Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition in which people have an excessive sense of self-importance, an extreme preoccupation with themselves, and lack of empathy for others.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is characterized by a long-standing pattern of grandiosity (either in fantasy or actual behavior), an overwhelming need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward others.
People with this narcissistic personality disorder believe they are of primary importance in everybody’s life or to anyone they meet. While this pattern of behavior may be common for an Academy Award Winning actress, it is generally considered inappropriate for most ordinary people.
Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
In order for a person to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder he or she must meet five or more of the following symptoms:
- Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
- Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
- Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
- Requires excessive admiration
- Has a very strong sense of entitlement, e.g., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
- Is exploitative of others, e.g., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
- Lacks empathy, e.g., is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
- Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
- Regularly shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
Narcissistic Personality Disorder in Films
There have been numerous movies featuring characters with narcissistic personality disorder. The following films contain a character with narcissistic personality disorder that depicts the condition in a realistic manner. Each film also provides a foundation for a good Cinema Therapy experience due to directorial style, character development, casting, and production quality. New releases will be added to the list below so return if this topic is of interest to you.
- Gaslight (1944)
- A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
- Arthur (1981)
- Wall Street (1987)
- Rain Man (1988)
- Scarface (1983)
- Basic Instinct (1992)
- To Die For (1995)
- Matilda (1996)
- Cruel Intentions (1999)
- Magnolia (1999)
- The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
- American Psycho (2000)
- Zoolander (2001)
- Queen of the Damned (2002)
- Dorian Gray (2009)
- Arthur (2011)
- Beastly (2011)
- Shame (2011)
Click here to order Zoolander (the movie pictured above) at Amazon