* I just came across this definition of what Narcissistic Personality Disorder is. I never saw this one before, so thought I'd post:
NPD is a destructive mental condition belonging to the DSM-IV Axis II Cluster B type personality disorders. Otto Kernberg described the chief characteristics of NPD well. He said they present an unusual degree of self-reference in their interactions with other people, a great need to be loved and admired by others, and a curious apparent contradiction between a m inflated concept of themselves and an inordinate need for tribute from others.
Their emotional life is shallow. They experience little empathy for others and obtain little enjoyment from life, except when receiving tributes from others or from their own grandiose fantasies. They feel restless and bored when external glitter wears off and no new sources feed their self-regard.
They envy others, tend to idealize some people for narcissistic supply, and depreciate and treat with contempt those from whom they do not expect anything (often their former idols). In general, their relationships with other people are clearly exploitative and sometimes parasitic. It is as if they feel they have the right to control and possess others and to exploit them without guilt feelings and, behind a surface which very often is charming and engaging, one senses coldness and ruthlessness.
