducted social interactions. This rather proves the main aspect of discussion that NPD is a major cause behind poor social skills where a person is supposed to be supportive as a member of any community. Talking about the treatment and adjustment, one of the interesting facts about Mrs. Gray interview was noted when she discussed ways in which she adjusted to the situation. She told me that it is not correct to become rebellious with NDP because this will result in critical circumstances. Thus, a person with NDP should be treated with discussion. The more one may talk to a person with NDP, especially in a group setting, the more they are likely to become less fearful about their defects and weaknesses. It should be noted that treatments other than discussed by Mrs. Gray are yet to be researches in the clinical boundaries because the patterns of behavior vary from person to person making it a very critical area of human psychology to be treated. Group therapy classes have been suggested by a number of therapists for people with NDP. Another most important pointer to be noted here is the treatment being sought by individuals with NDP(Goodman and Leff). Narcissist people are more likely to reject the idea of being treated because they claim themselves to be confident and successful. Therefore, they should not be given am environment where they would feel themselves to be locked. This may reiterate their thinking process that will consequently become critical to handle(Nicholas). Through the above analysis of past researches and contributions as made by psychoanalysts, it comes to understanding that Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) remains one of the most ingrained personality disorders that are yet to be researches for proper treatment. However, the diagnosis criterion was previously marked in late 1800s. Throughout my research, I was able to read some astonishing facts about NDP. I also came across the fact that warmongers are basically people who were suffering from NDP. In order to gain admiration and recognition, these people develop self-assessment where they feel themselves to be superior to others. If people interacting with persons with NDP are aware of the ways in which the individual is more likely to form a negative view about him then they can easily help them revisit their views. This can be a potential treatment that will not just only allow people with NDP with a better understanding of them but also allow them to become socially powerful. Adjusting to the NDP individual’s conversations is, by far, the best way out for treatment. On the surface, it might be shaped as a critical condition of people with NDP to settle. In real terms, gradual communication process can help in overall betterment of individuals with NDP. Works Cited Battan, C. "The "New Narcissism" in 20th-Century America: The Shadow and Substance of Social Change." Journal of Social History 17.2 (1983): 199-220. Beck, A, A Freeman and D. Davis. Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders. Chicago: Guilford Press, 2006. Campbell, W and J. Miller. The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Findings, and Treatments. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Fieldsteel, N. "The Uses of Family Treatment in the Understanding of Narcissistic Personality Disorders." Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society 3.2 (1979): 88-95. Godkin, L and S. Allcorn. "Organizational Resistance to Destructive Narcissistic Behavior." Journal of Business Ethics 104 .4 (2011): 559-570. Goodman, C and B. Leff. The Everything Guide to Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Professional, reassuring advice for coping with the disorder - at work, at home, and in your family. New York: Adams Media, 2011. McMurran, M and R. Howard. Personality, Personality Disorder and Violence: An Evidence Based Approach. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Nicholas, M. "The Narcissistic Personality in Group Psychotherapy." Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society 7.4 (1983): 27-32. Post, J. "Current Concepts of the Narcissistic Personality: Implications for Political Psychology." Political Psychology 14.1 (1993): 99-121. Rooningstam, E. Identifying and Understanding the Narcissistic Personality. 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