Why is it that compared to other mental illness’s like depression, ADHD, autism and anxiety people seem to be so hostile to NPD? I always see things about ‘mental health awareness’ yet this is never applied to personality disorders.
Just look up “narcissism”, “NPD” or “narcissistic personality disorder” and the results are about how dangerous people with NPD are and how to spot somebody with NPD or if your ex boyfriend is a narcissist etc… etc…
I was watching this video earlier by a YouTube user ‘ShortFatOtaku’ called “Low IQ Twitter Discourse Awards!” and there was this one guy on twitter who said that if you claim advocate for the mentally ill you such do so with personality disorders as well. A statement I completely agree with:
https://youtu.be/3EJedJ8MhNA YouTube
ShortFatOtaku response with “wow your going to let that narcissist kill you and take everything from you?” I shouldn’t have to explain how bad faith and unhinged that is.
Why do people think this way about narcissists? Having NPD doesn’t make someone an inherently bad person. As someone who has NPD I haven’t abused or manipulated anyone ever. Sure, I struggle with empathy, I have to make an effort to think about other people and ok I have a never ending need for validation but that doesn’t mean I’m a bad person I understand I have a problem I didn’t choose to be like this. Manipulation and grandiosity are awful traits that I have but they don’t define me. I’m a good friend, I’m a good sister, I’m a good coworker and there are people out there who benefit from my existence. NPD doesn’t have to define me I’m more then my diagnosis.
Personality disorders as a rule are some of the most difficult mental health issues to treat, and Narcissistic is one of the hardest.
Because the narcissist generally manipulates others to achieve their goals, it is one of the more “outward-facing” disorders, and therefore affects others. That’s why you experience “hostility” as opposed to having mental illness like depression, autism, or depression, which affects the person who has it.
Another problem with treating narcissists is they have a complex and often distorted relationship with truth, characterized by a lack of self-awareness, grandiose fantasies, manipulation, and projection. They may use dishonesty and deception to achieve their goals, but can also adapt to situations where honesty is necessary.
Narcissists are highly sensitive to criticism and rejection, which can lead to defensiveness and denial when confronted with the truth. They may become aggressive, hostile, or even violent when their grandiose image is challenged. It could be the root of this post itself.
Narcissists are incapable of understanding and relating to others’ experiences and emotions. This makes it difficult for them to comprehend the harm caused by their dishonesty and lack of truthfulness. They are their own worst judge.
Recognizing and understanding these patterns is crucial for dealing with narcissists and setting boundaries to protect oneself. We shouldn’t soft-sell NPD. It’s a part of the “Cluster B Personality Disorders (of A, B, and C),” which are the most harmful because they aren’t as apparent as Cluster A, who generally are odd enough to draw attention, and they are not needy or anxious like Cluster C.
Cluster B is:
- Antisocial personality disorder: characterized by social irresponsibility, disregard for others, and manipulation
- Borderline personality disorder: marked by emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, and impulsivity
- Histrionic personality disorder: characterized by attention-seeking and excessive emotionality
- Narcissistic personality disorder: marked by self-grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy
