The Unraveling of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Why Therapists Fear It
By: Elizabeth Wieck
(A Narcissistic Abuse Survivor)
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. While many people with NPD can lead successful lives, others pose a significant threat to those around them.
Therapists are increasingly wary of treating individuals with NPD because of the unique challenges they present. NPD is part of Cluster B personality disorders, which also includes borderline, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders. These disorders share traits such as impulsivity, dramatic behavior, and difficulty regulating emotions. However, NPD stands out as the most challenging to treat.
One reason for this difficulty is that narcissistic individuals often have a fragile sense of self. Any perceived criticism can lead to intense feelings of shame and humiliation, which they avoid at all costs. This can make therapy a challenge, as individuals with NPD may struggle to acknowledge their problems or take responsibility for their actions. They may also try to manipulate or control their therapist to maintain their sense of superiority.
Therapists also fear that treating individuals with NPD can be harmful to their own mental health. Narcissistic individuals can be highly demanding, hostile, and manipulative. They may see their therapist as a source of validation and try to control the therapeutic process to serve their needs. This can leave therapists feeling drained, frustrated, and helpless.
Despite the challenges, some therapists specialize in treating NPD. They often use a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and other evidence-based techniques. The goal is to help individuals with NPD develop a more realistic and stable sense of self, improve their interpersonal relationships, and regulate their emotions better.
However, therapy is not always effective for individuals with NPD, particularly those who are not motivated to change. In some cases, individuals with NPD may require medication to manage symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In extreme cases, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure the safety of the individual and those around them.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a complex and challenging mental health condition that therapists fear treating. Individuals with NPD often present unique challenges, including fragile self-esteem, manipulative behavior, and a lack of empathy. Despite these challenges, some therapists specialize in treating NPD using a combination of evidence-based techniques.
While therapy can be effective, it’s not always enough, and medication or hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases.
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