Rosemary Walls: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Introduction: This case study is about Rosemary Walls, a middle aged woman who suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD. She often puts her wants over the needs of her children and throughout her adult life, has believed she was more important than others. Mayo Clinic describes NPD as “Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultra confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism” (Mayoclinic.org) One of the many symptoms of this disease is that it can lead to the patient lacking or having no empathy for other and their feelings (Psychology

Today). Although there is little about the causes of NPD, doctors believe it is attributed with genetic and biological factors and or early life experiences. Treatment is especially difficult. However, (Thesis TBD)

Background: Rosemary is an averaged height, middle aged woman who is overweight.

She was born and raised by her mother at a small farm in the outskirts of Phoenix. “Grandma Smith nagged and badgered, setting rules and punishments for breaking the rules. It drove Mom crazy, and it was the reason she never set rules [for us] (Walls 91). Rosemary hated the way that her life with her mom wasn't exciting at all and how it was alway so predictable. This is why she ran away from home to be with Rex. After about six months of dating, Rex and Rosemary got married and had 5 children, one of which died as an infant. While Rosemary did not like talking about her past, she was not hesitant to answer any questions that was asked. “Twenty­three men had already proposed to her and she had turned them all down” (Walls 27). This leads to the thought that ever since she was a little girl she believed she was the greatest because she was

beautiful.
Rosemary also talks extensively about her art career saying that she was as good as vango or any other famous artist. “Van Gogh didn’t sell any paintings. I'm an artist! ” (Walls 71). She does show hostility if you criticize her in any way and Rosemary will do anything to combat the thought of not being as good as she believes.

Symptoms and Diagnosis: The DSM V explains Narcissistic Personality Disorder as “A disease that causes a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.” (DSM V).

There are nine requirements for somebody to be diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Rosemary has all of them. For example “ Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the filling and needs of others.” (DSM-V) Rosemary is always looking for a way to raise her self-esteem, even if that means others may be hurt. For instance when her children, Jeanette and Brian, find a diamond ring, Rosemary chooses to keep it and wear it instead of selling it and feeding her children (Walls 187). She is also willing to skip out on work every day so she can continue with her hobbies. At least once a week, Rosemary would throw a temper tantrum and refuse to go to work. She would sit and cry on the couch and her children would have to console her for minutes on end (Walls

196).
Rosemary is always preoccupied with her art career. She often envisions herself as a master painter. When the family arrived in Phoenix, as soon as they settled into their house, Rosemary turned it into an art studio. She erected a big white sign with gold lettering outside the house (Walls 97). When the Walls family moved to Welch, Rosemary explained to everyone “I bet there aren’t any other artists living in welch. I won't have any competition. My career could really take off here.” (Walls 135). While in New York, she turned Lori’s house into an art studio also. Instead of living there one month, she stayed there for four months. Art over flowed from the living room to the kitchen (Walls 253).
Rosemary often has an “arrogant and haughty behaviors or attitudes” (DSM-V). She often distinguishes things she doesn't approve of, such as bubble gum as a “disgusting, low-class habit” (Walls 12). Rosemary also complains regularly about how she has worked hard to provide for her children. When she moved to New York she told her daughter "I've spent my life taking care of other people. Now it's time to take care of me" (Walls 258).