Compare And Contrast DPD And NPD

803 Words2 Pages

Comparing NPD to DPD In both cases, it is apparent that the feeling of abandonment or neglect can trigger a PD typical response. Both patients experience overly high joy when their relationship provides what they desire. While dependent PD patients thrive on a more somatic state, in which it becomes important to see that they are on the other peoples' mind, a narcissists joy is far more based on self-importance. With growing success in life goals, the NPD patient will most likely seek for others to comply to the role of a spectator of his grandiose image, before looking at the other with defiance after his/her temporary needs are met. In contrast, for DPD patients it is crucial to maintain the other's presence and attention in order to …show more content…

Understanding and Treating NPD As Patients with Personality Disorders (PD), usually present a wide range of different disorders, PD patients often do not fit into the DSM-IV categories. It is, therefore, useful to focus on basic dispositions (e.g. unstable self-esteem or perfectionism) in order to understand patients pathologies and develop an effective treatment plan (Salvatore, Carcione & Dimaggio, 2012). NPD patients do not depend on others, the way DPD patients do. Their purpose of investing into relationships is exclusively to defend their grandiose self-image when threatened or expand it, if not threatened. It is crucial for the therapist, to pay close attention to the wide range of different self-positions a NPD patient can offer. As for instance, the patient could shift from dependency to grandiosity, feeling as if the therapist is the only one who truly understands him, and a few days later display arrogance and coldness. Working with such a complex dependency, The therapist has to be careful not to adjust his reactions, to the …show more content…

The study was very interesting, as it gave insight on how dependency is processed within two apparently very different disorders. Even though it would’ve been interesting to read more about the role of dependency in different Personality Disorders, I do agree that it was important to point it out especially in NPD, as the DSM-IV does fail to correctly depict this disorder. Furthermore, the study could've benefited from a broader variety of patient interviews, as Paul and Sandra are about the same age. Finally, Unhealthy Dependency should be given a special highlight in the treatment model of NPD, in which the focus should shift from challenging grandiose self features, to acknowledging how the lack of other peoples admiration can cause interpersonal malfunctioning. It is essential to promote patients self reflection during therapy and allow them to achieve multiplicity and differentiation in the self. The human mind is fascinating and this article only contributes to the understanding of this

Open Document