Malignant narcissism is a form of narcissism that includes tendencies towards antisocial and paranoid disorders. Medications and therapies can help address symptoms, but patients may be difficult to treat and may not recognize they have a problem.
Malignant narcissism is a form of narcissism, in which a patient becomes self-obsessed and anxious about how they are perceived by others, which includes tendencies towards antisocial and paranoid disorders, as well as just narcissism. This is not a formal clinical diagnosis, although mental health professionals have debated it since the mid-20th century. Patients believed to have malignant narcissism may benefit from medications and therapies to address their symptoms.
Narcissism often appears in conjunction with other psychiatric disorders. The origins are not fully understood, but patients generally experience a sense of self-importance and grandeur. Many are very concerned about how they are perceived and may experience feelings of inadequacy and need for approval. In malignant narcissism, people may be more aggressive in furthering their own ends. They tend to have less empathy for others around them, although they can and will identify with people they view as role models.
People with malignant narcissism can express fears about how they are perceived in very paranoid ways. They may have delusions about people talking about them when they are not around or believing things that are not true about them, and may be aggressive and sometimes violent when confronted with the objects of their delusions. Lack of empathy for others can lead people to think of malignant narcissists as callous and cold, especially when coupled with their aggression, as they can harm others physically or emotionally.
Medications can sometimes be helpful when imbalances in brain chemistry are at least partially responsible for this condition. Drug treatment options vary, and a patient should be carefully evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine the best course of treatment. These drugs can help with delusions and can allow the patient to see the world more clearly. Therapy to explore the origins of narcissism, as well as how it is expressed, is also critical and patients may need to maintain an extended therapeutic relationship.
People with malignant narcissism and other personality disorders can be difficult to treat. They may not recognize that they have a problem and suggesting that they seek evaluation and treatment can lead to hostility and anger. People who are concerned about friends, family, colleagues, and other people they interact with can consult a mental health professional for advice on appropriate interventions in a specific case. Once patients are in treatment, they have the opportunity to work with a therapist to learn more about their conditions and how to manage them.
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