Can one have strong narcissistic traits and not have NPD?

“Someone who is narcissistic may be selfish in some area of their life but not disordered. An example would be if someone was very vain about their body and constantly obsessing about their looks and seeking approval for their appearance. This may not be NPD.

What is the narcissist spectrum?

Not every narcissist has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), as narcissism is a spectrum. People who are at the highest end of the spectrum are those that are classified as NPD, but others, still with narcissistic traits, may fall on the lower end of the narcissistic spectrum.

How do children of narcissistic parents feel about love?

To love unconditionally requires whole object relations. Instead, the children of narcissistic parents feel loved and lovable when they please their parents, and unloved and unlovable when they do not. Type of narcissistic parent: All narcissists devalue or idealize their children, but some are worse parents than others.

Do you recognize narcissistic traits in adults?

One clue of narcissistic traits that continue into adulthood is seeing nothing wrong with yourself no matter what, and believing that everyone and everything around you needs to change to accommodate your needs. Does this inflexibility remind you of someone you know?

How does a child develop a closet narcissistic disorder?

Children who develop a closet narcissistic disorder: If the children are punished if they seek the spotlight for themselves, or if they are not very confrontative by nature, they may develop a closet narcissistic disorder. Instead of exhibiting themselves for admiration, they may feel special by pleasing people whom they idealize.

Do narcissists have poor self esteem?

We also know that narcissists are very susceptible to what is called ‘narcissistic injury’ which means that their self esteem is poor and they are easily hurt by others’ criticism and by feelings of losing to others.