Those who have extremely high levels of narcissism (NPD) have a fundamental and enduring distorted self-concept and are unable to relate to the world around them in a healthy way. This leads to the significant emotional and behavioral impairment that characterizes NPD.

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Narcissism is part of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), but not every narcissist has NPD
- Narcissism
- NPD

Narcissism vs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Miller, J. D., Back, M. D., & Lynam, D. R. (2021). Corrigendum: Narcissism Today: What We Know and What We Need to Learn. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 30(6), 519–525. https://doi.org/10.1177/09637214221086630

Narcissism Today: What We Know and What We Need to Learn

Low and moderate levels of narcissism can occur in people’s personalities to varying degrees throughout their lives or at certain points (EX: children or people who are successful professionally/financially), but it doesn’t hinder normal everyday emotional functioning. These types of narcissists are still able to recognize other people’s worth, experience empathy, and create meaningful bonds with others.


Narcissism (Low/Moderate Level Narcissism)

NPD (High Level Narcissism)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (often abbreviated as NPD) is a personality disorder characterized by extreme grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder display several or more of the following characteristics in ways that hinder social and workplace functioning: 

- Grandiose sense of self-importance, such as exaggerating talents and achievements 
- Preoccupation with unrealistic fantasies of success 
- Unwilling to associate with those they consider to be less important than they are 
- Sense of entitlement 
- Lack of empathy for others 
- Envy of others or belief that others are envious of them 

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