Once upon a time, in a land of social media and reality TV, the word “narcissist” started getting thrown around with surprising frequency. But Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) isn’t just a TV trope or being selfie-obsessed or having a slightly inflated ego. It’s more like living in a hall of mirrors where every reflection is a distorted version of reality. And it is an actual personality disorder that should be treated as one.

Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

So, what does NPD look like? It’s not just about loving your reflection a bit too much. People with NPD often have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. But beneath this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

Imagine a friend who not only thinks they’re the life of the party but also gets offended if not everyone agrees. Or a partner who seems charming and confident but can’t handle you disagreeing with them. It’s like walking on eggshells, except the eggshells have egos.

The Causes of NPD: It’s Complicated

Narcissistic Personality Disorder doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere. It’s more complex, more nuanced.

Let’s start at the beginning. Family. It’s where we learn to love, to bond, and apparently, where some of us learn to fall a little too in love with ourselves. For some, the story of NPD begins with parenting that’s extreme one way or another—either too hot or too cold.

On one hand, you have excessive pampering. Think of a child treated not just as special, but so special that the sun might as well rise and set just for them. On the other hand, there’s excessive criticism—never being good enough, always being compared to someone better.

In both cases, the message is warped. The child learns that love and worth are tied to achievements, appearances, or pleasing others—a recipe for a fragile ego dressed up as a giant ego.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Emotional Trauma

Sometimes, NPD stems from emotional trauma. This could be abuse, neglect, or even just unpredictable parental care. It’s like the child puts on armor to protect themselves, and this armor is made of narcissistic traits. It’s a way of saying, “I’ll never let myself be vulnerable again.”

It reveals a need for control, the lack of empathy, the sense of superiority – it’s all a way to shield that inner, wounded self.

Nature’s Role

Genetics can play a part, as well. While there’s no “narcissism gene” per se, personality traits do have a way of being passed down the genetic highway. So, if you’re thinking, “Well, Uncle Joe always did love a mirror,” there might be something to that.

Society and Culture

Lastly, let’s talk about the world we live in. A society that often rewards self-promotion, material success, and personal achievement can be a breeding ground for narcissistic traits. It’s like adding fertilizer to our narcissism seed—it just helps it grow all the more.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatment

There’s no magic pill, but there’s hope.

Treating NPD isn’t like fixing a broken arm. There’s no cast you can put on someone’s personality. But there is therapy – and it doesn’t involve sitting in a room surrounded by mirrors. Treatment typically involves talk therapy (psychotherapy). It’s about gently challenging the person’s belief systems, exploring the reasons behind their behaviors, and teaching them better ways to relate to others.

It’s not a quick fix. Change requires the person to first acknowledge there’s a problem, which, let’s be honest, is a bit of a Catch-22 when it comes to narcissism. But with patience, persistence, and professional help, people with NPD can develop healthier ways of understanding themselves and relating to others.

NPD and Getting Help

Narcissistic Personality Disorder isn’t a fairy tale; it is a legitimate personality disorder, and it doesn’t have a magical ending. But understanding and treatment can lead to a better life—not just for those with NPD, but for everyone around them.

So, if you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, reach out for help. It might not be a journey filled with rainbows and butterflies, but it’s a journey worth taking. After all, the most important relationship we have is the one with ourselves—and sometimes, that relationship needs a bit of professional help.

More questions? Call Lido Wellness Center a call at 949-541-8466. Nestled in Newport Beach, our program is all about understanding and healing, not just pointing fingers. It’s a safe space to untangle the knots, one gentle pull at a time. Remember, seeking help isn’t a weakness; it’s the bravest thing you can do.

In the woven tapestry of the human mind, emotions, behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs weave together to create patterns that define our personalities. Sometimes these strands tangle up or divert in such a way that it becomes important to find help to make sense of the pattern. Borderline personality disorder represents one of these instances.

Emotional instability and mood swings are the typical telltale symptoms. However, these are not simple outbursts. These feelings come at an intensity that would seem alien to a neurotypical individual.

Sadness is not a whisper; it is a howl. Annoyance doesn’t pinch; it stabs through you. Emotions don’t just fade away; they linger and take center stage in life.

What are the signs of BPD?

While everyone experiences emotions, not everyone has the same level of control over their emotions. On the far end of the emotional control spectrum is a mental illness called borderline personality disorder, or BPD. Someone with BPD will struggle to control their emotions, often acting impulsively. The following are key signs that you or someone you love may have BPD.

Emotional Instability and Mood Swings

People with BPD feel emotions very intensely. A situation that makes most people sad may cause someone with BPD to be inconsolable. Instead of being mildly annoyed, someone with BPD may become very angry. These negative moods and emotions often linger, and the person has difficulty breaking free of them.

Intense, Unstable Relationships

In relationships, people with BPD find a litany of highs and lows. Anger, despair, joy, and happiness are very close to the surface. This is why many describe it as a bit of a roller coaster. This means relationships typically take a lot of work to maintain—or they fall apart.

Poor Self-Image

People with BPD often have a distorted opinion of themselves. They may see themselves entirely differently than their friends see them. Or, they may have a lack of self-image. Someone with BPD may claim they don’t know who they are or who they want to be.

Impulsive and Self-Harming Behaviors

The mood swings and poor self-image that come with BPD can lead to impulsive and self-harming behaviors. These can present in many different ways. Some patients with BPD may cut themselves. Eating disorders, shopping addictions, and kleptomania are all quite common.

Feelings of Emptiness and Abandonment

A person with BPD may say they feel empty and abandoned. Sometimes this results from their struggling relationships, but it can also be related to their lack of self-image. Chronic feelings of emptiness may perpetuate more impulsive behaviors. The individual may need to act impulsively to “feel something.”

Borderline personality disorder can make it difficult for someone to learn, hold down a job, and form meaningful relationships with others – but there is hope. Several types of psychotherapy, including schema-focused therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), have proven helpful. Some patients also find relief with antidepressants and mood-stabilizing medications.

Hope for People With BPD

Uncertainty, impulsivity, and intense emotions don’t have to dominate the scene. Instead, they can be restructured—shaped into a vibrant, well-managed life—a testament to resilience and determination.

The waves of emotion can be given a new rhythm, moving with the gentle sway of mindfulness and emotional regulation skills—the tools and techniques learned in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Relationships once filled with volatility are now blossoming with trust and understanding. The intensity of emotions that often led to strife and disconnection has become a source of empathy and profound connection. Bonds become stronger as those with BPD learn to communicate their feelings and needs, transforming their relationships into safe harbors, their lighthouses in moments of emotional fog.

Imagine the sense of emptiness and abandonment replaced with a sense of belonging. The aching void gradually filled with a newfound understanding of self-worth and acceptance. The individual begins to appreciate solitude without feeling abandoned, feeling content in their own company.

So, what does a well-managed life with BPD look like? It looks like human life’s complexity, colors, and emotional richness: resilience, growth, and embracing one’s unique emotional landscape. If you’re walking this path or know someone who is, remember—t’s not just about surviving but thriving and celebrating wellness existence in its entirety.

Want to talk more? Call Lido Wellness today for a free BPD consultation.

Today we’re delving into the enigmatic realm of Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD). Picture this: chronic feelings of social anxiety and fearful thinking swirling around, wreaking havoc in all corners of an individual’s life. Sound familiar? Let’s dive in to understand the ins and outs of AvPD truly.

AvPD is like an uninvited guest, affecting every aspect of a person’s existence, from the mundane to the profound. Social fears are its specialty, with added aspects of low self-esteem, inadequate feelings, and a strong sensitivity to criticism. It thrives on the fear of shame, becoming a master at whispering doubts and insecurities into the ears of its victims. As a result, those dealing with AvPD will avoid social settings as much as possible.

Main Features of AvPD

AvPD tends to start early – it might creep into childhood, but it usually takes center stage by adulthood. According to those studying the human psyche, AvPD shows its true colors when four or more of its main symptoms emerge in early adulthood.

AvPD symptoms can lead to severe social isolation and interference with relationships. If you have AvPD, your social fears come from low self-esteem, such as inadequacy and sensitivity to criticism. As a result, you might avoid social interactions, new activities, and interpersonal connections.

Symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder

As stated before, AvPD can become noticeable in childhood, but most personality disorders aren’t usually diagnosed until a person is at least 18 years old. According to the DSM-V, people with AvPD will experience four or more of the following symptoms by early adulthood:

• Avoids work tasks that involve social interaction due to fears of criticism or rejection
• Unwilling to get involved with people unless they are sure of being liked
• Refrains from intimate relationships due to the fear of being shamed
• Preoccupied with being criticized in everyday social situations
• Shows inhibition in new interpersonal situations because they feel inadequate
• Views themselves as socially inept or inferior to others
• Unwilling to participate in new activities that might lead to feelings of embarrassment

How AvPD Affects an Individual’s Life

A person with avoidant personality disorder has difficulty functioning in everyday life, which can limit success, learning, and new relationships. AvPD can manifest in your life in the following ways:

•     Daily life: If you have AvPD, you might avoid everyday social interactions and any activities that involve interacting with others.
•     Relationships: Someone with AvPD struggles to make new friendships or relationships. They might frequently decline invitations to events. As a result of having trouble communicating, maintaining close relationships can also be challenging.
•     Overall well-being: Avoidant personality disorder can affect an individual’s ability to grow and learn. They might avoid taking a class because they fear receiving negative feedback. In the workplace, one might decline a promotion because they feel unworthy.

Treatment Options for Avoidant Personality Disorder

As difficult as avoidant personality disorder can be, there is hope in therapies like CBT, DBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Medications—antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics—are also effective in helping manage the anxiety and depression that often comes with AvPD.

Therapy

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Medication

While no medications are prescribed specifically for AvPD, antidepressants, certain mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Examples include paroxetine, sertraline, and gabapentin.

Getting Help with Avoidant Personality Disorder in Newport Beach

So, if you or someone you hold dear finds themselves managing Avoidant Personality Disorder, take heart! With understanding, support, and a help from a mental health facility Newport Beach like Lido Wellness Center, one can learn to manage the shadows of AvPD and embrace a life of connection and self-acceptance. Want to talk more? Call us at: 949-541-8466.