Home Health Center Narcissistic Personality Disorder   Treatments Related To Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder


The primary treatment for Narcissistic Personality Disorder is psychotherapy. As of date there are no medications that can be prescribed to treat the condition. However, if the person also suffers from feelings of depression or anxiety, anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications may help reduce these symptoms.

There are different types of therapy that could be useful in the treatment of narcissistic personality disorder such as:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This type of therapy will help you identify negative behavior patterns and help replace them with more positive alternatives
  • Family Therapy: This type of therapy is aimed towards the patient and his family. It is based on the belief that working together to discuss conflicts and find solutions may help get to the root of the problem. Family therapy can also improve communication and prevent the recurrence of future problems
  • Group Therapy: In group therapy sessions you are given the opportunity to meet with other people affected with the same condition. This can offer you a support system as well as help you relate to others.
Therapy for narcissistic personality disorder can take years to make any difference, as personality traits are extremely difficult to change. The short-term goals of any form of therapy are to prevent any substance or alcohol abuse that may develop as a coping mechanism and to treat depression and low self-esteem. In the long-term, psychotherapy aims to change your self-image and create one that is more based on reality. Therapy can also help improve relationships and make them more rewarding and enjoyable. 
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References
  1. Blais MA, Smallwood P, Groves JE, Rivas-Vazquez RA. Personality and personality disorders. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadellphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 39.
  2. L. Bobadilla, J. Taylor, Antisocial and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, In: Editor-in-Chief: V.S. Ramachandran, Editor(s)-in-Chief, Encyclopedia of Human Behavior (Second Edition), Academic Press, San Diego, 2012, Pages 154-160, ISBN 9780080961804, 10.1016/B978-0-12-375000-6.00026-4.