Psychology Facts

▲ Narcissist, Sociopaths, Psychopaths ▲

》Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism.

》Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and how severe they are can vary. People with the disorder can:

Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration.

Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment.

Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.

Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are.

Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.

Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people.

Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important.

Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them.

Take advantage of others to get what they want.

Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.

Be envious of others and believe others envy them.

Behave in an arrogant way, brag a lot and come across as conceited.

Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office.

》Different types of narcissist:

Malignant narcissism. Malignant narcissism can be a more destructive form of the personality disorder. In addition to the typical signs of narcissism, a malignant narcissist might be aggressive, paranoid, or sadistic—taking joy in other people's pain. They tend to display antisocial behavior, disregarding the rights or safety of others.

Adaptive narcissism is when a person with this disorder leans into positive traits—such as self-sufficiency and confidence—that can actually be healthy. They may help someone set high ambitions at work, for example, or enjoy satisfying relationships without being overdependent on a partner.

Maladaptive narcissism, on the other hand, is characterized by the toxic traits, such as a sense of entitlement and willingness to exploit others.

Covert or vulnerable narcissism. It's common to imagine all narcissists as dominant and overwhelming in social situations. However, covert narcissists are introverted. They tend to be extremely sensitive to criticism and suffer from low self-esteem. They can be defensive and passive-aggressive, but they are less likely to overestimate their emotional abilities than overt narcissists. 

Antagonistic narcissism. In contrast with communal narcissists, antagonistic narcissists take a highly competitive approach to social interactions. They often exhibit zero-sum thinking, believing that every situation has a "loser" and "winner." This view of the world leads them to be aggressive and hostile. They may be quick to disparage others and slow or unwilling to forgive.

Overt or grandiose narcissism. Overt narcissists tend to be extroverted but also uncooperative, selfish, and overbearing. Their exaggerated self-image and high self-esteem allow them to be confident and assertive. However, they're also likely to overestimate their own emotional intelligence.

Communal narcissism. Communal narcissists tend to view themselves as altruistic and claim to care deeply about fairness. They present themselves to others as supportive and selfless. However, their behavior is motivated by a desire for social power and a sense of superiority or entitlement. Because of this, their actions don't always match their beliefs.

》It's not known what causes narcissistic personality disorder. The cause is likely complex. Narcissistic personality disorder may be linked to:

Environment — parent-child relationships with either too much adoration or too much criticism that don't match the child's actual experiences and achievements.

Genetics — inherited characteristics, such as certain personality traits.

Neurobiology — the connection between the brain and behavior and thinking.

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》The term sociopath refers to someone living with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) — as does the term psychopath.

》People with the condition might seem charming and charismatic at first, at least on the surface, but they generally find it difficult to understand other people's feelings.

They often:

break rules or laws

behave aggressively or impulsively

feel little guilt for harm they cause others

use manipulation, deceit, and controlling behavior

》signs and symptoms of ASPD include a persistent pattern of disregard for others. For example:

ignoring social norms and laws, or breaking rules at school or work, overstepping social boundaries, stealing, stalking and harassing others, and destroying property

dishonesty and deceit, including using false identities and manipulating others for personal gain

difficulty controlling impulses and planning for the future, or acting without considering the consequences

aggressive or aggravated behavior, including frequent fights or physical conflict with others
disregard for personal safety, or the safety of others

difficulty managing responsibilities, including showing up at work, handling tasks, or paying rent and bills

little to no guilt or remorse, or a tendency to justify actions that negatively affect others

》Although most people understand the word "antisocial" to mean someone is a loner with no social skills, people who have antisocial personality disorder are often friendly, charming, gregarious and fun.

》In a clinical setting, there's no actual difference between sociopathy and psychopathy. A mental health professional won't diagnose either of the two.
Some psychologists and researchers do make key distinctions between sociopathy and psychopathy. But these terms simply offer two slightly different ways of understanding the diagnosis of ASPD.
In these interpretations, psychopathy is sometimes seen as involving more planned behavior. The behavior might not necessarily be violent, but it's typically premeditated.

》Those with sociopathy tend to be more erratic and impulsive whereas those with psychopathy are often able to maintain the appearance of stable, normal life.

》Many experts consider sociopathy more of an environmental construct than a genetic one.
Yes, brain chemistry and inherited genes play a part, but parenting styles and upbringing, along with other environmental factors, carry the most weight. (Psychopathy, on the other hand, appears linked to more innate biological factors.)

》Possible treatments for ASPD include the following.

Various types of Psychotherapy as well as Medication are most effective in treating symptoms.