Narcissists are people with narcissistic personality disorder, while psychopaths have a range of different character traits. But because a psychopath is usually narcissistic, does that also mean that a narcissist is psychopathic? How do you know if someone is a narcissist or a psychopath?
Narcissist or psychopath
What is a narcissist
People with narcissistic personality disorder are characterised by a profound and long-term, exaggerated sense of self-importance and egotism, along with a complete lack of empathy for others. They believe they are entitled to prestige and power because their distorted thought pattern gives them an excessive sense of superiority.
Narcissists are excessively grandiose, either in their imagination or in their behaviour, and have a constant need for admiration. The complete lack of empathy for others makes them egotists. Narcissism becomes evident by early adulthood and presents itself in a variety of ways. Five of the following nine criteria must be met for a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder:
- Exaggerated complacency
- Fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance or beauty
- The conviction that he or she is unique and should only be surrounded by high-ranking people or institutions
- A craving for excessive admiration
- sense of entitlement
- Exploitative behaviour
- A lack of empathy
- Envy of others or the belief that others are envious of him or her
- Arrogant and haughty attitude
Narcissist or psychopath: What is a psychopath as opposed to a narcissist?
Typical emotional characteristics of a psychopath are a lack of guilt, empathy and bonding with other people. The interpersonal characteristics of psychopathy are superficial charm and narcissism. Typical behaviours of the psychopath are ruthlessness and dishonest, manipulative and risk-taking actions.
According to the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy, narcissism is an interpersonal symptom of psychopathy. Indeed, symptoms of narcissism such as grandiosity, exploitative behaviour and a lack of empathy are common in psychopaths. A psychopath could and probably would fit the diagnosis for narcissistic personality disorder, therefore psychopaths are narcissists.
Psychopaths are narcissistic, are narcissists also psychopaths?
Even if there is overlap and a person fits the criteria for narcissistic personality disorder, it does not mean that person is a psychopath. To be considered a psychopath, other psychopathic traits come into play such as a lack of bonding ability, superficial charm, dishonesty, manipulation and reckless risk taking. Certainly, psychopathic narcissists exist, but they are not the norm.
Is Donald Trump a narcissist?
Several experts believe that President Donald Trump suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It was recently described in the American Journal of Psychiatry as "significant dysfunction and psychosocial disability". There are apparently two variants of the disorder, with Trump said to belong to the thick-skinned, outspoken type who can be socially charming despite having no sense of other people's need and exhibiting exploitative behaviour.
What is the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?
Sociopath and Psychopath - What is the difference?
What are personality disorders?
In psychological terms, personality is defined as the way of thinking, feeling and behaving that makes a person unique and distinguishes them from others. Genetics, environment and experiences influence personality, and unlike transient moods or emotions, personality usually remains relatively stable throughout life.
A person is diagnosed with a personality disorder when their thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns deviate from cultural norms and expectations, cause distress or significant problems in functioning in society, and persist over time.
Typically, personality disorders (such as narcissist or psychopath) affect the way a person thinks about themselves and others, how they react emotionally, how they relate to others and how they control your behaviour.
As these personality disorders are often portrayed in cinema and in the news and manifest in similar ways, they are often conflated and confused with each other.
However, it is important to understand that these are two different diseases, each with its own symptoms and diagnostic criteria, in order to avoid a wrong diagnosis.
