Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

[Pacifist Patriot]

Diagnostic Criteria

* A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

* has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

* is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

* believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

* requires excessive admiration

* has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

* is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

* lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

* often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

* shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

and I think this is key, "NPD is commonly diagnosed with other personality disorders, namely the histrionic, borderline, paranoid, and antisocial. The personal style of those suffering from NPD should be distinguished from the personal styles of patients with other "cluster B" personality disorders. The narcissist is grandiose, the histrionic coquettish, the antisocial (psychopath) callous, and the borderline needy."

Diagnostic Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder

A. A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since the age of 15 years as indicated by at least three of:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
5. reckless disregard for the safety of self or others;
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations;
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalising having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

B. The individual is at least 18 years of age.

C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15 years.

D. The occurrence of antisocial behaviour is not exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode.

I can't get this tickling feeling out of my brain. Does this sound like anyone we know?