Psychologists clarify common myths and facts about narcissism

Narcissism has moved beyond clinical settings to become, as one expert put it, a "catchall label for a broad range of disliked or frustrating behaviors," psychologists say. On platforms such as TikTok, influencers offer a variety of informal tips for spotting a narcissist, from passive aggression to extreme charm paired with emotional coldness.

Clinically, narcissism is a personality trait that exists on a continuum; everyone has some degree of it, and those higher on the spectrum tend to be egotistic or vain. Narcissistic personality disorder, or N.P.D., is diagnosed when persistent features — an unshakable need for admiration, an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy — lead to distress or interfere with relationships, work or other parts of life.

N.P.D. is estimated to affect about 1 or 2 percent of U.S. adults, but people who do not meet diagnostic criteria can still display harmful narcissistic traits, including entitlement, manipulation, deceit and blame shifting, said Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist. Researchers have identified different forms of narcissism.

Agentic narcissism involves confidence, entitlement and a focus on status and power; neurotic narcissism features a constant need for validation, shame and insecurity; and antagonistic narcissism looks competitive, exploitative and hostile. People can show combinations of these traits rather than fitting a single type.

Key Topics

Health, Narcissism, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Ramani Durvasula, Virgil Zeigler-hill, Tiktok