Most readers are familiar, for instance, with multiple personality disorder (which tends to translate to one personality being good, while the other is a crazed serial killer). Realistically, though, multiple personality disorder doesn’t figure into many real-life crimes and, therefore, it would be implausible in fiction.
When someone seeks attention, only cares about themselves, and steps on the toes of others, we are quick to call them a narcissist. However, there are a number of other but are actually much more serious. If you or someone you know seems like they may have a personality disorder, it's important to know the signs of something bigger, rather than someone who just likes to stare at themselves in the mirror all day. Personality disorders that seem like narcissism 'This cluster describes individuals who appear emotional, erratic, or dramatic,' says over email.
Disorders in this cluster share problems with impulse control and emotional regulation. What's important to remember is that everyone displays traits found in these disorders from time to time, but these traits have to be regularly observed for them to be a personality disorder. Plus, they must also impair a person's ability to socialize or cause them distress to be considered a disorder.
That being said, if you or someone you know seems like they might be a narcissist, but you're afraid it may be something bigger than just something like vanity, consider these four personality disorders that seem like narcissism, but are more serious conditions. Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Just because someone loves posting pictures selfies on Instagram doesn't mean they have a personality disorder. We sometimes use the word 'narcissist' lightly, but someone with a slight ego doesn't necessarily have a mental disorder.
'The people who are diagnosed with this disorder have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, may be preoccupied with fantasies of limitless success, power, brilliance or beauty, and require excessive admiration,' says Crawford. 'They are unwilling to recognize the needs or feelings of others, are envious and feel envied and are arrogant and haughty. Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Like people with NPD, people with Antisocial Personality Disorder and ignore the rights and feelings of others, according to Mayo Clinic. They also tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. However, unlike narcissists, people with Antisocial Personality Disorder often engage in illegal behavior and get into physical fights with others. 'Many people who have been convicted of violent crimes, like serial killers, have been diagnosed with this disorder,' says Crawford. Borderline Personality Disorder. People with BPD and NPD can both, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). They have a tendency to believe the world revolves around them, they have a constant need for attention, and both fear abandonment.
But someone with BPD has a much more unstable sense of self, and they engage in more self-harming behaviors, according to Crawford. 'They tend to experience a chronic feeling of emptiness, have a lot of trouble controlling their moods, such as being easily angered and irritable, and are highly impulsive,' she says.
'They may also be paranoid and even lose touch with reality.' Histrionic Personality Disorder.
Someone who always has to be the center of attention may seem like a narcissist, but they may actually have Histrionic Personality Disorder. These people have a self-esteem and does not arise from a true feeling of self-worth, according to WebMD. 'They may dress and act in ways to draw attention to themselves and think relationships are more intimate than they really are,' says Crawford. They often dress proactively, display inappropriate behavior, and sometimes even threaten dangerous behaviors such as suicide to get attention.
If you think you or anyone else you know may have one of these disorders, it's best to see a licensed professional to help get a correct diagnosis. Images: Pixabay (5); Pexels.
Sociopaths aren’t just the serial killers and rapists we see on the 6 o’clock news. They are our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family members, and sometimes our “soul mates.” Sociopaths are the charmers and manipulators. They are the people who appear together and well-groomed at first glance, but hide many secrets and lies underneath their mask of sanity. Sociopaths, in the early love-bombing stage of an intimate relationship, use many superlatives in order to woo and control their victims. Pathological lying.
Can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest. Conning and manipulative. The use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one’s victims. Lack of remorse or guilt. A lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one’s victims.
Shallow affect. Emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness. Callousness and lack of empathy.
A lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless. Parasitic lifestyle. An intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities. Poor behavioral controls.
Expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily. Promiscuous sexual behavior.
A variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests. Early behavior problems. A variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home. Lack of realistic, long-term goals. An inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life. The occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless. Repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
Failure to accept responsibility for own actions. A failure to accept responsibility for one’s actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial. Many short-term marital relationships. A lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital. Juvenile delinquency.
Behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness. Revocation of condition release. A revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear. Criminal versatility. A diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes. In addition to these two lists of traits, the biggest trait (or magic trick as I like to call it) that makes narcissistic sociopaths so dangerous and effective is their ability to divert attention away from these traits, hide their evil agendas, and convince everyone that they’re capable of being loving and caring. Using this trick, they establish a false sense of trust with their victims who, in turn, feel compelled to share their deepest and darkest insecurities and fears.
How do sociopaths convince even the most guarded people to open up and share their souls with the devil? The answer is: Through excessive charm, pretense, and an uncanny ability to hide behind whatever mask of lies they need to wear depending on their audience. They lie to everyone with calculated projection and transference, resulting in a false sense of absolute power and control over everyone in their lives.
Armed with this false sense of intellectual superiority and the belief others will always comply with their whims out of fear of having their deepest secrets and insecurities exposed, sociopaths epitomize evil and everything that’s wrong in our materialistic and greed-driven society. And by remaining fearful and not speaking out or saying “no” to these fools, the rest of us perpetuate and allow their power, abuse, and destruction of our collective moral compass to grow exponentially.
Sociopaths will continue “winning” and wielding their power as long as the rest of us remain fearful of our own humanity. I believe in the power of a collective consciousness and in the transformative powers of information and education. The more of us who awaken and become informed about the reality of sociopaths in our midst, the more likely we can shift the evil into good and strip sociopaths of their delusional power. So join me and speak out without fear of being judged as weak for falling prey to one of these characters. Your experience doesn’t mean you’re weak, and It doesn’t mean you’re broken.
All it means is that you trusted and loved someone who didn’t deserve either. Paula Carrasquillo, author, advocate, mindfulness coach. Read Paula’s short story:.
For 30+ first-hand accounts by other survivors, read. I have been married for a little over 5 years.
The man I am married to is a Narcissistic Sociopath in every sense of the description. About a year ago I was finally able to leave him it lasted a few months and I had to return home because he made my life so miserable and with my position in Law Enforcement as well as his I did not want to be embarrassed in front of the community I serve. When I moved home he immediately sold everything out of my apartment so I could not leave again he promised he would change, he would see a councilor, and he would never hurt me again. The 1st year was not that bad until I got pregnant then he knew I was stuck and the real him shined through. This man has mentally, verbally, physically, and sexually abused me for years and since my return home it’s so much worse. I’m not allowed to have friends, when I’m on duty I will find him stalking me to make sure I’m on the call I say I’m on, He blows up my phone constantly and if I don’t answer I’m accused of everything under the sun, he will FaceTime me to make sure I’m where I say I am, he has threatened every single person and friend I have, he lied to my mom told her when he met me I was so addicted to drugs he had to help me get off of them (I have never touched a single drug ever). He has told lies around town of me cheating on him because I found where he had been seeing 3 other women.
He is a pathological liar and uses his charm to get what he wants. When I met him I was an outgoing, fun, loving, people person so full of life. Now I fear going anywhere because I know he will show up and embarrass me and then when I get home it gets so much worse. Often times I dream of running away but my daughter is 4 and loves her dad she needs him and I need her. My police chief knows of the abuse but since they are great friends nothing will ever be done about it. I live in a place where I have no family no one to turn to for help.
My checks are spent before they hit my account because he has to be in control. I feel like I’m trapped in a dungeon with no way out. He often tells me I need to love him the right way which I can’t fathom what he thinks he’s doing to me. I love the community I serve I hold great pride in my position I try to hide the fact that my home life is a nightmare because I don’t want people to know that I am such a broken and weak person. I just want to leave and not look back. This is my second marriage there will never be a third my picker is obviously broken.
I have no advice to give because me myself doesn’t know how to escape this nightmare yet. I will continue to wear a fake smile, hide the tears, and pray that one day I’m able to leave, get my own place, continue growing in my career, and find happiness. Jessie You WILL leave. You WILL get your own place. You WILL continue to grow in your career. You WILL be happy!
Andyou are protected. You’re protected. The power to articulate your situation in such clear and direct language speaks to your current capacity to think straight and devise your plan. You’re in a better place than you realize emotionally and mentally. You already know and understand why this relationship is toxic and unhealthywhich is often a place very few are able to reach inside the trauma. You are ready.
You have the support you needlook around you. They’re standing by waiting for you to ask for their help. They will believe you and they will say yes. Embrace the help and support. You deserve to be happy and free. I have just woken up and smelled the roses I given 13 what I thought fabulous life,but in the end everything was a lie.I totally adored and respected him he was my soulmate and so says everybody else.Yes he has a lot of traits of evil.The perfect husband and father or so everyone seemed to think so,and we here can justify certain things he says due to his job that’s,what we did fooled a lot of people and he does not care at all for what he has done no remorse or respect.I found out 1 month ago having an affair one of many probably.
No emotion and total dis respect for his child, callous as that kissing me in the morning by the afternoon have to sell the house I don’t love you I never have.I really look at him no passion there’s nothing in his eyes he just looks dead, I ask for answers he does not answer at all. Just sits there in his own world.I need answers for my own sanity. Anyway he has manipulated my son and forever he will do so.I just realised and read his school report for this year.your son shows no sympathy or empathy for others. Grant has now moved in after 1week with his new victim and children and without asking my permission is taking the child to his new faMily.I tried saying no it’s too soon then he’s starts to say nasty things mad useless he knows me so well.I can deal with this but my son who is 10 cannot please help me. Iv been married 23yearhe walked out 5yearsago he just about drove me insane the mental abuse I had a nervous breakdown and was. Bless your heart I’m glad you got out, I also have still have days I want to leave this earth I have 3 children and its awful from them and me my oldest son hates me because of the bad that my ex has talked about me. This month has been bad hes trying to get a restraining order so that me and the kids cant go see my mom and he got my location and sent it to other people reason unknown but I hope that this will be grounds for a PFA finally this is sad of all of us involved and our children.
I’m glad I found this site because I’m at my wits end and ready to do something stupid. My adult daughter is a narcissistic sociopath who has destroyed my and her mother’s reputations, and family and friend relationships with devastating lies of abuse. So very few of our family, and none of our friends, questioned these allegations. Those who did so question her assertions have been shunned by my daughter’s “minions”, who blindly and unquestioningly believe her lies, and act on her behalf to black out all information and contact.
My daughter went so far as to file a complaint with the state police, who showed up at our doorstep Christmas week. They acknowledged they had insufficient “evidence” to arrest, but wanted to inspect my computer looking for child pornography (another false despicable allegation). Thankfully I got good legal advice and the police have closed the investigation as unmerited. Nonetheless my and my wife’s reputation is besmirched. At this point we live our lives “under the radar” lest we be publicly pointed out as the monsters my daughter’s lies paint us to be.
We cannot even defend ourselves lest she spread the lies to as yet “unpoisoned” parts of our lives (work, friends unknown to her, church, etc.). We live in constant fear of more embellished lies coming forth to do further damage. Another victim blaming sham Anthony, many narcissistic people have shared their early lives with siblings, same parents and parenting, and their siblings do not develop narcissism.
Blaming the parents is such crap, it could just as easily be a teacher or peers that indoctrinated the kid into Entitlement and toxic personality, or even TV. Whatever they feel attracted to, whatever Hooks their attention shapes their development, not just genetic either.
Psychology book, parenting is only 20% if that. Reading all this makes me very sad inside for the life that I live with a narcissistic sociopath. I can’t find a way to get away when I’m financially at his disposal. My very existence is dependent on the fact that I have nowhere to go no family and I live in yes.
He is living inside of me and nobody will ever love me or want me around. He says if I ever get another boyfriend that he will beat the s. out of me because I’m such a stupid girl and that he’s the only one that can put up with my b. What do I do when I have nobody to turn to? I lived in a few relationships with these traits. It starts off gradually.
By the time you realise it is a bit too late.You are already hook line and sinker.Their insecurities creep up and try to turn it around that you be the first to apologise for something that was not you that started the problem.I swear at times i am a target to attract these types of people in my life.Now i speak up and i am the one who causes drama so I am told lol!Ifeel sorry for these type of people for it is a sickness for them. It is like they cannot stop to control everything. If you are weak it seems to already make that connection with you.They hate that you do not say much for they cannot figure you out and you are a chsllenge to them.It is a blessing in disguise if they move on. At this time it’s to late to save my marriage as the sociopath has won. He’s the father of my now ex’x two children with one dead via suicide. This guy seems to fit nearly all category’s mentioned above.
He is a Mormon and they are known as the “God Makers”. In the afterlife they become gods of their own planet and he intends to have Mary as his goddess who will be obliged to produce babies for him going into “infinity”. They were sealed in the Oakland, CA Temple which means that my wife will be his forever in their Celestial Heaven. Weird but true.
A lot is on youtube. Also witness to this liars thieving. He somehow convinced Mary to deceive and lie to me and finally to simply disappear one day from the beauty shop. Very strange people. Feel for my wife as I did warn her when I became aware what was happening. I read a couple of the comments and am in complete disgust. I am going through a divorce right now of someone with the same personality.
The only good thing I have is no physical abuse. It is all emotional and psychological. Even to his oldest he emotional and psychological abused to hide his affair. Made me out to be a crazy person when I would accuse him of an affair with that person and turned my son against me.
When my son found out what his dad did he totally hates him. I also have a young child that doesn’t know any better yet. All their dad says is I want to see that child. He has three kids and all he ever fights about seeing is the youngest cause he can still be manipulated. His two other children are teenagers and hate him for what he has done.
How can I save my youngest from this man? From what I have read these poor children are still getting hurt. Where is the justice for the kids. Make these horrible narcissistic abuser parents pay support and have supervised or no visitation. I thought the kids are suppose to be safe.