Does Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatment Work?

While the exact causes of narcissistic personality disorder are unknown, it likely stems from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which may include childhood abuse or exposure to parenting methods that are either overly strict or overly indulgent during a child’s formative years. Narcissistic personality disorder affects an estimated one in every sixteen adults, with over sixty percent of those diagnosed being male.

Before treatment for NPD can begin, a mental health professional will make a diagnosis by determining whether an individual fulfills specific criteria laid out in the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). These criteria include pathological antagonism, characterized by feelings of entitlement and excessive attempts to seek attention and admiration, along with personality impairments that impact both the individual’s independent functioning and interpersonal functioning. These impairments:

• Are stable and consistent over time and across different situations,
• Can’t be explained by environmental factors or the affected individual’s developmental stage, and
• Aren’t caused by drug use, medication, or another medical condition.

If a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder is made, treatment is necessary to mitigate its life-disrupting effects. If left untreated, individuals with NPD are likely to experience personal and professional difficulties and may feel constantly disappointed and frustrated with their lives.

A significant obstacle in the path to receiving appropriate professional treatment for narcissistic personality disorder comes from the nature of the disorder itself, in that those afflicted with it are often unwilling—or even unable—to recognize the existence of the problem. Denial is a characteristic of the disease: People with NPD frequently refuse to acknowledge that any problems in their lives may be caused by their disorder. When compounded with a lack of empathy for others, this can lead to an inability to see—or care—how their behavior damages their personal and professional relationships.

There’s good news: Help is available, and effective treatment for narcissistic disorder is possible, though the client must be willing to accept it. An important first step toward encouraging someone with NPD to undergo treatment is convincing them of the need to address the problem. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder are more likely to seek treatment if they see it as a way of mending damaged relationships with family members or friends affected by their behavior.

Bear in mind that it may be difficult to circumvent the defense mechanisms of someone with NPD and convince them of the necessity of treatment. It’s helpful to approach the condition without judgment or blame and to recognize that recovery is likely to be a lengthy and ongoing process.

While narcissistic personality disorder can’t be cured, it can be treated and managed through therapy. Medications are not often used to directly treat NPD, but they may be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to treat co-occurring conditions, such as addictions or mood or anxiety disorders. Various forms of psychotherapy have been shown to be effective at treating NPD, including:

• Group therapy, in which clients can connect with others who struggle with similar
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

In CBT, clients learn how to replace unhelpful or damaging thoughts and behaviors with more realistic ones. DBT, meanwhile, is a specialized branch of CBT with an added emphasis on a client’s social and emotional relationships. Through psychotherapy, a client can learn better methods of communicating with others, which can help them improve and mend personal relationships damaged by their condition. Psychotherapy can also help clients understand the root causes of their emotions, gain more control over their feelings, and accept responsibility for their actions.

Because a client’s family members are often greatly affected by this condition, family therapy is frequently included as a part of treatment. Family therapy can increase awareness of the damaging effects of NPD and help rebuild relationships weakened or destroyed by this disorder.

To receive the best treatment for narcissistic personality disorder, an inpatient recovery program at a residential mental health treatment facility is strongly recommended. Inpatient programs provide a distraction-free environment in which the focus is solely on healing and recovery; qualified mental health professionals provide high-level support and encouragement customized to the needs of each client. While enrolled in an inpatient program, individuals can receive fully integrated treatment for any co-occurring conditions, such as drug or alcohol dependency, that might otherwise impair recovery. By removing clients from environments that might contribute to or aggravate their condition, residential treatment centers give them the best chance for healing.