Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that affects how individuals view themselves and relate to others. It is characterized by a life-long pattern of exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a diminished ability to empathize with others feelings. People with NPD may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others, and they may be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty, or the perfect mate.

Symptoms of NPD can vary in severity, and people with the disorder may struggle with feelings of failure or rejection, putting their own health and well-being at risk. They may also have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration, feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment, and expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.

NPD is a mental health condition, so experts aren’t exactly sure why it happens. However, it is believed that the main contributing factors to NPD are a combination of risk factors from biological, psychological, and socio-environmental factors. It is also common for NPD to overlap with other mental health conditions and concerns.

A healthcare provider, usually a psychiatrist or psychologist, can diagnose NPD by talking to the individual and asking questions about their life and interactions with others, especially family, friends, or other loved ones[[3]](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disor...