Article
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a lifelong pattern of exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a diminished ability to empathize with others.
Diagnostic Criteria
- NPD is diagnosed based on criteria in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
- Symptoms include grandiosity, a sense of entitlement, preoccupation with fantasies of success or beauty, and a lack of empathy.
- NPD is often comorbid with other mental disorders and can cause significant functional impairment and psychosocial disability.
Origins and Development
- Personality disorders are enduring, inflexible patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate from cultural expectations.
- These patterns develop by early adulthood and are associated with distress or impairment.
Relevance to Erotic Writing
- Characters with NPD may seek validation through the gaze of others, struggle with empathy, or display grandiose self-regard.
- NPD can be used to explore power dynamics, manipulation, and the darker aspects of desire.