Is narcissism a mental disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a type of personality disorder which is a mental disorder, it is characterised with a long term pattern of abnormal behaviour with inflated sense of self-importance, excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

Narcissistic personality disorder is classified within cluster B personality disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. NPD is characterized by persistent grandiosity, sense of entitlement, lack of empathy and require excessive admiration, often demand the “best” and reacts to criticism with rage.

At one time, personality disorders were not acknowledged as a form of mental illness. However, as psychiatrists and psychologists learned more about the specifics of these conditions, it became clear that personality disorders, including NPD, can be legitimately classified as mental health disorders.

These traits are easy to spot in the people who exhibit them often, and people who have it engage in some of the unique behaviors. People with the disorder are usually self-centered and ambitious. Up to six percent of American adults endure the symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of NPD. Many health experts indicate that everyone is capable of narcissistic behavior sometimes.