Is narcissistic personality disorder treatable? If you know someone who has this condition, you may wonder if there is any hope of changing their behaviors. In today’s post, we explore the symptoms of this condition, the types of treatment that may be helpful, and how you can support your loved one without undermining your own well-being.

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What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

To understand why people ask, is narcissistic personality disorder treatable, it can be helpful to review some fundamental facts about this disorder.

Narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD, is a mental health condition that is characterized by a variety of self-centered behaviors. 

As defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), someone with NPD will display “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy.” 

Symptoms

To be correctly diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, a person must meet five or more of the following criteria:

• Having an excessive sense of self-importance, which may include exaggerating their achievements and expecting to be recognized as a superior individual
• Being preoccupied with thoughts of unlimited power, success, beauty, or brilliance
• Believing they are special, and should only interact with others who are of equally lofty status
• Requiring continuous displays of admiration
• Having a sense of entitlement, which can include expecting favorable treatment and immediate full compliance 
• Exploiting or taking advantage of others for personal gain
• Lacking the ability to recognize or understand the needs, desires, and feelings of other people
• Displaying frequent envy of others and/or claiming that others are envious of them
• Acting in a particularly arrogant manner

Risk Factors

As is also the case with most other mental health conditions, there is no single cause of narcissistic personality disorder. Instead, experts have identified a variety of factors that can raise a person’s risk of developing this disorder.

Potential NPD risk factors include:

• Certain genetic variations
• Being overly praised during childhood
• Being judged excessively or rejected during childhood
• Being abused or neglected during childhood
• Various cultural influences

Statistics

Experts estimate that the rate of NPD among the general public may be as high as 6.2%. Research indicates that the prevalence of the disorder is significantly higher among men (7.7%) than among women (4.8%).

Many people who have narcissistic personality disorder also have another mental or behavioral health condition. 

One study found that about 64% of people with NPD have a co-occurring affective disorder, which is a category that includes depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This same study also determined that about 35% of people with NPD also struggle with an addiction to alcohol or another drug.

Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatable?

The answer to the question, is narcissistic personality disorder treatable, contains some good news and some not-so-good news: 

• The good news is that yes, narcissistic personality disorder is treatable. When they receive effective care, people with NPD can learn to manage their symptoms and rein in their more problematic behaviors.
• The not-so-good news is that treating NPD can be quite difficult, in part because people who have this condition are often highly resistant to suggestions that they need treatment.

When a person with NPD agrees to get help, they may benefit from a variety of therapeutic approaches, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Gestalt therapy
• Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)
• Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

No medications have been developed to treat the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, but medication can be a valuable element of care for patients who have also been living with anxiety, depression, or another co-occurring mental health condition.

How Can I Help Someone Who Has Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

If someone that you care about has been exhibiting the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, their behaviors can have a powerful negative impact on your own life. In addition to trying to help them, it’s also important to protect yourself. Here are a few suggestions:

• Educate yourself about NPD, which you’ve already begun to do by reading this page. You may also want to consult with mental health experts or support groups in your area. As you learn more about this disorder, you’ll have a better understanding of what your loved one is experiencing and what you can expect from them. 
• Set and maintain healthy boundaries. This can be challenging, but it is essential for your own mental health. You don’t have to put up with manipulative, judgmental, or otherwise abusive behaviors. Let the person know what actions are unacceptable to you, establish appropriate consequences for these actions, and follow through when the individual crosses any of your boundaries. 
• Talk to them about getting help. As we discussed in the previous section, this can also be difficult. There’s a good chance that the person won’t believe they need to change anything about themselves, and they may react negatively to the suggestion that they could benefit from professional treatment. However, if they don’t get help, they’re unlikely to change how they think and act.
• Talk to a professional. A therapist or counselor can help you process your experiences, develop more effective coping skills, and view your situation from a different perspective. You can’t change your loved one, but you are in full control of how you respond to them. In extreme cases, the best choice may be to distance yourself from them. A professional can help you evaluate your options and find the approach that’s best for you.

Learn More About Treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder in Atlanta

If someone in your life has been exhibiting the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder or another complex mental health conditions, Valor Behavioral Health is here to help. 

Treatment options at our center in Atlanta, Georgia, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP) an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program (OP). At each level, patients receive personalized services and comprehensive support from a team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals.

To learn more about how we can help your loved one, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.