The condition leads the patient to have insensitive, manipulative and arrogant behavior towards others
Narcissism is a term that has become popular on the Internet in recent years, often used to designate extremely vain people who like to show off on social media. Despite this, this behavior is well known in several fields of psychology, having been studied by specialists since the beginning of the 20th century, when Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, wrote an essay entitled “On narcissism: an introduction”, in which addresses the question of the ego for the first time.
According to Marina Balieiro, psychologist at the Edmundo Vasconcelos Hospital, narcissism is linked to people’s high self-esteem, which is generally necessary for well-being, as long as it is not exaggerated. “This psychic condition causes the individual to have a standard of grandiosity and, consequently, believe that he is superior to other people,” she explains.
According to her, these types of people need attention and need others to always flatter them, acknowledging everything they do. “He therefore suffers from a lack of empathy towards others, because he feels superior and sometimes overestimates the things he has or achieves. This can also cause some problems in relationships,” says the professional.
Causes of narcissism
The causes of narcissism are not yet exact. Still, psychological research they try to understand the factors that develop the problem, which can be multifactorial. “The first factor is linked to genetics, which influences the development of the disease, and the second to the environment. Together they shape the human being”, explains Marina Balieiro.
According to her, these are factors that end up being considered the “cause” of narcissism. “The condition also often occurs in people who have suffered abuse or who have had complicated relationships with family members or people close to them when they were younger,” adds the psychologist.
Identification of the condition
The symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder vary depending on the patient and the intensity of the case. However, the most frequent signs are a lack of empathy and grandiosity. According to the psychologist, lack of empathy occurs when an individual is unable to understand the needs and feelings of others.
“In terms of greatness, he always exaggerates what he has achieved, even when they are minor things, and tries to be recognized or recognized. Furthermore, he tends to seek privileged and better treatment, which often ends up making him an envious person and arrogant,” says Marina Balieiro.
Types of narcissists
Because not all narcissists exhibit the same type of behavior, studies seek to understand certain patterns. Research conducted by New York University identified two types of narcissism: grandiose and vulnerable.
“The great is extroverted, arrogant and with self-esteem very high. Vulnerable people, on the contrary, are insecure, shy, with low self-esteem, anxious and sensitive to criticism, because they constantly compare themselves. In this case, the patient ends up being more depressed and with other disorders involved, such as anxiety, anorexia and even substance use”, says the psychologist.
Diagnosis of the disorder
According to Marina Balieiro, it is not always easy to diagnose narcissism in a patient, since the symptoms must be persistent. “To identify it, there are some tests that are carried out and completed by the psychiatrist. Within each context, we need to see what symptoms the individual presents and the severity of the condition,” she explains.
However, according to the psychologist, the difficulty in making the diagnosis lies in differentiating narcissistic personality disorder from other disorders. Therefore, he explains that it is important that the doctor checks all the contexts of the patient’s life during the visit, including how he relates to his family and parents.
Treatments for narcissism
Generally, people suffering from narcissistic personality disorder take a long time to seek professional help or, in many cases, seek help due to other co-occurring causes, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and destructive thoughts, which can lead to identification of the problem. .
“After diagnosis, patients undergo psychotherapy and, in some cases, use drugs to control concomitant symptoms and not due to the disease I disturb. So, if you suffer from narcissistic personality disorder and depression, you will treat the depression, and the same in case of combination with anxiety and other disorders”, explains the professional.
Complications of the disorder
If the disorder is not treated, both the patient and the people around him may experience some complications. In the case of narcissists, Mariana Balieiro lists:
- Problems at work or school;
- Unstable relationships;
- Depression;
- Arrogance;
- Substance use;
- Suicidal thoughts.
For the family and other people living with the patient, the problem can affect them in different ways. “Relationships with narcissistic people are very difficult and toxic, in which they often do not demonstrate their weaknesses and insecurities, but only the best. This ends up suffocating the other, and it is very complicated to deal with it,” he explains.
Therefore, it is important to try to help the person, as well as save yourself. “So it is very important that people close to you try to distance themselves a little and always show the importance of treatment. In these cases, the most important thing is not to let yourself be manipulated, especially when conquering,” he recommends.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
