Current understanding of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder

Abstract

SUMMARY This article reviews historical contributions to the conceptualisation of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), including its evolution as a clinical diagnosis within the DSM classification of mental disorders. It discusses the epidemiology and aetiology of NPD, noting that empirical studies of both are limited. The challenges of managing patients with prominent narcissistic traits are presented, and the psychological therapies specifically designed for the treatment of patients with NPD are summarised. LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Understand different models of narcissism • Understand the epidemiology, comorbidity and theories of aetiology of NPD • Know how to manage and treat patients with pathological narcissism and NPD DECLARATION OF INTEREST None.