What is a defining feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

A defining feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder is the lack of empathy. Individuals with this disorder typically have a diminished ability to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others. This lack of empathy contributes to their interpersonal difficulties and can lead to a pattern of exploitative relationships where they prioritize their own needs and desires over those of others.

This absence of empathy is fundamental to the disorder and manifests in various ways, such as a disregard for others' feelings, an inability to understand social cues, and a tendency to react insensitively to the emotional states of others. This characteristic helps distinguish Narcissistic Personality Disorder from other personality disorders, which may feature different emotional responses or relationship dynamics.

In contrast, features such as fear of abandonment are more typical of Borderline Personality Disorder, while excessive emotionality is often associated with Histrionic Personality Disorder. Impulsive behavior is a hallmark of disorders like Borderline Personality Disorder or Antisocial Personality Disorder, rather than Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which is more characterized by grandiosity and a focus on self.