Can You Diagnose Your Narcissist?

Everything you Need to Know about Narcissists, Psychopaths, and Abuse - click on this link: http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/faq1.html

The Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a disease. It is defined only by and in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). All other "definitions" and compilations of "criteria" are irrelevant and very misleading.

People go around putting together lists of traits and behaviors (usually based on their experience with one person who was never officially diagnosed as a narcissist) and deciding that these lists constitute the essence or definition of narcissism.

People are erroneously using the term "narcissist" to describe every type of abuser or obnoxious and uncouth person. That is wrong. Not all abusers are narcissists.

Only a qualified mental health diagnostician can determine whether someone suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and this, following lengthy tests and personal interviews.

It is true that narcissists can mislead even the most experienced professional (see the article above). But this does not mean that laymen possess the ability to diagnose mental health disorders. The same signs and symptoms apply to many psychological problems and differentiating between them takes years of learning and training.

(From the book "Malignant Self-love: Narcissism Revisited" by Sam Vaknin - Click on this link to purchase the print book, or 16 e-books, or 2 DVDs with 12 hours of video lectures on narcissists, psychopaths, and abuse in relationships: http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/thebook.html)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• personality disorder
• narcissism
• narcissist
• psychopathology
• npd
• diagnostic criteria
• dsm
• diagnosis
• diagnostician
• therapist
• psychotherapist
• layman
• expert
• psychological tests
• structured interviews
• questionnaires
• patient
• psychologist
• psychiatrist

[kyraandamysdad]

Another fascinating and informative commentary by Vaknin, and of course he is correct that lay people can only make good guesses at best, as to a diagnosis. An interesting wrinkle to think about: the author is himself a narcissist, which makes him special. By reminding us that few are qualified to apply the label, and fewer still submit to the necessary tests, he (rightly) dissuades others from unwittingly inflating that currency by printing up faux diagnoses of NPD.

[cossiels]

Spending 5 years on and off in a relationship with a person who ticks pretty much every single box, who can be extraordinarily nasty but obviously has a positive and attractive side, would I think qualify me through my experience to label. Plus by her own account of her previous ex's they were exactly replicated relationship. The whole army can't be out of step. I don't say any of this lightly as I'm still recovering from the fallout of the relationship which finally ended some 18 months ago.

[deltaxcd]

Everybody is supposed to be narcissist by some degree. it is just matter of quantity not quality.

person who completely lacks narcissism is also sick.

also psychiatrists cant diagnose anything. if patient claims that he is ok then he is. no matter how crazy or strange he is. that basic of human rights. doctor can only help to diagnose and fix problems that you acknowledge.

[4evrstrng]

Thank you for sharing this. It has made me realize I need to be careful. My husband has not been diagnosed, but fits the criteria. I've talked with him about going to counseling, even just marriage counseling. He won't go. So, I'm sure he will never be diagnosed. But, these videos have helped me, regardless.

[Rubacund]

Most people with NPD would never get diagnosed with NPD. The Narc. will look down on Psychiatrists as quacks. Narcs. think they are perfect and god's gift to mankind.

[StarCraftRaver]

OR maybe people have a natural talent with personality identification.

It can happen you know, people being naturally talented at something without it taking years.

[AmandyPants]

I realize that it is not my place to label the Narcissist, and would never do so in court. What can I say to prompt an evaluation? I feel that it's only a matter of time before my ex turns to my son in an attempt to acquire narcissistic supply. My ex used to love the attention a new baby brought to him. He hasn't once asked how his baby is doing since he left 2 weeks ago.

[onlyonecher]

If you are living with a person that fits every dynamic mentioned in your book (which I have read from beginning to end) After 26 years of continuous abuse , I feel quite comfortable labeling the man I'm married to. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.....It's a freaking DUCK, Sam!