Narcissistic Personality Disorder DSM
Contents
One term you may have heard come up in studying this disorder is Narcissistic Personality Disorder DSM. But what does this ‘DSM’ mean?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder DSM is short for the definition, causes, and treatment of the disorder, as it is explained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. Known as DSM-IV for short, this is the Bible of mental disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. You can be assured that what you read in the DSM-IV is the inside information that your doctor or psychiatrist will be giving you.
You can go to the source and look at the DSM-IV for yourself. The book is not just for those in the US – many other countries refer to it also. With every mental health issue covered, it will give you the basics such as stats, what is thought to lead to the onset of such conditions, as well as the up-to-date opinion of what the best treatments are. If you wish to check on what your doctor (or even this site) says is accurate, refer to the Narcissistic Personality Disorder DSM file. It is where we get much of our information.
If you are referring to it yourself, the exact index number for this disorder is DSM–IV-TR = 301.81 and is on p. 717.
The DSM-IV identifies the factors that we outline in other sections, including the correct diagnosis, treatment, and symptoms of the disorder. For instance, it recognizes that NPD sufferers can display things like:
- an exaggerated sense of self-importance
- tends to exaggerate achievements and talents
- Thinks that they deserve recognition, even without doing anything to expect such recognition
You can read about all of these features in the DSM throughout this guide, or else purchase the book yourself here. However, for the general readers dealing with NPD, we recommend more accessible books to find assistance.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Diagnosis
A proper narcissistic personality disorder diagnosis can be hard to complete satisfactorily, as patients have been known to be unhelpful in a clinical setting and may wish to hide some of their symptoms and beliefs. There are, however, several key symptoms that are indicated in Narcissistic Personality Disorder DSM, a number of these found in a partner, friend, co-worker, or indeed in your own responses could be seen as key indicators.
- An ongoing sense of ‘grandiosity’, in any sense
- A requirement for being admired by others. Tasks or events are not seen as worthy without this factor
- An absence of sympathy or empathy in the feelings or struggles of others
- A high sense of self-importance.
- Tends to make out that what they have reached or are possible of is somehow greater than in reality – a sense of exaggeration in terms of status.
- Needs to be recognized as a highly important person, particularly if this does not rest on objective evidence.
- Can daydream or make believe an imagined reality where he or she is much more attractive, loved, high achieving, or important than one really is.
- Only connecting with the best and the brightest, as if these organizations or individuals are the only people who can match their inner worth, or make it worthwhile.
- Can be incapable of seeing their own errors – honest and sincere self-avowal and self-delusion. A narcissistic person will often honestly have no knowledge of doing any bad deeds. This is because their self-image is inherently ‘good’ – if told they have acted obviously “beyond the pale”, the other individual simply must be mistaken.
- Expects to have special treatment or instant obeyance to instructions given.
- Needs to be told is great, or what they do is appreciated, to an unusual degree.
- Can be arrogant to others, or ‘snobbish’.
- Can manipulate others to get to where they wish to be.
- Jealous of others, sometimes has an abnormal belief that others are jealous or conspiring against oneself.
To better diagnose an NPD sufferer, and to know how to survive and even thrive with such a person, we recommend the following self-help books.
Helpful NPD Books
Most Popular
Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving & Thriving With the Self-Absorbed, by Wendy T. Behary
Wendy Behary’s book is the classic text recommended to family members, friends, and coworkers of Narcissists. Clear, sensible, and full of practical advice, this is the book we give out in our own workshops. Every person suffering from a relationship with a Narcissist should have a copy of this book at hand to help them deal with the situation.
Remember how formidable the Wizard of Oz seemed to Dorothy and the other members of Oz? He seemed to control everything and everyone in their topsy-turvy lives. It seems the Wizard was a classic Narcissistic type – obsessed with seeming important and in control. With the secrets of this book you too, like Dorothy, will be able to understand the simple steps that can turn your relationship with your Wizard into something much more like with a normal human being. Highly recommended.
Narcissistic Parents and Other Family Members
The following titles are recommended for the children of a narcissist, or perhaps a son or daughter-in-law or other relationship.
You Might Be a Narcissist If… – How to Identify Narcissism in Ourselves and Others and What We Can Do About It
by Paul Meier, Cynthia Munz, and Lisa Charlebois. A good general text, that helps you diagnose, and deal with, malignant narcissists close to you.
Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-up’s Guide to Getting over Narcissistic Parents.
by Nina W. Brown. The most recommended text for children of NPD sufferers.
Identifying and Understanding the Narcissistic Personality
by Elsa F. Ronningstam. Another good general guide.
Narcissistic Relationships
Many people in destructive romantic relationships with an NPD sufferer have found these books helpful. With the right attitude it is possible to protect yourself, and perhaps even thrive, in such a situation.
Freeing Yourself from the Narcissist in Your Life
by Linda Martinez-Lewi. Practical and at times funny, this book is a ‘get out of jail card for many.
Help! I’m in Love with a Narcissist
by Steven Carter. Sometimes the very things that are horrifying about an NPD sufferer are what we find attractive in others in the first place. This book will help you gain more of the second, and less of the first.
The Narcissistic/Borderline Couple: New Approaches to Marital Therapy
by Joan Lachkar. Narcissism exists on a spectrum, and your partner (or you) may well have some symptoms, at some times. This book helps temper such tendencies that can arise in any relationship.
Narcissistic Lovers: How to Cope, Recover and Move On
by Cynthia Zayn and M.S. Kevin Dibble
Narcissism Diagnosis and Treatment
These are other books that may help you in understanding, and find your own personal way to happily deal with the narcissistic individual in your life.
by James F. Masterson, MD. This is the book our own psychologists use.
Narcissism: Denial of the True Self
by Alexander Lowen. This helps puts narcissism in perspective: as an exaggerated expression of more normal desires and tendencies.
The Object of My Affection Is in My Reflection: Coping with Narcissists
by Rokelle Lerner. A very practical book, it is available as a paperback or on the Kindle – help wherever you are.