What Are the Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
In many cases, people with narcissistic personality disorder:

• Are self-centered and boastful
• Seek constant attention and admiration
• Consider themselves better than others
• Exaggerate their talents and achievements
• Believe that they are entitled to special treatment
• Are easily hurt but may not show it
• Set unrealistic goals
• May take advantage of others to achieve their goals

Other common traits of narcissistic personality disorder include the following:

• Preoccupation with fantasies that focus on unlimited success, power, intelligence, beauty, or love
   
• Belief that he or she is "special" and unique, and can only be understood by other special people
   
• Expectation that others will automatically go along with what he or she wants
   
•  Inability to recognize or identify with the feelings, needs, and viewpoints of others
   
• Envy of others or a belief that others are envious of him or her
   
• Hypersensitivity to insults (real or imagined), criticism, or defeat, possibly reacting with rage, shame and humiliation
   
• Arrogant behavior and/or attitude

How Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treated?
There is no known cure for narcissistic personality disorder, but psychotherapy (a type of counseling) might help the person learn to relate to others in a more positive and rewarding way. Psychotherapy tries to provide the person with greater insight into his or her problems and attitudes in the hope that this will change behavior. The goal of therapy is to help the person develop a better self-esteem and more realistic expectations of others. Medication might be used to treat the distressing symptoms, such as behavioral problems, that might occur with this disorder.