Have you ever met someone who always has to be the center of attention? Someone who constantly seeks praise and admiration but at the same time has difficulty understanding the feelings of others?
This could be a sign of narcissism, a personality disorder that strongly affects not only the affected person but also those around them.
What is Narcissism?
Narcissism is much more than mere self-love. Behind the facade of an inflated self-image and the constant desire for admiration often lies a fragile foundation: a lack of healthy self-confidence and inner security. To compensate for this inner emptiness, whether in terms of self-worth or emotional security, many affected individuals create an artificial, exaggerated image. This serves as a shield to hide their own vulnerability and to demonstrate strength outwardly that is not anchored inside.
They show little empathy for others and are often unable to accept their own mistakes. But did you know that narcissism is actually classified as a serious personality disorder?
Prevalence and Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is not particularly widespread, but affects between 0.4% and 1% of the population (Neurologen und Psychiater im Netz).
Particularly interesting is that this personality disorder is diagnosed more frequently in men than in women. But how does this disorder develop? Experts agree that a combination of genetic factors, neurobiological imbalances, and childhood experiences plays a role. Excessive praise or extreme criticism during childhood can lead to the development of a personality style strongly influenced by narcissism.
Symptoms and personality traits
Typical personality traits of narcissists include:
-
An exaggerated sense of one's own importance (grandiosity)
-
A constant desire for admiration
-
A lack of empathy
-
Hypersensitivity to criticism
-
Exploitation of others to achieve one's own goals
Interestingly, one of the core elements of this personality disorder is the lack of self-love. Although narcissists outwardly display a strong self-esteem, their inner self-image is often based on insecurity. Their abilities to handle criticism or build genuine interpersonal connections are severely limited.
No matter how much recognition they receive from outside, they never feel "enough" inside. They are constantly searching for faults, chasing perfection, although they themselves are far from it. They cannot perceive or appreciate their own progress, nor the successes of others. This striving resembles a black hole that can never be filled. Life alongside a narcissist can therefore be overwhelming and emotionally exhausting, as the counterpart is permanently trapped in a cycle of criticism, dissatisfaction, and unfulfilled expectations.
Narcissistic individuals also often appear as dominant personalities, always wanting to be right in discussions and determining how relationships proceed.
How often does NPD occur together with other disorders?
People with narcissistic personality disorder often struggle with additional mental health conditions.
These include depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. A frightening fact: people with this disorder have an increased risk of suicide attempts, especially when repeatedly confronted with disappointments or criticism.
In psychology, narcissism is often considered in the context of the Dark Triad, together with Machiavellianism (strategic manipulation) and psychopathy (emotional coldness, impulsivity). Studies show that individuals with high scores in these areas often have lower scores in personality traits such as agreeableness and empathy, but frequently exhibit high adaptability and strategic thinking to achieve their goals. This combination can bring short-term advantages in certain professional fields, such as management, politics, or sales, but carries significant risks for interpersonal relationships and team dynamics.
Diagnosis and treatment of NPD
The diagnosis of a narcissistic personality disorder is made by applying the criteria of the DSM-5. At least five of the following features must be present: grandiosity, excessive need for admiration, lack of empathy, exploitation of others, and arrogance.
How is such a disorder treated? The good news is: With the right therapy, those affected can learn to develop healthier behavior patterns. The therapists rely on a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and sometimes group therapy.
In therapy, those affected learn to recognize their true inner conflicts and develop strategies to lead healthier relationships.
How do I recognize narcissism in everyday life?
It is not so easy to recognize narcissism, as many people occasionally show narcissistic traits. However, if you know someone who always has to be the center of attention, relies heavily on recognition, and has difficulty accepting criticism, these could be clear signs. A conversation with a professional therapist can help to make a clear diagnosis.
Understanding narcissism – a complex topic in transition
Narcissism is not a black-and-white phenomenon; it exists on an intensity-scaled spectrum. A healthy dose of self-esteem, a bit of pride in one's own achievements, and the need for recognition are human and even protective: They help to set boundaries and pursue goals decisively. It becomes critical when the pursuit of control, admiration, or superiority reaches an unhealthy extent – especially when the affected person or their environment is harmed or when self-esteem becomes heavily dependent on external validation.
Modern research already sees a trend: Narcissism, especially in online contexts, is sometimes overdiagnosed. Many people show narcissistic traits without being pathological. At the same time, the presence of narcissistic personalities is increasing, especially in leadership positions, such as CEOs or political officeholders Harvard Forum for Corporate Governance. Psychologists also discuss whether certain professions – with high demands on self-confidence and assertiveness – actually favor or even attract narcissistic personalities.
Narcissism: The fine line between success and risk
A look at current studies shows an ambivalent picture:
-
In uncertain or dynamic business situations, narcissistic CEOs can indeed act decisively and achieve short-term successes. ScienceDirect.
-
At the same time, such leaders tend to engage more often in risky behavior, such as insider trading, and often overestimate their abilities or opportunities. Financial Times.
In the digital space, the trend toward narcissism is particularly strong: young adults increasingly show narcissistic traits, for example due to social media use, performance pressure, or lonely living environments. Psychology Today. But caution: research warns against automatically classifying behaviors as narcissistic; a differentiated, context-sensitive assessment is needed.
Ambivalent benefits, visible in the workplace
Narcissism is not inherently evil, but its influence on leadership culture and team dynamics is ambivalent. In environments where quick decisions are required, narcissistic talents can be useful, provided they are accompanied by ethical frameworks, feedback culture, and accountability structures. At the same time, organizations should be aware of the risk of unintentionally favoring narcissistic personalities through certain language in job postings (e.g., "ambitious, creative leaders"). Psychology Today.
At its core, it is about understanding narcissism in a nuanced way and dealing with it consciously – to protect the team as well as to promote healthy leadership in the modern workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the difference between healthy self-confidence and narcissism?
While healthy self-confidence is based on a stable self-esteem, a narcissist's self-esteem depends heavily on recognition from others. Narcissism involves an exaggerated need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others.
Q. Can narcissism be cured?
A complete cure is rare, but with the right therapy, those affected can develop healthier behavior patterns. It is mainly about recognizing and changing their destructive personality traits.
Q. Which therapy forms are most effective?
Among the most effective therapies are cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy. In these sessions, those affected learn to question their thought and behavior patterns and find healthier ways to deal with their emotions.
Support on maraschaer.com
If you know someone who suffers from narcissistic personality disorder, or if you yourself struggle with the signs of this disorder, there is hope.
On my website, I offer professional support to accompany you on your path to more self-love and healthier relationships. My services focus on building a stable self-esteem and developing positive behavior patterns.
Visits maraschaer.com for more information about my services and how I can help you change your life.
Schedule a free 1:1 conversation
Narcissism is a complex personality disorder that strongly affects the lives of those affected and their relatives.
But with the right support, healthy relationships and a stable self-image can be built. It is important to seek help early and work on gaining a better understanding of your own personality traits and behaviors.
If you believe that you or someone you know suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Change is possible, and the first step begins with understanding your own patterns and behaviors.
Bibliography
Brummelman, E., Thomaes, S., Nelemans, S. A., Orobio de Castro, B., Overbeek, G., & Bushman, B. J. (2015). Origins of narcissism in children. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(12), 3659–3662. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1420870112
Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(6), 556–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00505-6
Pajevic, I., Jonason, P. K., Kowalska, D., & Malinowski, P. (2023). Cold hearts and dark minds: A systematic review and meta-analysis on empathy differences in the dark triad. Journal of Personality Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi_2023_37_596
Schulze, L., Dziobek, I., Vater, A., Heekeren, H. R., Bajbouj, M., Renneberg, B., Heuser, I., & Roepke, S. (2013). Gray matter abnormalities in patients with narcissistic personality disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(10), 1363–1369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.05.017
Are narcissistic CEOs all that bad? (2021, October 25). Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance. https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/10/25/are-narcissistic-ceos-all-that-bad/
Job postings may reveal preference for narcissistic applicants, study suggests. (2025, April 2). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/02/job-postings-narcissism-study
Narcissistic CEOs and corporate decision-making. (2024). Journal of Corporate Finance. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1044028324000632
Narcissism. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism
Narcissistic bosses more likely to engage in insider trading, study finds. (2024). Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/6377974b-e9c6-4908-910f-53411176eb12
Why narcissism is rising. (2024, February). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-beast/202402/why-narcissism-is-rising
Are people more narcissistic than ever? (2025, April 3). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20250403/are-people-more-narcissistic-than-ever
Social media narcissism. (n.d.). Newport Institute. https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/social-media-narcissism/
Narcissists are more likely to become addicted to social networking sites, study finds. (n.d.). PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/narcissists-are-more-likely-to-become-addicted-to-social-networking-sites/
Narcissism and social media: Should we be afraid? (2019, September). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-world-real-world/201909/narcissism-and-social-media-should-we-be-afraid
Category: narcissistic personality disorder/ personality/ psychotherapy/ patients/ articles/ people/ personality disorders/ illness/ narcissist
