psychiatric disorders
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Introduction
Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for adulation, and lack of empathy. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with psychodynamic psychotherapy. (See also Overview of Personality Disorders .) Patients with narcissistic personality disorder have difficulty regulating self-esteem and thus need praise and affiliations with special people or institutions; they also tend to devalue other people so that they can maintain a sense of superiority. A review of 5 epidemiological studies found a median prevalence of 1.6% ( General references ). It is more common among males than females. are common. Patients often also have a Depressive Disorders (eg, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder), 