Beauties, we often label people who like taking selfies, are overly confident, or like to brag about themselves as “narcissistic”. Many people think that being narcissistic is bad, but in reality that's not always the case, you know!
More than that, there is also an opinion that narcissism is a mental disorder. Hmmm, which one do you think is correct?
Let's look at the meaning of narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder, and the differences between the two!
Narcissism
Difference between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder/Photo: Freepik
Reporting from Psychcentral, narcissism refers to feelings of self-importance, where this can be seen in a spectrum of human personality traits that move from healthy narcissism to unhealthy narcissism.
According to Dr. Kristi K. Phillips, a psychologist from Minnesota, healthy narcissism talks about positive feelings towards oneself. People with a healthy self-image can balance high self-esteem with prosocial attitudes, that is, good interpersonal relationships.
Meanwhile, pathological narcissism causes disruption of social relationships and creates stress on individuals. According to Phillips, the characteristics can appear in the form of authoritarianism, envy, a sense of self-aggrandizement, shallowness, and a lack of empathy and regret. Long-lasting traits of narcissism have the potential to lead someone to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.
In essence, healthy narcissism is on one side. In the middle of the spectrum, several narcissistic traits can emerge based on their severity. The other side is pathological narcissism, which is the most severe level of narcissistic traits that can interfere with daily life.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Difference between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder/Photo: Freepik/cookie_studio
Narcissistic personality disorder is a formal mental health condition that can only be identified by professionals based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5-TR).
To make a diagnosis, at least the symptoms must meet certain requirements and appear persistently for a certain period of time. The symptoms that appear make it difficult for a person to have relationships with other people, identify their identity, work and lifestyle.
The following are 9 formal symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
Self-aggrandizement or self-importance Fantasies of success and power Sense of entitlement Not being aware of one's narcissistic actions Need to be constantly admired and praised Using manipulation tactics to take advantage of others Limited or poor empathy Sense of competitiveness, distrust, and jealousy Condescending and boasting about oneself others
Differences between Narcissistic Traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Difference between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder/Photo: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
In essence, narcissistic traits may appear occasionally in everyday life. For example, Beauties believe that Beauties are more skilled and experienced than Beauties friends who are new to a field.
Meanwhile, narcissistic personality disorder is something that should be consulted with a professional, because the symptoms appear in various situations continuously and interfere with the quality of daily life.
In addition, according to Rachel Ann Dine, a counselor in Virginia, people with narcissistic traits can know and realize that their actions have hurt other people. Meanwhile, people with NPD disorders do not realize and do not feel that their actions are detrimental.
Differences can also be seen from their relationships with other people. “People with narcissistic traits may be reluctant to admit mistakes or accept criticism, but they can still do so even in limited contexts,” explains Dine.
This is different for people with NPD, where when they feel that another person is no longer profitable or is even a threat to them, they will “throw away” that person.
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