It would be so much simpler if narcissism was just mirror-gazing and braggadocio. Conceptualization, assessment, and description of narcissism remains a primary stumbling block for many clinicians. We often get stuck in the DSM “narcissistic personality disorder” of it all and miss the varying presentations and the spectrum of severity that can inform treatment as well as understanding of relational dynamics. While there is a core phenomenology to narcissism, it’s important that clinicians let go of the “is this NPD or not” and understand the larger spectrum of antagonism as well as the other patterns that show up in narcissism including negative affectivity, dysregulation, and impulsivity. In this presentation we will address the traditional NPD diagnosis, the new AMPD offered by the DSM, as well as the subtypes of narcissism. We will also consider etiological issues, the spectrum of severity, and differentiate narcissism from other contiguous personality styles including psychopathy and sociopathy. Co-occurring patterns such as addiction, mood disorders, post-traumatic patterns, and social anxiety, and how these can complicate assessment and treatment planning will be considered. Finally, we will explore how working with these clients impacts us as clinicians.
While everybody may be talking about narcissism and gaslighting, most clinicians often are not familiar with the subtle phenomenology of this personality style. A working knowledge of narcissism, not just as a personality disorder diagnosis, but as a variegated personality style, can be an asset for a clinician who is working with high demand clients or clients who are struggling within antagonistic relationships. This workshop will review what narcissism is, varying subtypes, co-occurring patterns, differentiation from similar patterns, and suggestions for how to build this into treatment planning.
Speaker
Ramani S. Durvasula, PhD, is the founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training and Consulting, LLC. She is also a clinical psychologist in private practice and Professor Emerita of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. The focus of Dr. Durvasula’s clinical, academic and consultative work is the etiology and impact of narcissism and high-conflict, entitled, antagonistic personality styles on human relationships, mental health, and societal expectations. She is the author of two books on narcissistic relationships, with her third book to be released in February 2024 by Penguin. She has spoken on narcissism and narcissistic relationships with clinicians, educators and researchers around the world. Her work has been featured at TEDx, and on a wide range of media platforms including Red Table Talk, the Today Show, Oxygen, Investigation Discovery, Bravo, numerous documentaries, and she is a featured expert on the digital media mental health platform MedCircle. She also produces and hosts a critically acclaimed Ambie nominated podcast - Navigating Narcissism, as well as a successful YouTube channel. Dr. Durvasula has also been active in APA Governance, serving as past-chair of the APA Committee on HIV and AIDS, past-co-chair of the Committee on Women and Psychology, past-chair of the Committee on Socioeconomic Status, and Chair of the MHSAS-STAY Training Advisory Committee of the Minority Fellowship Program. She is also a faculty member in the APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology.