ABSTRACT
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) was first included as a diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd ed. (DSM-III; American Psychiatric Association, 1980), largely because of widespread interest in the theoretical and clinical concepts of narcissism by psychodynamic psychotherapists (Kernberg, 1970, 1975; Kohut, 1971, 1977; Pulver, 1970; Stolorow, 1975; Teicholz, 1978). According to Kernberg (1975), the essential characteristics of the NPD individual 'center on pathological self-love, pathological object love, and pathological superego” (p. 35). Pathological self-love is seen in the NPD's self-centeredness, grandiosity, self-absorption, excessive self-reference, exhibitionistic tendencies, a sense of superiority, recklessness, and 'a discrepancy between their inordinate ambitions and what they can achieve” (p. 35). Yet, the NPDindividual has an inordinate need to be loved and admired. TheNPD patient often places extreme value on physical attractiveness, power, wealth, looking good, and intellectual pretentiousness. These patients need and seek admiration from others, and they demonstrate emotional shallowness, especially in relationships. Although feelings of grandiosity often are evident, they frequently alternatewith feelings of insecurity and inferiority. Kernberg (1975) emphasized that pathological object love is manifested by extreme envy. The NPD individual devalues others who threaten his or her status, in attempts to deny feelings of envy.
