Narcissism is often referred to casually to describe those who seem obsessed with themselves and their own vanity. However, in the medical community, it is known that this is a real disorder affecting millions of people that has some very detrimental effects on the health and well-being of the sufferers and those in their surroundings.
Residential treatment centers can address the issue through diagnosis and a variety of treatments. Recovery begins with gaining a true understanding of what narcissistic disorder officially is; what the causes may be; and what can be done about it from a professional standpoint.
What is Narcissistic Disorder?
Narcissistic disorder is diagnosed for individuals who have a mental condition involving a strong need to be admired and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Sufferers of the mental disorder often exhibit disregard for the feelings of others and have an air of superiority over other people. Through residential treatment, it can be discovered that low self-esteem is driving the narcissism deep down, and the sufferer secretly is actually quite vulnerable to any small criticism that may be inflicted upon them.
Narcissism falls under the heading of personality disorders, which are conditions where individuals possess characteristics that lead them to behave and feel in a manner which is distressing socially. Such an issue can hinder their ability to properly function in many life areas as well as in relationships, including school or work activities.
What are the Different Types of Narcissistic Disorder?
A variety of symptoms can surface in a person’s life, which are signs of the existence some type of narcissistic disorder. Those include: a belief that one is superior to others; fantasies about attractiveness, success and power; exaggerations of talents or achievements; expectations of continuous admiration and praise; and a belief that one is “special” and actions that reflect such a belief.
Certain types of narcissistic disorder may also be marked by traits such as: failure to be aware of the feelings and emotions of others; an expectation that others should submit to one’s plans and ideas; a tendency to take advantage of other people; expressed contempt towards others thought to be inferior; jealousy of others; belief that other people are actually jealous of you; difficulty maintaining relationships in a healthy manner; setting of impractical goals; a tendency to easily feel rejected or hurt; a delicate sense of self-esteem; and the appearance of lacking emotion or being “tough.”
What Causes Narcissistic Disorder?
As is the case with the majority of all mental disorders, the exact causes of narcissistic disorder are largely unknown. This is because the cause is most-likely complicated in nature. Some of the speculated causes include: childhood issues that were dysfunctional in nature such as neglect, abuse or excessive indulgence; and psychobiological or genetic development issues including connections between thinking, behavior and the brain.
Treatment Options for Narcissistic Disorder
For those who have narcissistic disorder, the treatment options will revolve around various types of psychotherapy. This can include things like group therapy, family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
The goal behind all of these treatments is to improve the patient’s mindset, assist him or her in better coping and relating to others, and explore where family interactions may have played (or currently may be playing) a role in the development of the disorder (and then, ideally, to improve those interactions).
A number of other techniques may be used, and this will depend on the particular case, the therapists’ recommendations, and the preferences of the patient and treatment center.
How Do Residential Treatment Centers Treat Narcissistic Disorder?
Residential treatment centers have the ability to test and diagnose patients for possible cases of narcissistic disorder. To do so, they may use a variety of techniques including evaluations of symptoms and signs and specific questionnaires. A physical exam may also be conducted, even though there is no lab test that can diagnose narcissistic disorder.
Holistic treatment is often an approach that proves effective for a variety of mental conditions including narcissistic disorder. This entails introducing therapy and other treatment elements that address the whole, entire person as one. This way, the root causes of unhappiness and low self-esteem can be managed and eventually alleviated.