Dear Annie8,
The Narcissistic Personality Disorder is never treated with drugs, let
alone the drugs you mentioned. Medication may be used to ameliorate
certain behaviors, such as obsessive thoughts, compulsive acts and
certain moods, such as depression. But the core problem of
pathological narcissism is not amenable to psychopharmacological
treatment.
Read more here:
http://samvak.tripod.com/faq77.html
http://samvak.tripod.com/faq63.html
All of us have narcissistic TRAITS. Some of us even develop a
narcissistic PERSONALITY. Moreover, narcissism is a SPECTRUM of
behaviours - from the healthy to the utterly pathological (known as
the Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD).
The DSM IV-R defines NPD thus:
"An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour),
need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually
beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts."
So, what matters is that these characteristics, often found in healthy
people, appear:
1. Jointly and not separately or intermittently
2. They are all-pervasive (invade, penetrate, and mould every aspect,
nook, and cranny of the personality)
3. That grandiose fantasies are abundantly discernible
4. That grandiose (often ridiculous) behaviours are present
5. That there is an over-riding need for admiration and adulation
("narcissistic supply")
6. That the person lacks empathy (regards other people as two
dimensional cartoon figures and abstractions, unable to "stand in
their shoes")
7. That all these phenomena began, at the latest, in early adolescence
8. That the narcissistic behaviours pervade all the social and
emotional interactions of the narcissist.
Here are the DSM-IV-R criteria of the Narcissistic Personality
Disorder.
Having 5 of these 9 "qualifies" you as a narcissist...
Feels grandiose and self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements
and talents to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as
superior without commensurate achievements)
Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power
or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist),
bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or
ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion
Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only
be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other
special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions)
Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation -
or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious
(narcissistic supply).
Feels entitled. Expects unreasonable or special and favourable
priority treatment. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or
her expectations
Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or
her own ends
Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with or
acknowledge the feelings and needs of others
Constantly envious of others or believes that they feel the same about
him or her
Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes coupled with rage when
frustrated, contradicted, or confronted.
The language in the criteria above is based on or summarized from:
American Psychiatric Association. (2001). Diagnostic and statistical
manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV-R). Washington, DC:
American Psychiatric Association.
Sam Vaknin. (1999, 2001). Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited,
second, revised printing Prague and Skopje: Narcissus Publication.
("Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited"
http://samvak.tripod.com)
Here are some resources regarding this condition. I hope you find them
useful:
Open Directory - Narcissistic Personality Disorder
http://dmoz.org/Health/Mental_Health/Disorders/Personality/Narcissistic
Links to Therapist Directories, Psychological Tests, NPD Resources,
Support Groups, and Tutorials:
http://www.suite101.com/links.cfm/npd
Pathological Narcissism FAQs
http://samvak.tripod.com/faq1.html
Dozens of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Pathological
Narcissism,
relationships with abusive narcissists, and the Narcissistic
Personality
Disorder.
Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited
http://samvak.tripod.com/msla.html
A book-length psychodynamic study of pathological narcissism,
relationships with abusive narcissists, and the Narcissistic
Personality
Disorder, using a new vocabulary.
http://samvak.tripod.com/archive01.html
Excerpts from the Archives of the Narcissism Revisited Study List
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/narcissisticabuse/messages/
The full archives of the Narcissistic Abuse Study List
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Suite101 site
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/npd
Discussions, journal entries and links regarding the Narcissistic
Personality Disorder and relationships with abusive narcissists.
HealthyPlace Narcissistic Personality Disorder Community
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/personality_disorders/narcissism/index.html
Narcisssistic PD and abuse by narcissists - FAQs, essays, links, and
book excerpts.
Ask Sam Vaknin - Narcissistic Personality Disorder
http://samvak.tripod.com/indexqa.htm
Q&A regarding the Narcissistic Personality Disorder and relationships
with abusive narcissists
CHATS AND TRANSCRIPTS
Read the transcript of the CHAT with Sam Vaknin in HealthyPlace HERE:
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Personality_Disorders/Site/Transcripts/narcissism.html
Read the transcript of the CHAT with Sam Vaknin regarding abusive
narcissists HERE:
http://healthyplace.com/communities/personality_disorders/site/Transcripts/abusive_narcissists.htm
Radio Show regarding Relationships with Abusive Narcissists
http://www.healthyplace.com/Radio/archives/audio_narcissism_02-10-12.htm
Read the transcript of the WebMD CHAT with Sam Vaknin HERE:
http://my.webmd.com/content/asset/chat_transcript.522878
Read an extended INTERVIEW with Sam Vaknin in Natterbox - HERE:
http://www.natterbox.com/vaknin/vaknin1.html
Listen to an AUDIO INTERVIEW with Sam Vaknin - HERE:
http://www.ladybuglive.com/acl.htm
INTRODUCTION TO PATHOLOGICAL NARCISSISM
A Primer on Narcissism:
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php/type/doc/id/419
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Webliography:
http://www.suite101.com/files/topics/6514/files/NPDWebliography.zip
Toddlertime Narcissism Pages
http://www.toddlertime.com/narcissist_personality_disorder_.htm
Dual Diagnosis (Substance Abuse) and Narcissism
http://www.toad.net/~arcturus/dd/narc.htm
Mental Health Matters - Narcissistic Personality Disorder
http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/sv001.php?artID=75
Mental Health Net - Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
http://mentalhelp.net/disorders/sx36.htm
Mental Health Net - Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatment
http://mentalhelp.net/disorders/sx36t.htm
NarcissisticAbuse Study List
http://samvak.tripod.com/narclist.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/narcissisticabuse/
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) by: Joanna Ashmun
http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Diagnosis
http://www.mentalhealth.com/dx/fdx-pe07.html
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Discussion and Support Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Narcissistic_Personality_Disorder/
N-Courage Health Network
http://www.n-courage.net/
PTypes Personality Disorders - Narcissistic
http://www.geocities.com/ptypes/narcissisticpd.html
The Serial Bully
http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/bully/serial.htm
Narcissistic Abuse
http://www.narcissisticabuse.com
Mental Health Today Narcissism
http://www.mental-health-today.com/narcissistic/
Hope this helps!
samvak |