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Do u believe that narcissism is a mental illness ? 🧠

Good question there. Ive been wondering about this for years. 😂 I wonder if the people who really are narcissists are aware that this
is what they are. And that they need help. What do you think ? Some say its spiritual. Others say that this is a mental issue.
What do you think SW. Best answer wins ! ☺


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Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a real and documented mental health affliction. This is important to emphasize because there are individuals out there who can greatly benefit from using educational sources about it.

This also comes with the caveat of understanding that NPD is rare and can sometimes resemble other disorders—or simply put, many typical bad habits exhibited by most of us can be mistaken for it. I like to make the distinction between someone just being a pretty selfish person or acting in a way that comes off as narcissistic in the non-clinical sense, and someone who has a history of continuously behaving in a way that causes unrest and distress to those around them and possibly even themselves.

About your thoughts on a real, pathological narcissist being aware of having the disorder: there is documentation on this, though it's proven to be pretty abstract. There is a psychological term called insight, referring to an individual's ability to recognize and address their own symptoms or behaviors in general. People with NPD typically have very low insight—the disorder is considered ego-syntonic, meaning the individual tends to view their behaviors as normal or acceptable. This ego-syntonic nature is a hallmark of the disorder.

However, there is hope, because with time and patience, individuals with narcissistic traits can gradually develop a sense of insight. This would move them closer to the ego-dystonic category, where they are more likely to recognize problems within themselves and thus have more potential for effective treatment.
Zonuss · 46-50, M
@SinlessOnslaught So how can a person with a disorder change their ways.
@Zonuss It's complicated. A very simple (but abstract) way to put it is that people with personality disorders are missing sort of logical "pathways" in the brain that most of us have, and we see it as abnormal behavior.

However, just because those pathways are missing, doesn’t mean they can't—with treatment—arrive at the same conclusions and social norms as the rest of us. They just need to take a different "pathway" to understand it.

Keep in mind that is NOT scientifically accurate information, it's just a watered down way to explain it.
Dainbramadge · 56-60, M
Now when you say mental health, does that include personality disorder?
Because, with out actually looking it up, I think it's actually a learned trait.
Someone was just talking about that here so I think I got that from them.
Something to do with inability to develop deep feelings for others.
As far as do they know they have it?
I can speak from my own personal experiences that most people that have mental issues don't know they have a mental illness. LOL.
Now I know your thinking how could they not????
See I am bipolar but that's not what I sought attention for it was the sluggish feelings and the anxiety was crushing me.
I know two people with text book paranoia and it's clear as all get out to everybody but them.
One guy I even showed the example of finding different meaning in the numbers on the clock, which I guess is something they do. LOL. He still laughed it off and denied he had it.
So I would say narcissist would be just as oblivious.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
There's a saying that if any can't learn empathy in the first seven years of their life they will never learn empathy.

While this is not exactly true, there is degrees of empathy. So if untreated they can never learn the full impact of empathy. The age factor limits what is learned later on in life.

This applies to high degrees of narcissism because they only think about themselves. They have little empathy for others.

The fact that some empathy can be learned makes it a treatable to a degree. Therefore it can be considered a disease.

Yet the longer in delay of treatment the less desirable the results.

Your not going to cure any 70 year old person of narcissistic behaviors if they have a high degree of narcissism.

They are fixed in their ways.

My statement above for the most part has been collaborated, though insistence in treatment is urged.
faery · 31-35, F
It's a personality disorder and part of that is not being able to judge one's own behavior or control one's emotions very well, if at all. Intellectually, one may realize for moments in time that their behavior or emotions are out of control but then they easily slip back into not being able to recognize or control themselves for the majority of time.
Zonuss · 46-50, M
@faery It really does make one virtually dysfunctional.
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solitaire · 41-45, F
Narcissists lack self awareness is what I've been told. One valuable lesson I've learnt know - NEVER get emotionally attached to them. They mess your head
Zonuss · 46-50, M
@solitaire I believe they do lack awareness too.
Nebula · 41-45, F
Personality disorder
Tumbleweed · F
I definitely believe it's a personality disorder
onewithshoes · 26-30, F
Over diagnosed.
@onewithshoes perhaps, but in the case of the Mad King, they might as well have his picture on the top of the page in the textbook. He’s an extreme example of it.
tobynshorty · 51-55, F
Mental illness
KingofBones1 · 46-50, M
Gee ask Big Orange I wonder what his answer would be
@KingofBones1 he would say “I know more about psychology than all of the psychologists”
Adogslife · 61-69, M
@KingofBones1 Big Orange is a megalomaniac which, by definition, makes him a narcissist.
KingofBones1 · 46-50, M
@Adogslife and he is also an undercover enemy of democracy and the Western way of life that's why he is enabling the Russians and the North Koreans along with the Chinese
uncalled4 · 56-60, M
Yup, go check the DSM-5.
Zonuss · 46-50, M
Malignant Narcisim is a recognized mental illness by all psychologists.
Zonuss · 46-50, M
@RockerDad So basically a personality disorder is a mental illness.
mindless · M
No... Its a character trait
Zonuss · 46-50, M
@mindless Explain.
Well ask the government if their leader is one and if hes ill !!!!!
zonavar68 · 56-60, M
@jackjones68 I.n.t.e.l.l.i.g.e.n.c.e suggests! The answer is 'yes'. lol

Even Miss Vicki of Scientology would agree.
zonavar68 · 56-60, M
Chronic narcissism is a mental disease. It's 'entitlement complex' that's become cancerous.
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Moneyonmymind · 31-35, M
I think the ones that are aware simply don’t care and choose to stay ignorant

 
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