What is your experience w people who probably or definitely exhibit Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)?
To clarify: here is a very brief description:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a disorder that is characterized by a long-standing pattern of grandiosity (either in fantasy or actual behavior), an overwhelming need for admiration, and usually a complete lack of empathy toward others.
(OP note: the lack of empathy is a tip-off that the person exhibits NPD and is not just a show-off. Also of note: you may not witness this lack of empathy unless you or someone within your view angers the N, usually by criticizing them or making them feel they are not the best or do not have a better life than you [this can happen quite by accident]).
Like many people who grow up w narcissists in their families, I seem to be somewhat sensitized to narcissism in others, and over the years I have met a few and been forced by circumstance ("forced" is too strong a word...compelled, maybe...anyway) to live and/or work w a couple of these.
I'm especially interested in how narcissism progresses over time. The particular N who inspired this thread is in his early thirties and very good at hiding his N tendencies from people who aren't close to him. Most Ns are good at that, ime...though his facade is beginning to chip w some people, he is good at finding and charming new admirers/"friends" to trick for a while (sometimes a long while, as long as they don't get too close or suggest he makes any mistake or has any flaws, then they are usually OUT). I run into him from time to time, and I wonder in an almost scientific way how it will all turn out for him as he gets older...I know an older N who is mostly okay, though pretty alone (he seems okay w this, from what I can tell, though he does require admiration from people) but his life seems to me like it could have turned out much better if he hadn't driven everyone off...now that he is approaching old age, he has become somewhat more easygoing, though I'm not close enough to tell if this is real or just a new face to wear.
To clarify: here is a very brief description:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a disorder that is characterized by a long-standing pattern of grandiosity (either in fantasy or actual behavior), an overwhelming need for admiration, and usually a complete lack of empathy toward others.
(OP note: the lack of empathy is a tip-off that the person exhibits NPD and is not just a show-off. Also of note: you may not witness this lack of empathy unless you or someone within your view angers the N, usually by criticizing them or making them feel they are not the best or do not have a better life than you [this can happen quite by accident]).
Like many people who grow up w narcissists in their families, I seem to be somewhat sensitized to narcissism in others, and over the years I have met a few and been forced by circumstance ("forced" is too strong a word...compelled, maybe...anyway) to live and/or work w a couple of these.
I'm especially interested in how narcissism progresses over time. The particular N who inspired this thread is in his early thirties and very good at hiding his N tendencies from people who aren't close to him. Most Ns are good at that, ime...though his facade is beginning to chip w some people, he is good at finding and charming new admirers/"friends" to trick for a while (sometimes a long while, as long as they don't get too close or suggest he makes any mistake or has any flaws, then they are usually OUT). I run into him from time to time, and I wonder in an almost scientific way how it will all turn out for him as he gets older...I know an older N who is mostly okay, though pretty alone (he seems okay w this, from what I can tell, though he does require admiration from people) but his life seems to me like it could have turned out much better if he hadn't driven everyone off...now that he is approaching old age, he has become somewhat more easygoing, though I'm not close enough to tell if this is real or just a new face to wear.