- good at first impressions
- emotional instability
- need for admiration
- sense of entitlement
- unstable self view
- ego-syntonic

Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder 

The characteristics and symptoms of NPD can be treated and minimized through the use of specific psychotherapies like DBT as well as practicing mindfulness of one's behaviors and thoughts and how they relate to NPD. However, NPD has no definitively known cause, so it is uncertain if it can permanently go away. NPD does not appear to be something that can be cured, only managed, especially when those with NPD do not always want to change. 

Treatments for NPD

As the name implies, this disorder involves having a grandiose sense of self-importance. In addition to having an egocentric world view, associated symptoms include a hankering for attention, troubled relationships, and lacking empathy for others. However, often, those with this disorder truly have a low and fragile self-esteem, using their narcissism as a coping mechanism. Criticism is not handled well, and most problems are projected to being the faults of others to avoid damage to this ego. 

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- paranoid personality disorder
- schizoid personality disorder
- schizotypal personality disorder
- antisocial personality disorder
- borderline personality disorder
- histrionic personality disorder
- narcissistic personality disorder
- avoidant personality disorder
- dependent personality disorder
- obsessive–compulsive personality disorder
-dissociative identity disorder

Specific Personality Disorders

Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by behaviors that are impulsive, overly dramatic, highly emotional, and erratic. This cluster includes:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder

Personality Disorders Cluster B

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2017, November 18). Narcissistic personality disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662.

Mayo Clinic NPD

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is characterized by an obsessive desire and preoccupation with things being neat and orderly to the point of inflexibility. It is an ego-syntonic disorder.

Some symptoms include: 
- rigid adherence to rules
- perfectionistic attitude
- failure to relinquish responsibility to others
- constant desire for control
- frugality
- hoarding

A disorder is proclaimed when these traits interfere with someone’s ability to function, and simply having some of these traits is insufficient for diagnosis.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Marked by social deficits, social anxiety that does not decrease with familiarity, eccentric behavior, bizarre thinking, and odd speech characteristic of schizophrenia.  Often these individuals are preoccupied with superstitious beliefs about the supernatural. 
Though symptoms are very similar to schizophrenia, and often is confused for this diagnosis, the main difference lies in the presence or duration of psychotic episodes. People with schizotypal personality disorder may have brief, not very intense, and infrequent psychotic episodes, unlike in schizophrenia. Another key difference is that those with SPD can be made aware of their eccentricities, whereas it is very difficult to impossible to sway individuals with schizophrenia away from their delusions. 


Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A disorder marked by consistent avoidance of social interaction, a disinterest in others, and flat emotional affect. Very uncommon, it only affects less than 1% of the population. Though symptoms are similar to schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia, those with schizoid personality disorder have not lost touch with reality (no hallucinations or delusions), and their speech is coherent and rational. Also, these individuals are not anxious about their lack of social contact, unlike in schizotypal personality disorder. 

Schizoid Personality Disorder

As the name implies, this disorder is characterized by paranoia and distrust. It is also characterized by excessive sensitivity to failure, tendency to hold grudges, aggressive sense of complacency, excessive self-restraint, and the belief of conspiracy theories. Individuals with this diagnosis cannot have their cognition explained by delusional disorder or schizophrenia. PPD is not psychosis, as the patient has not lost touch with reality. 

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Characterized by extreme attention-seeking behavior, individuals with this disorder have a distorted self-image that requires the approval of others. Often these individuals will act in bizarre or promiscuous ways to get the attention they crave. Symptoms include excessive concern over personal appearance, discomfort unless the center of attention, easily influenced by others, act rashly, have difficulty maintaining relationships, and self-absorption. 

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Characterized by a dependency on others and anxiety experienced when alone. Individuals with this disorder have an excessive need to be cared for, often seen as clingy and needy, and cannot function without others. An anxious disorder, some of the symptoms include submissive behavior, fearing rejection and abandonment, desiring constant reassurance and contact from others, and having a strong sensitivity to criticism and rejection. 

Dependent Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is primarily defined by a pervasive pattern of instability across interpersonal relationships, self-image, and mood, combined with significant impulsivity. Individuals with this disorder often experience intense emotions and may engage in frantic behaviors to manage their profound fear of abandonment.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Otherwise known as Cluster C personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by extreme shyness, socially inhibited behavior, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of rejection and criticism. To avoid rejection, a pattern of avoidance is displayed, resulting in social isolation. Often, this disorder coincides with social anxiety disorder. Some symptoms include anhedonia (lack of enjoyment in activities), social anxiety, avoiding social situations (like conflict and relationships), feelings of inadequacy, and constant fear of disapproval.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Marked by the consistent lack of regard for the rights of others and social norms. Often, people with this disorder can be deceitful and lacking remorse. Modern diagnoses consider this disorder to be related to psychopathy and sociopathy. To be diagnosed with ASPD, someone must be older than 18. 
- Sociopathy
- Psychopathy

Antisocial Personality Disorder

An individual is described by their family as being 'a rollercoaster.' They have a history of intense, unstable romantic relationships that start passionately but end abruptly. They often make impulsive decisions, such as quitting jobs without a new one lined up or going on large, unplanned spending sprees. Their emotional reactions are often seen as disproportionate to the situation, shifting rapidly from intense joy to deep despair. Based on this pattern of behavior, which category of personality disorders is most indicated?

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