Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind the mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are usually upset by the slightest criticism. 

NPD can cause problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school, financial matters. People with NPD may be generally unhappy and disappointed when they’re not given the special favors or admiration that they believe they deserve. They may find their relationships troubled and unfulfilling, and other people may not enjoy being around them. 

Symptoms of NPD

• Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration.
• Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment.
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.
• Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are.
• Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty, or the perfect mate.
• Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people.
• Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important.
• Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them.
• Take advantage of others to get what they want.\
• Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
• Be envious of other and believe others envy them.
• Behave in arrogant way, brag a lot and come across as conceited.
• Insist on having the best of everything.
• Trouble handling anything they view as criticism.
• Become impatient or angry when they don’t receive special recognition or treatment.
• Have major problems interacting with others and easily feel slighted.
• React with rage or contempt and try to belittle other people to make themselves appear superior.
• Difficulty handling their emotions and behaviors.
• Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change.
• Withdraw from or avoid situations in which they might fail.
• Feel depressed or moody because they fall short of perfection.
• Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, humiliation and fear of being exposed as a failure. 

Narcissistic personality disorder treatment is centered around psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you:

• Learn to relate better with others so your relationships are closer, more enjoyable, and more rewarding.
• Understand the causes of your emotions and what drives you to compete, to distrust others, and to dislike others and possibly yourself.

The focus is to help you accept responsibility and learn to:

• Accept and maintain real personal relationships and work together with co-workers.
• Recognize and accept your actual abilities, skills and potential so you can tolerate criticism or failures.
• Increase your ability to understand and manage your feelings.
• Understand and learn how to handle issues related to your self-esteem.
• Learn to set and accept goals that you can reach instead of wanting goals that are not realistic.

Therapy can be short-term to help you manage during times of stress or crisis. Therapy also can be provided on an ongoing basis to help you achieve and maintain your goals. Often, including family members or others in therapy can be helpful.

 Symptoms of NPD include:

• Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration.
• Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment.
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.
• Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are.
• Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.
• Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people.
• Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important.
• Expect special favors and expect others to do what they want without questioning them.
• Take advantage of others to get what they want.
• Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
• Be envious of others and believe others envy them.
• Behave in an arrogant way, brag a lot and come across as conceited.
• Insist on having the best of everything – for instance, the best car or office.

At the same time, they have trouble handling anything they view as criticism, They can:

• Become impatient or angry when they don’t receive special recognition or treatment.
• Have major problems interacting with others and easily feel slighted.
• React with rage or contempt and try to belittle other people to make themselves appear superior.
• Have difficulty managing their emotions and behavior. 
• Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change.
• Withdraw from or avoid situations in which they might fail.
• Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection.
• Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, humiliation and fear of being exposed as a failure.

Psychotherapy can help you:

• Learn to relate better with others so your relationships are closer, more enjoyable and more rewarding.
• Understand the causes of your emotions and what drives you to compete, to distrust others, and to dislike others and possibly yourself.
• Accept and maintain real personal relationships and work together with co-workers.
• Recognize and accept your actual abilities, skills and potential so you can tolerate criticism or failures.
• Increase your ability to understand and manage your feelings.
• Understand and learn how to handle issues related to your self-esteem.
• Learn to set and accept goals that you can reach instead of wanting goals that are not realistic.