Narcissistic Personality Disorder In Teens

People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) tend to exhibit a pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and an inflated sense of self-importance. However, research suggests that to some degree narcissistic traits are a normal part of human development. These traits tend to begin in childhood and increase in adolescence before decreasing in adulthood. However, it can be challenging for parents to know if a teen is displaying typical adolescent behavior or the early signs of NPD.

Below, we’ll explore some of the signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder in teens.

Narcissistic personality disorder poses many challenges

Talk to an online therapist for support

What is narcissistic personality disorder? 

NPD is a cluster B personality disorder, along with antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), cluster B personality disorders feature “dramatic, emotional, or erratic features.”

Some of the general symptoms of overt and vulnerable narcissism may include: 

• Having a grandiose sense of self-importance
• Fantasizing about having or feeling deserving of power, success, beauty, intelligence, or love
• Believing one is superior, special, or unique and one should only associate with others who are worthy
• Needing admiration due to self-doubt, emptiness, or low self-esteem
• Fishing for compliments
• Being preoccupied with what others think of oneself
• Expecting favorable treatment
• Using others, consciously or unconsciously
• Having a lack of empathy
• Seeing the feelings of others as a weakness
• Envying what others have
• Talking down to people or being condescending
• Being hypersensitive to rejection or criticism and reacting with anger
• Faking humility 

NPD can affect children, teens, and adults. However, per the DSM-5, people under 18 can typically only be diagnosed with a personality disorder if the symptoms are “pervasive, persistent, and unlikely to be limited to a particular developmental stage or another mental disorder” and have been present for one year. Generally, though, many providers may be hesitant to diagnose a personality disorder in teens as their personalities are typically still developing.

Narcissistic traits vs. NPD in teens

This idea can also apply to teenagers. Many of the general symptoms of NPD may be considered typical teen behavior. Teens may be more likely to fish for compliments, expect favorable treatment, envy what others have, or be afraid of appearing vulnerable. While teenagers may exhibit self-centered or narcissistic behavior, teens with NPD may behave in ways that interfere with their relationships. 

Here are some possible signs of NPD in children and teens:

• They belittle others. 
• They monopolize conversations. 
• They exaggerate their accomplishments.
• They have a hard time empathizing with others.
• They are quick to anger.
• They push back against authority figures when they don’t get what they want.

As mentioned above, some narcissistic behaviors may be expected, depending on a teen’s development. Children can develop narcissistic tendencies beginning at age 8, and they generally worsen in adolescence. Many teens grow out of these behaviors in early adulthood.

Causes of NPD in teens

Researchers have not identified an exact cause of NPD, but many factors may contribute to it, including genetics and environmental factors, such as parenting styles.

Indifferent and cold parenting may prevent children from developing a realistic view of themselves due to a lack of mirroring, but too much mirroring through overparenting may be problematic as well. Both overparenting and lenient parenting can limit the ability of a child to correct the grandiose behavior that may manifest in childhood.

Other theories posit that the traits of NPD may result from over-evaluation by parents, which can lead to overly positive self-views. When children in this type of household go beyond the family system, they may develop feelings of inferiority because they aren’t getting the same type of reassurance and praise as they do from their parents. 

Other factors that may contribute to teenage narcissistic personality disorder include the following: 

• Abuse
• Adoption
• Death of a parent or caregiver
• Excessive criticism
• Narcissistic parenting
• Neglect
• Parental divorce
• Social influences

How to support a teen with NPD

If you suspect that your teen is showing signs of NPD, you might consider talking to your child about their behaviors and how they affect other people. You can also encourage them to have empathy and then model empathetic behavior when you can. 

If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, particularly if NPD runs in your family, it may also help to talk to a mental health professional who specializes in children and adolescent mental health. This may help you gain insight into whether the symptoms you’re seeing are related to an NPD diagnosis or are part of a developmental phase. Narcissistic personality disorder treatment typically involves talk therapy, and a therapist who specializes in this age group can guide you in the next steps. In some cases, family therapy may also be helpful, not only for teens but also for the whole family unit.

As a parent of a teenager, you may also benefit from speaking with a therapist about your own mental health. Since parental behavior can affect child development, it may help to take some time to look within with the help of a therapist who has experience working with parents. Working with a therapist may help you understand your own emotions and how you may react to the world around you. Therapy may also help to reduce stress related to parenting a teenager, which can be especially challenging at a time when social media can significantly affect teens’ mental health. 

If you’re interested in talking to a mental health professional but don’t have time for traditional in-person therapy, you might consider online therapy. With online therapy, you can work with a licensed therapist from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection at a time that suits your schedule. You can also contact your therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. This may be helpful if you experience parenting challenges in between therapy sessions. 

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy. One study published in 2021 studied the effectiveness of an online therapist-assisted parenting program for parents of teens with anxiety or depression. Researchers found that the program not only reduced parental distress but also improved parent-teen attachment and family functioning.