Narcissism doesn’t have the best reputation. When people talk about this term, they tend to associate it with the idea of someone being completely self-absorbed or self-focused, displaying little regard for others. While one form of narcissism may present this way, people often don’t realize that there’s an entire spectrum related to narcissistic behavior. For example, there are healthy levels of narcissism. Believe it or not, we all have narcissistic tendencies. It’s these tendencies that compel us to dress nicely around others or to put our best foot forward when meeting other people. Those who have severely high levels of narcissism can classify as having a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) – but even in these cases, recovery is possible.
Narcissism: The Up Side
Previous studies have found that people with narcissism tend to experience a form of mental “toughness” which can lead to greater achievements in higher education as well as long-term success. This is because narcissism can elevate a person’s sense of self, causing them to become more motivated and driven in their personal and professional endeavors. Those with a healthy amount of narcissism can experience greater satisfaction in life, enhanced connections to others, and less social anxiety. Compared to the negative association that people tend to have with the concept of narcissism, the reality is that it’s not all bad.
Grandiose vs. Vulnerable Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Sometimes, levels of narcissism surpass those found to be healthy. In these cases, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) might develop. Typically, NPD falls into two categories: grandiose NPD and vulnerable NPD. Grandiose NPD is often what people assume when they think of narcissism. It involves an over-inflated sense of self, associating only with people who make the narcissistic individual “look” good, and a lack of empathy towards others. Vulnerable NPD, on the other hand, can cause people to feel as though they’re never good enough. Individuals with vulnerable NPD often demonstrate a low sense of self-esteem and tend to fear rejection.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Addiction Recovery
Mental health disorders, such as NPD, commonly co-occur with substance use disorders. Often, individuals struggling with mental health self medicate, seeking relief from their symptoms through the use of drugs and/or alcohol. If you are suffering from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol as a result of NPD, or any mental health disorder, there is hope. You can recover from addiction and the mental health issues that initiated drug and/or alcohol use, to begin with. Avalon Malibu is a licensed mental health and substance abuse treatment center. We are committed to providing our clients with the care they need to treat their addiction and co-occurring mental health issues, simultaneously. Call us today to learn more, at 844-857-5992.
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