At some point, everyone has met someone they suspect is a narcissist. What they may not know is that this condition is not just a case of a big ego someone can switch off. Narcissism is classified as a mental health disorder and requires treatment. Can narcissism be cured? The short answer is no, it cannot. However, with the expert care provided at New View Wellness in Atlanta, symptoms can be managed, allowing a person to have better relationships with themselves and their loved ones.
What Is Narcissism?
While many people can be considered to have a high opinion of themselves and brag a lot, that doesn’t mean they have narcissism. Narcissistic personality disorder is actually a mental health disorder that can be diagnosed by a mental health professional. A person who has it spends a great deal of time and energy seeking attention and thinking they are better than other people. They believe everyone should admire and envy them for a variety of reasons, which can include their physical looks, their accomplishments, their possessions in life, and more.
Ironically, narcissistic behavior often masks the person’s insecurities and fear that they do not live up to their own hype. When criticized, or if they even perceive themselves to be criticized, they often lash out at others. Narcissism is more common in males and often begins when the person is a teenager or young adult.
Someone who fits the criteria for narcissism often finds it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Their condition affects their ability to interact in a rational and fair way with family members, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, and others. Their behavior often alienates those around them, leaving them frustrated and unaware that they create their own problems when their disease goes untreated.
Can Narcissism Be Cured?
Can narcissism be cured? No, but the good news is it can be managed with quality treatment. Narcissism has something in common with other mental health disorders like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. While they all negatively impact relationships, each condition can improve with effective help from trained mental health care providers. If the person receives care that helps open their eyes to the fact that they suffer from a mental health disorder, much progress can be made.
How Can I Tell If Someone is a Narcissist?
Before answering the question “Can narcissism be cured?”, it’s important to learn if a person has the condition. Someone who has a narcissistic personality disorder will show signs of it. While not everyone exhibits the same symptoms, many of the common ones include the following:
- Behaves in a way that makes others believe they have a truly inflated ego.
- Exaggerates their accomplishments, skill sets, and talents.
- Tends to belittle other people both to their faces and behind their backs.
- An extreme need to constantly receive compliments, recognition, and admiration.
- Assume they are owed special treatment and privileges not available to the average person.
- Makes themselves the star or hero/heroine of every story they tell about themselves.
- Prefer only to spend time with people they believe are worthy of their presence.
- Assume everyone envies them and wants to be like them and live as they do.
- Expect others to fulfill favors and act in a way the narcissist insists on without questions.
- Does not recognize or acknowledge other people’s points of view.
- Acts and speaks in ways that hurt other people’s feelings without taking responsibility for it.
Is There a Treatment Program for Narcissism?
Treatment consists of using talk therapy to help the individual recognize their illness. It begins with receiving a diagnosis from a mental health care provider. From there, multiple types of therapy can be used to work on accomplishing several goals, including:
- Learning to have empathy for others
- Self-reflecting in a realistic manner
- Regulating emotions
- Accepting others as they are without needing to compare themselves or judge them
- Learning to accept criticism from others
- Developing realistic goals for their lives
- Recognizing that everyone has strengths and flaws
- Building themselves up in a healthy way without having to put others down
Some people who have a narcissistic personality disorder also have other mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety. In addition, many narcissists struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. When this occurs, it’s important to receive a full diagnosis of all conditions. A quality treatment program can address both mental illness and addiction at the same time. This saves the person time and money while they work on improving their lives.
Many narcissists respond well to outpatient treatment. Outpatient care consists of several levels of programs that take place during the day. This allows the individual to attend a set amount of therapy sessions during weekdays without having to move into a residential facility.
Seek Help For Narcissism in Atlanta, GA
If you or someone you love deals with this particular mental illness, you may wonder “Can narcissism be cured?” While there is no cure, effective treatments exist that can help a person understand this condition and improve their symptoms. New View Wellness in Atlanta uses several types of therapy that improve a person’s mental health and teaches them to develop healthy coping skills. We match each person to the level of outpatient care they need, including a variety of therapies and any necessary medications.
For more information about getting treated for narcissism, visit our admissions page now.