And most of us suffer to some extent from some measure of pathological or neurotic narcissism as well. We all need some measure of healthy narcissism to get on in the world, which is related to self-esteem, confidence, sense of significance, etc.

Having said that, the fact is that narcissism is a pervasive, endemic aspect of contemporary life, and exists to varying degrees in each and every one of us. It is commonly only at that critical point that the pathological narcissist is most likely to seek therapy.) (In my clinical experience, the narcissist does unconsciously suffer from his or her childhood wounds, and, ultimately, from the negative effects on interpersonal relationships engendered by his or her narcissistic defenses. Unlike other mental disorders involving depression or anxiety, for instance, personality disorders such as NPD (or Antisocial Personality Disorder) are less characterized by egodystonic subjective suffering than by suffering inflicted upon others, in the form of cruelty, verbal abusiveness, manipulation, deception, and, in more extreme cases, physical violence. To begin with, we would do well to remember that Narcissistic Personality Disorder, like any other mental disorder or specific psychopathology, must, by definition, be a) statistically deviant from the norm, and b) associated with clinically significant distress, impairment or disability or with significant risk of negative consequences to self and/or others. But what is the true nature and etiology of this treacherous intersection between NPD and APD? I refer to this morbid condition as psychopathic narcissism (see my prior posts) to connote the nexus between pathological narcissism and sociopathy. For this reason, I have proposed the creation of a new hybrid diagnosis of Antisocial/Narcissistic Personality in which, while the criteria for neither one may be completely met, this confluence of symptoms and behaviors together comprise a deceptively destructive, dangerous, and sometimes even deadly character disorder. And the occurrence of this combination seems to be on the rise. Such individuals might commonly be described diagnostically as suffering from Antisocial Personality Disorder with Narcissistic Traits, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder with Antisocial Traits. However, it is clear to many mental health professionals today that APD can include narcissistic traits and that NPD can sometimes include antisocial or sociopathic traits. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) are two distinct mental disorders and traditionally not typically diagnosed in tandem by clinicians.

Narcissism pathological lying