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narcissists and Meyers/Briggs personality type?

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mighty mouse:
My parents had a narcissistic family set up and even though I am not ready to label my Mom as having NPD, I do know for sure that my younger sister has NPD.

She is also an INFP personality type. And it seems that there are similarities to her personality type and her NPD.  

Does anybody have any thoughts or done any research on a possible correlation? Or maybe a predisposition. Or even where I could find out more information regarding a possible link.

Thanks for any input.

Moighty Mouse

Tokyojim:
I have studied and had experience with the Myers-Briggs, and do not see how NPD would fit in.  However, you might want to look at the Enneagram.  It is a system that is similar in that it types by certain dimensions.  Within each personality type, the person can tend toward a healthy, average, or unhealthy direction.  It is very specific about two types that if they continue to go into the unhealthy direction, they can result in NPD (or other dysfunctions).  I like it because it recognizes this tendencies of these types without using labels.  It also describes the healthy attributes of each personality and what each should be cautious of and strive for.  In other words, catch pathology before it gets out of control.  It is also useful and understanding the motivations, fears, and desires of the NPD.

Anonymous:

--- Quote from: Tokyojim ---I have studied and had experience with the Myers-Briggs, and do not see how NPD would fit in.  However, you might want to look at the Enneagram.  It is a system that is similar in that it types by certain dimensions.  Within each personality type, the person can tend toward a healthy, average, or unhealthy direction.  

I have scant experience of the Enneagram. But I'll look into it.

But I have read the David Kiersey book "Please Understand Me" in which he describes the NF personality types as being irascable, leaning towards romanticism and fantasy and being easily offended. Some of the same traits as people with NPD. Kiersey also said something about the INFP personality type getting better with age and being more fully integrated in their forties. And Sam Vadkin (sp?) mentioned that sometimes people with NPD will get better in their forties.

In my sisters case, I just thought she was a very unhappy INFP. But after much reading, she has classic NPD. BTW, I think INFPs are supposed to be very nice people, so no offense to any INFPs. My sister is very destructive and thinks she is very benign and wants everyone to protect her in a childlike way. She takes offense extremely easily and sends off vitriolic emails and stalks people. Whew. I had to ignore her for a whole year before she quit sending me emails, snail mail and I had to block her phone number from my phone.....a regular campaign of terror.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

Mighty Mouse
--- End quote ---

Anonymous:
Yow!

I'm not really an expert in personality types, although I have read a bunch about it.  I am an INFP, sensitive, etc. but not N (at least I hope not).   In other words, not all INFPs are N and not all Ns are INFPs.  Many are LOUD and BOISTEROUS.  The key ingredient to Nness is lack of empathy.  Your sister could have another PD that coexists with N.  You may want to visit bdpcentral to see if any of that information fits your experiences with your sister.  I don't think personality types explain stalking.  

I would ignore anything Sam Vaknin has to say unless it is verified somewhere else...IMHO.

Hope this is useful.  Just had to reply, being an INFP!  But don't worry, I am not offended (I wished my smilies still worked...).  Take care, Seeker

Anonymous:
hi - i don't think any particular Myers-Briggs type would be more likely to be an N than another.  i'm also an INFP (and not an N, i hope) - my Nmother is an ESTJ.

i do think that the Myers-Briggs might tell you something about how your N operates.  i'm sure that an N INFP would display, in general, different behaviors than an N ESTJ.

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