Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Depression?
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Many scholars consider pathological narcissism to be a form of depressive illness. This is the position of the authoritative magazine "Psychology Today". The life of the typical narcissist is, indeed, punctuated with recurrent bouts of dysphoria (ubiquitous sadness and hopelessness), anhedonia (loss of the ability to feel pleasure), and clinical forms of depression (cyclothymic, dysthymic, or other). This picture is further obfuscated by the frequent presence of mood disorders, such as Bipolar I (co-morbidity).\n\nWhile the distinction between reactive (exogenous) and endogenous depression is obsolete, it is still useful in the context of narcissism. Narcissists react with depression not only to life crises but to fluctuations in Narcissistic Supply.\n\nThe narcissist's personality is disorganised and precariously balanced. He regulates his sense of self-worth by consuming Narcissistic Supply from others. Any threat to the uninterrupted flow of said supply compromises his psychological integrity and his ability to function. It is perceived by the narcissist as life threatening.\n\nI. Loss Induced Dysphoria\n\nThis is the narcissist's depressive reaction to the loss of one or more Sources of Narcissistic Supply – or to the disintegration of a Pathological Narcissistic Space (PN Space, his stalking or hunting grounds, the social unit whose members lavish him with attention).\n\nII. Deficiency Induced Dysphoria\n\nDeep and acute depression which follows the aforementioned losses of Supply Sources or a PN Space. Having mourned these losses, the narcissist now grieves their inevitable outcome – the absence or deficiency of Narcissistic Supply. Paradoxically, this dysphoria energises the narcissist and moves him to find new Sources of Supply to replenish his dilapidated stock (thus initiating a Narcissistic Cycle).\n\nIII. Self-Worth Dysregulation Dysphoria\n\nThe narcissist reacts with depression to criticism or disagreement, especially from a trusted and long-term Source of Narcissistic Supply. He fears the imminent loss of the source and the damage to his own, fragile, mental balance. The narcissist also resents his vulnerability and his extreme dependence on feedback from others. This type of depressive reaction is, therefore, a mutation of self-directed aggression.\n\nIV. Grandiosity Gap Dysphoria\n\nThe narcissist's firmly, though counterfactually, perceives himself as omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, brilliant, accomplished, irresistible, immune, and invincible. Any data to the contrary is usually filtered, altered, or discarded altogether. Still, sometimes reality intrudes and creates a Grandiosity Gap. The narcissist is forced to face his mortality, limitations, ignorance, and relative inferiority. He sulks and sinks into an incapacitating but short-lived dysphoria.\n\nV. Self-Punishing Dysphoria\n\nDeep inside, the narcissist hates himself and doubts his own worth. He deplores his desperate addiction to Narcissistic Supply. He judges his actions and intentions harshly and sadistically. He may be unaware of these dynamics – but they are at the heart of the narcissistic disorder and the reason the narcissist had to resort to narcissism as a defence mechanism in the first place.\n\nThis inexhaustible well of ill will, self-chastisement, self-doubt, and self-directed aggression yields numerous self-defeating and self-destructive behaviours – from reckless driving and substance abuse to suicidal ideation and constant depression.\n\nIt is the narcissist's ability to confabulate that saves him from himself. His grandiose fantasies remove him from reality and prevent recurrent narcissistic injuries. Many narcissists end up delusional, schizoid, or paranoid. To avoid agonising and gnawing depression, they give up on life itself.
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Narcissistic people are not easy to be around, but they always like to be around other people.  They word well by themselves but have a tendency to be less than pleasant as colleagues.\nOfficially classified as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder, they seem to act like atypical 6 year old.  Their worse trait is that they lack empathy and are unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.\nCheck out the sites below for additional information:
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i think its true. to me, depression is causing it. i dont eat well, always sleepy, tired and no drive to do anything. im still dealing with it. one avise, get to the root of the problem, stay healthy.
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Yes my depression has hurt alot of people that I love and care about. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I tried to commit suicide many many times because of the mood swings. That's when I hurt the people that cared so much for me. I did get help and I am finally on a medication now that helps with the mood swings and I also go to therapy every week. So with those two things combined I think I was very lucky.
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if u will give a real deep analysis on all the symptoms and situations  that you mentioned, the bottomline of all these,  is self-love,  the use of defense mechanisms to preserve the ego.  Projection, Rationalization, Intellectualization...yes my friend, all exhibited because of actual or imagined fear of having their ego smashed into pieces.
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"Avoidant Personality Disorder" is a psych term used to categorise a number of behavioural traits Psychiatry considers improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promote it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".\n\nIf one considers certain traits to be problematic, relating to shyness or low self-worth and self-esteem, then there are variety of options one can consider without accepting Psychiatry's BS that one has a "mental illness", that one is "ill" and that one should reach for so-called "medication" as a so-called solution.\n \nIt's great, then, that you wish to stay clear of Psychiatry. I would, however, consider dropping use of the term "Avoidant Personality Disorder", as that is an invented psychiatric label that has no substance in science whatsoever.\n\nThere are a number of things you can try to handle your issues. Some work better than others, granted, but it is well worth doing as much investigation as possible before deciding on which path to take.\n\nI had similar issues to what psychs deem "APD", but I handled them swiftly by joining a self-help program and overcoming these barriers through courses and counselling. Amazing stuff. \n\nOther things could include meditation programs, yoga, martial arts, etc. But there are so many different things out there you will certainly need to research them yourself and form your own opinion.\n\nGood luck in your journey!\n\nMike\n\n--\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters\nDecoding Psychiatric Propaganda
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Please tell your mother or another adult how you are feeling. This is nothing to be fooled around with.. Depression is serious business !! You sound like you have some anger issues that you need to work out, and it is not just because your dad asked you to get a rag for the boat.. there is something big inside you that needs to come out,and that you need to work on.. you are lashing out at the wrong people, and pushing away the people you need the most.. You may need to go and talk to your counselor at school, or a trusted teacher. if your are not still in school, seek out a good counselor, or a good group that you can get into..talking out your anger helps.. believe me it does.. You have got to talk it out and not act it out.. acting it out will only hurt you and the ones that you love. and will hurt you physically and mentally.. You do NOT need to become annorexic.. nothing good comes from that.. that will kill you. and life is to short as it is.. You and only you can take care of you. you have got to go and get some help.. Do it now !! Find someone to talk to .. NOW.. Find someone with some training that will be able to help you with your anger and your depression. It will be a long hard road.. but you did not get this way in a days time. and you will not be better in a days time.. So, now is the time to start the journey to a better and a happier and a love filled life.. Blessings to you..
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Depression and lose of hope.
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Yes, your symptoms have all the makings of endogenous depression, which comes on you like a thief in the night.\n\nGo to your doctor for a professional diagnosis so you can get the treatment your need, and don't be afraid of any of the therapy or medications if they help you in the long run.\n\nThe kind of depression you seem to have symptoms of usually doesn't seem to have any obvious cause and so can go on undetected for months or even years making your life sad and purposeless for no apparent reason.\n\nEspecially if you have a parent or other close family members with depression or mental illness of any kind, you most likely have inherited this depression, which would explain why you feel this way even though nothing is going wrong in your life.
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Personality Issues and Appearances.
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No one admits to it - depression is still considered a sign of weakness. It's unfortunate. I take antidepressants but I'm not a celebrity. :)
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Hi there,\nI am yet to be officially diagnosed with PMDD, but I believe i have this condition. This is something i have been suffering with from the age of 13, I am now 28 unmarried with no children.\nI possess all of the symptoms pertaining to PMDD all but the Suicidal thoughts. It has been basically ruling and ruining my life for far too long. I have been to  so many Doctors, Psychologists, Healers and more recently a Naturopath, to try and help me alleviate some of these symptoms. I exercise, eat healthy, and have a loving family and beautiful supportive boyfriend, however still have these awful awful symptoms. I myself am going to the Doctor again tomorrow to ask for 50mg of Zoloft daily, I have done a lot of research in to this, and believe this is a start. I can't continue feeling the way i do, my behaviour is starting to take it's toll on my relationship and with work etc, I can't deal with it anymore and don't think i should have to... So fingers crossed the Zoloft will help. I sympathise, your certainly  not alone... Go and see your doctor... \nGood luck xx
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To be honest, all that behavior is very common in people who are clinically depressed.\n\nIt is very hard to get back on track, I know because I have struggled with this in the past as well.  If you try your best to make a conscious effort to get up, go to class, study, eat properly, and exercise everyday and you still count, you may want to consider getting an evaluation through your university or at an outside health professional.  \n\nIf you are positive that this is not it, I would strongly suggest seeing your general physician for some blood work to be done to see what is making you feel so sluggish.
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no definintly not where did you hear that lol depression is all related to your mind and what triggers off certain things on how you feel and think and how you react to it either by getting on wit life or crying about it, sorry if i sound harsh.
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Childhood depression and bipolar disorders.
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There's no connection.  I have some fairly serious psychological problems, mainly depression, and some anxiety and panic attacks, but at work, where you have no choice but to get on with it, I function perfectly normally, and apart from the odd occasion, no-one at work would have any idea!
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Signs of Depression\n\nQ:  What are the warning signs of depression (other than "feeling sad") and what can be done about it? Also, please tell us about the herb St. John’s Wort and if it can be used to treat depression. \n\n\n\nA:  Depression, for many, is a slow, almost imperceptible process in which life, in varying degrees, begins to lose its meaning. Research demonstrates a measurable depletion of certain chemicals in the brain; this is the foundation for many of the drugs used to treat this condition. \n\nThe following are warning signs of depression and should be taken seriously if one regularly experiences them:\n\n\nDepressed mood \n\nLoss of appetite for food \n\nDifficulty sleeping or sleeping much more than usual \n\nA sense of helplessness and hopelessness \n\nThoughts about suicide \n\nLoss of interest in the activities of daily living (work, play, time with family and friends) \n\nUnusual irritability \n\nFeelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt \n\nDiminished ability to think or concentrate\nIf you are experiencing up to five of these symptoms for more than two weeks, this may represent a serious depressive episode. If so, see your doctor as soon as possible. Treatment may include counseling, medication, and in severe cases hospitalization. \n\nSt. John’s Wort has been historically used as a mood elevator and some research has demonstrated a positive effect on the brain chemistry of depression. In some limited studies benefits were shown like reducing anxiety and feelings of worthlessness, as well as improvements in quality of sleep. \n\nI would discourage anyone reading this from self-diagnosis and consequently running down to the health food store to arrange treatment. A depressive illness can be serious, necessitating evaluation by an objective professional. \n\n\nArticle Created: 1997-12-15\nArticle Reviewed: 2005-01-24\n\nDr. Russell Robertson is Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His biweekly column of medical advice also appears in the CNI Community Newspapers throughout metropolitan Milwaukee. \n \n \ngood luck