Your narcissism likely impacts those closest to you, like family members. A narcissistic parent may train their child to focus only on what the parent wants, instead of focusing on what their child needs. It can be really difficult for a child to overcome this because they may lack experience knowing who they are or what they need.

Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist in private practice in San Jose, CA, and the co-creator of Project Reciprocity, an international program at Facebook's Headquarters, and a consultant with Digital Ocean’s Safety Team. He specializes in assisting high-achieving adults with relationship issues, stress reduction, anxiety, and attaining more happiness in their lives. In 2016 he gave a well-watched TEDx talk about men and emotions. Dr. Dorsay has a M.A. in Counseling from Santa Clara University and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2008.

You might benefit greatly from family therapy, since this allows you to work directly with loved ones in identifying triggers and defenses and developing alternative strategies. You may be tempted to feel initially that everyone is “piling on” in criticizing you, but keep your goals and mind and remember that everyone is there to help you.

Your therapist might employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in order to help you formulate new strategies for your problematic behaviors. You might, for instance, visualize or talk through various scenarios and work on new ways of approaching how you respond to them.

Some therapists view NPD treatment as similar in ways to addiction recovery treatment. That is to say, the patient needs to develop strategies for avoiding, working around, and denying (when necessary) the triggers that send them down a destructive path. Like others in recovery, you must be willing to admit you have a problem and be dedicated to making positive changes.

You most likely have a range of defense mechanisms that you employ to block anything that challenges or contradicts your self-perception. In order to build an individualized treatment plan, your therapist must identify these defenses with you so you can both find ways to work around them.

During your initial sessions, your therapist will try to get to know you and build a rapport with you. Don’t get defensive or be evasive when they ask you about your life, your past, or your struggles. If you truly want to make a change in your life, you must be open, honest, and engaged in the process.

Treatment for NPD itself is focused exclusively on psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”)—that is, regular meetings with a mental health professional. However, if you have related or additional mental health concerns—things like depression or anxiety, for instance—you may also be prescribed medications or other treatments as well.

It will likely go against every fiber or your being to admit that you have a “disorder” that some so-called “expert” can correctly diagnose. Keep reminding yourself that a diagnosis is not a personal attack on you or a judgment of your character. Rather, the diagnosis is simply a way to identify a key component of your personality and look for strategies that can adjust it to the betterment of your overall health.

It’s hard enough, as someone with narcissistic traits, to go to a “regular” doctor and admit there might be a problem. It's even more difficult to admit the same to a specialist. Fight your urge to say that everyone is wrong about you and incompetent, and go to the appointment.

Make an appointment with your primary care physician and give a general explanation of your concern—something like, “I’ve been feeling depressed a lot lately,” or, “I don’t understand why I can’t sustain friendships or romantic relationships.” The doctor will likely start by giving you a physical exam, to check for any physical issues that might be affecting your emotional health.

You may have a history of pushing loved ones away due to your tendencies toward self-absorption and lack of empathy. However, in order to get the help you need and stick with it, you’ll require the support of as many caring people as possible.

Accepting that you’re a narcissist is very difficult, and treating it may be even more challenging. After all, you have to be willing to let go of fundamental aspects of your self-perception and replace them with a more balanced sense of self that can accept shortcomings and imperfections.

You probably tend to see the criticism (constructive or otherwise) of others as evidence of their shortcomings, and don’t want to admit any of the criticism could be valid. However, try very hard to look at things from others’ perspectives and see how your behaviors may contribute to their views.

You'll probably never say to yourself, “I think I have Narcissistic Personality Disorder—I should get help for that.” Rather, if you do choose to seek help, it’s likely because you're concerned about impacts you don’t see as connected to narcissism—things like feeling anxious or depressed, an inability to sustain relationships, or self-destructive behaviors.

Accepting that you might be a narcissist and need help is a major challenge, but doing so may improve your relationships and overall happiness. If this is the case for you, you must be willing to admit there’s an issue, seek a professional diagnosis, and embrace a rigorous psychotherapy plan. If, instead, you're looking for help with identifying and dealing with or even living with a narcissist (whether or not they’ve been diagnosed with NPD—narcissistic personality disorder), understanding the challenges of treating narcissism can be helpful.

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