Psychological Disorders: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

American Description
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
requires excessive admiration
has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

European Description
THe ICD-10 does not specifically define the characteristics of this personality disorder. Instead, this disorder is classified in the category "Other Specific Personality Disorders".

ICD-10 states that Narcissistic Personality Disorder is "a personality disorder that fits none of the specific rubrics F60.0-F60.7". That is, this personality disorder does not meet the diagnostic criteria for any of the following:

* F60.0 Paranoid personality disorder
* F60.1 Schizoid personality disorder
* F60.2 Dissocial (antisocial) personality disorder
* F60.3 Emotionally unstable (borderline) personality disorder
* F60.4 Histrionic personality disorder
* F60.5 Anankastic (obsessive-compulsive) personality disorder
* F60.6 Anxious (avoidant) personality disorder
* F60.7 Dependent personality disorder

Includes:
* eccentric, "haltlose" type, immature, narcisstic, passive-aggressive, and psychoneurotic personality disorder