Background

Condition Lookup

Number of Conditions: 2

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Personality Disorders

Symptoms:
grandiosity; lack of empathy; need for excessive admiration; sense of entitlement; exploitation of others

Root Cause:
Dysfunctional self-esteem regulation and maladaptive coping mechanisms; potentially influenced by genetics, upbringing, and environmental factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Comprehensive psychological assessment using DSM-5 criteria and structured interviews.

Treatment:
Long-term psychotherapy (e.g., psychodynamic therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy).

Medications:
Medications are not specifically for the personality disorder but may address co-occurring conditions, such as SSRIs for depression or mood stabilizers for impulsivity.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1%–6% of the general population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Childhood adversity, over-praising or excessive criticism during childhood, and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Difficult to treat due to limited insight and resistance to therapy, but gradual improvement is possible with consistent treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty maintaining relationships, work challenges, and comorbid mental health issues like depression or substance abuse.

Personality Disorders

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Personality Disorders

Symptoms:
inflexible and maladaptive patterns of thinking; difficulty in relationships; emotional dysregulation; impulsivity; poor self-image

Root Cause:
Combination of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors influencing personality development.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Comprehensive psychological assessment using DSM-5 criteria and structured interviews.

Treatment:
Long-term psychotherapy, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or schema therapy, and sometimes medications for symptom management.

Medications:
SSRIs or mood stabilizers may help with co-occurring depression, anxiety, or mood swings. Antipsychotics (e.g., risperidone ) may be used for severe emotional dysregulation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10%-15% of the general population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Childhood abuse or neglect, unstable family environment, and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Improvement is possible with consistent therapy, though some symptoms may persist over time.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Interpersonal conflicts, self-harm, suicidal behavior, and difficulty maintaining employment or relationships.