narcissistic personality type

Narcissism, first identified as a mental disorder in 1898, is characterized by an inflated self-image, a fantasy addiction, and a tendency to exploit others. It is named after the mythological figure Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. While considered a normal stage in child development by Sigmund Freud, it becomes a disorder when it persists after puberty.1

In psychology, narcissism is part of the "dark triad" of personality traits, alongside Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is diagnosed through clinical evaluation and is defined by grandiosity, attention-seeking, and impaired empathy. Individuals with NPD or the narcissistic personality type are preoccupied with maintaining positive self-concepts and seek external validation. They often have superficial relationships and react strongly to feedback regarding their self-esteem.1

Theories suggest adult narcissism stems from early childhood experiences, particularly disturbances in parental relationships. While both psychopathy and sociopathy share some traits with narcissism, such as a lack of empathy and high self-appraisal, narcissists are generally not impulsive or aggressive and have a compelling need for admiration, which is not a characteristic of psychopathy or sociopathy.12