Narcissism vs Psychopathy: Key Differences You Should Know

Both psychopathy and narcissism belong to Cluster B in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) [1]. No wonder they share some overlapping symptoms such as manipulative tendencies, a lack of empathy, and unpredictable behaviors. What is the difference between psychopathy and narcissism? Read on this comprehensive psychopathy vs narcissism comparison to recognize their traits and behaviors and protect your well-being in our intricate social world.

Fascination With Narcissism and Psychopathy

People with narcissism and psychopathy may exhibit superficial charm to induce others to fulfill their needs and expectations [2]. These psychiatric conditions are part of the so-called Dark Triad that comprises machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism [3]. They are associated with breaking established societal norms, crossing others’ boundaries, and manipulative behavior.

Since narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism share certain traits, it’s essential to understand the meaning of these terms and how these personality disorders differ. Let’s have a brief glimpse at what narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism are [3]:

• A convoluted combination of an inflated sense of self, superiority, and entitlement with inner fragility, inadequacy, and defensiveness.
• A rare personality disorder marked by a bunch of harmful characteristics such as cruelty, callousness, manipulativeness, deceitfulness, and arrogance. Nearly 0.7% of American adults display evident psychopathic traits [4].
• Machiavellianism. These people can be merciless, cynical, unempathetic, duplicitous, and manipulative, using others for personal gain.

Differentiating between machiavellianism vs narcissism vs psychopathy can help develop appropriate preventive strategies to overcome burdensome societal challenges.

Why Understand the Differences?

Narcissism, machiavellianism, and psychopathy might be challenging to distinguish due to certain overlapping features. Fathoming their key differences can help you:

• Timely recognize detrimental patterns while interacting with others;
• Boost overall mental health awareness;
• Successfully confront the manipulative strategies and incessant demands of people with psychopathy, machiavellianism, and narcissism;
• Build healthier relationships;
• Make well-informed life choices;
• Seek corresponding support and professional treatment.

The main differences between narcissism and psychopathy are better observed in the form of a comparison chart:

As you can see, the difference between psychopathy and narcissism involves a group of distinct characteristics that may not coincide in individuals suffering from these mental health conditions. However, people sometimes can combine the traits of both disorders, displaying a sense of grandiosity, a lack of empathy, and manipulative tendencies. They are called narcissistic psychopaths [5].

Definitions and Diagnostic Criteria

We’ve shortly clarified the meaning of machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, as well as explained the difference between narcissism and psychopathy. A better understanding of these concepts requires a more in-depth look.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD, is a convoluted psychological condition characterized by a dominating pattern of grandiosity, craving for acclaim and validation, and lack of empathy. It often provokes the onset of substance use disorders and may lead to substantial social and vocational impairment [6]. People with NPD are highly sensitive to criticism and others’ feedback, which induces them to pursue societal achievements to mask inner insecurities.

To be formally diagnosed with narcissism, a person must meet at least five of the following DSM-5-TR clinical criteria [6]:

• An inflated sense of self-importance;
• Arrogance;
• Fixation on fantasies of perfection, accomplishment, power, or appeal;
• Conviction of being “special”;
• Expectation of profuse admiration;
• Sense of entitlement and superiority;
• Exploitative, manipulative, and abusive tendencies;
• Envy towards others;
• Lack of empathy.

NPD can develop from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, and its onset falls in early adulthood [6].

Antisocial Personality Disorder (Psychopathy)

Psychopathy is a severe form of antisocial personality disorder, marked by limited emotional responses, insufficient behavioral control, and a lack of empathy [7]. This complex mental health condition may result in violent acts and criminal behavior. People who have psychopathy disdain the established societal norms and standards, which, coupled with sadistic inclinations and reckless behavior, make them conceivably dangerous.

This neuropsychiatric disorder is associated with several diagnostic criteria [8]:

• Nonconformity of social norms;
• Mendacity;
• Impulsivity;
• Aggression and irritability;
• Reckless attitude toward their own or others’ safety;
• Steady irresponsibility;
• Lack of remorse.

Psychopaths may find it challenging to interact with others due to a lack of emotions and empathy. They are controlled in actions and can manipulate others using their coolness, intellect, and charm. People usually perceive psychopaths as cold and callous.

Behavioral Traits

Narcissism, psychopathy share certain traits and characteristics, but knowing their distinctions can help navigate interpersonal relations. Let’s examine the traits that reveal individuals with these personality disorders in everyday life.

Dominant Features of Narcissism

People with narcissistic personality disorder may appear self-absorbed and confident. However, this social mask conceals a vulnerable self-image that needs persistent attention and praise [6]. Narcissists tend to:

• Prioritize their needs over others’;
• Expect special treatment;
• Criticise those nearby;
• Exploit others for personal gain;
• Act defensively when criticized;
• Behave selfishly to get what they want;
• Seem right, powerful, successful, etc.;
• Blame other people for their own faults to avoid shame;
• Outperform and impress others;
• Treat other people with arrogance;
• Overestimate their talents and accomplishments;
• Rarely care about the emotions of others.

Driven by a strong belief that others owe them something, narcissists may ignore social rules and constantly demand respect, love, and acceptance.

Dominant Features of Psychopathy

Psychopaths might seem charismatic and impulsive, but they don’t care about others’ well-being. Instead, they manipulate people for control and personal gain. Key traits of psychopaths encompass [9]:

• Calm, callous, and unempathetic attitudes toward others;
• Calculated and premeditated actions;
• Antisocial and impulsive behaviors;
• Pretending to be charming to blend into society and manipulate others;
• No guilt or remorse for their harmful actions;
• Lie and cheat for personal gain;
• Reckless deeds and decisions;
• Urge to control other people;
• Unconcern for the needs and feelings of others;
• Sadistic relish in harming other people;
• Instigating conflicts and arguments to release aggression;
• Adjusting their personalities for manipulative purposes.

The manipulative nature of psychopaths is tuned to navigate the world around them. It has been proven that more males than females can be psychopaths, but this mental health condition doesn’t depend on race or socioeconomic background [9].

Are Narcissism and Psychopathy Related?

Given that these psychiatric conditions are part of the same category of personality disorders in the DSM-5 [1], some of their symptoms can overlap. These include unempathetic attitudes toward other people and manipulative tendencies. There are also certain distinctions present. Let’s explore these issues and see if “Is narcissism psychopathy?” or a separate personality disorder to treat.

Exploring the Connections

Both narcissistic and psychopathic traits are influenced by genetic and neurological factors and early childhood experiences [10; 11], which partially denotes the interrelation between these neuropsychiatric disorders:

• Heredity. Some characteristics, such as aggression and impulsivity, can be passed down in families.
• Dysfunctions in brain structure. Structural changes in certain brain zones can promote the development of personality disorders.
• Early childhood experiences. A sense of grandiosity, which is a core feature of narcissistic disorder, can evolve from excessive praise or criticism as a kid. The development of psychopathic traits can be promoted by trauma, physical or emotional abuse, or a lack of care in early childhood.

This connection is better observed when comparing a severe form of NPD, malignant narcissism vs psychopathy, which can both cause significant harm to other people. Individuals with narcissism may inflict deep emotional wounds on people in relationships, while psychopaths are more prone to acts of physical violence.

The dangerous impact on surrounding people heightens when narcissistic and psychopathic traits are united in one personality [5]. A narcissistic psychopath combines lack of remorse and detrimental impulsivity of psychopathy with emotional destructiveness typical of narcissism. Other traits may include:

• An overly inflated ego;
• A sense of entitlement;
• Manipulative and duplicitous behaviors;
• Lack of concern for the feelings of others;
• Exploitation of other people without guilt and remorse;
• Aggressive behavior when their self-esteem is at risk;
• Speculating on charisma to control others.

Now you see that the answer to “Is narcissism a form of psychopathy?” is a straightforward “no”. Though their symptoms may overlap, the interrelation between these two personality disorders doesn’t have a top-down nature. Let’s explore how they differ in detail.

Distinctiveness of Each Disorder

Though both narcissists and psychopaths lack empathy and are used to mastering manipulation techniques on others, they vary in key features:

• Self-image. Thoughts of grandiosity and the urge to maintain a favorable self-image often induce narcissists to invest efforts to get others’ attention. Psychopaths are more prone to blend into society so as not to arouse suspicion.
• Motivation. People with narcissism are driven by a wish for validation and acceptance, while psychopaths often pursue their goals without regard for public opinion.
• Behavior. Despite a significant sense of entitlement, narcissists aren’t prone to displaying antisocial, deviant, and violent behaviors, unlike psychopaths.
• Attachments. Though narcissists believe in their superiority to others, they can form emotional bonds. Cold and detached psychopaths aren’t capable of doing that.

Since we’ve touched upon the topic of relationships, let’s explore how these two mental health conditions affect the partnership sphere.

Impact on Relationships

The aforementioned motivations and behavioral patterns can largely influence social interactions and personal relationships of individuals with narcissism and psychopathy. It’s vital to acknowledge this issue to recognize people who exhibit these personality traits in real life.

Narcissistic Relationships

Narcissists generally strive to make positive impressions on others, but personal relationships with them can be emotionally draining. They are marked by [12]:

• Lack of empathy. It is challenging for people with NPD to sustain compassionate relationships due to a deficit of empathy.
• Exploitative tendencies. Narcissists often perceive people as means to achieve their goals, so they can manipulate, abuse, or exploit others for personal gain.
• Psychological harm. People with NPD can cause substantial emotional damage to their partners through constant control and manipulation. However, they are less prone to physical aggression than psychopaths.
• Passive aggression. Narcissists can perceive other people as a threat if they outperform them in any task or sphere of life. In this case, they can criticize others to restore their wounded ego.

Overall, people with NPD have a history of poor relationships characterized by hostility, criticism, insults, aggression, and exploitativeness. Sometimes their hazardous tendencies can be evident only to their close ones. Their faults are mostly securely concealed under a charming and charismatic surface.

Psychopathic Relationships

Psychopaths commonly tend to lead a solitary lifestyle as they find it challenging to build emotional bonds or sustain relationships. Engaging in relations with a psychopath poses the risk of different kinds of harm [12]:

• Emotional disconnect. Lack of empathy makes psychopaths incapable of understanding others’ feelings, so they can harm people without emotional distress.
• Hazardous consequences. Psychopaths lack conscience and empathy, which makes them capable of displaying violent behaviors and causing severe physical and psychological harm.
• Rough manipulation. Such people often manipulate and control others with complete disregard for their well-being to achieve their goals.
• Deception. Lying convincingly is a “superpower” of psychopaths: to take advantage of others, they use all their charm.
• Exploitative attitude. Psychopaths may exploit others’ vulnerabilities for their benefit, which can result in devastating consequences for their partners.
• Acute reaction to rejection. While some psychopaths may indifferently respond to rejection and proceed to another target, others can explode with anger.

Psychopaths struggle to form meaningful connections as they view people as means for control and manipulation. They aren’t touched by others’ sufferings and experience no guilt for their threatening deeds.

Coping Mechanisms

Communication with people who have pronounced narcissistic and psychopathic traits can harm your emotional well-being. It’s crucial to acknowledge some coping strategies to alleviate the psychological toll and protect yourself.

How to Deal With Narcissists

Dealing with narcissists requires establishing clear boundaries, limited emotional engagement, and a restrained attitude. Any time you expose personal or sensitive information to people with NPD, you arm them with the data they can further use against you. Here’s what you can do to reduce the risk of emotional harm while interacting with such individuals:

• Maintain firm boundaries. Once you set clear boundaries, it’s vital to be consistent so as not to allow people with narcissism to push limits.
• Keep calm. Avoid emotional responses whenever a narcissist applies manipulative tactics. Otherwise, you risk getting caught up in debilitating drama.
• Satisfy your emotional needs elsewhere. Narcissists lack empathy, so they aren’t likely to mind your feelings.
• Reduce the time of communication. Limit the time you spend with narcissists if possible to take care of your mental health.
• Adhere to public interactions. Since narcissists are largely concerned about their reputation, they aren’t likely to behave abusively in public.

These strategies can be especially helpful if you frequently interact with a person with NPD. Try to drum up support from someone you trust or keep a diary to prevent gaslighting.

How to Deal With Psychopaths

Keeping your guard up is vital if you engage in relationships with a psychopath. Certain coping tactics can prevent them from exploiting or manipulating you. Some recommendations, such as setting boundaries, limiting your interactions, and being emotionally detached, are similar to NPD, but they can help deter psychopaths from intruding into your life.

• Stick to clear boundaries. Maintain strict boundaries around your relationship and distance yourself if they become toxic or abusive.
• Confine contact. Psychopaths may have ulterior motives, so try to keep your conversations brief and concise.
• Sustain emotional distance. Be tactful, but don’t invest your emotional resources in the conversation so as not to nurture a psychopath’s interest.
• Look for support. Address trusted people to discuss your situation. The outside perspective can be incredibly helpful.
• Seek professional help. Relationships with psychopaths can be detrimental to mental health, especially if you lack inner resilience. Consider engaging in individual psychotherapy to develop efficient coping strategies against the destructive influence of such individuals.

Always prioritize your mental and emotional health while interacting with psychopaths. They may fake their true feelings and tailor their beliefs to ingratiate themselves with others. If things get too hazardous, it’s reasonable to end the relationship or consult a clinician specialized in this intricate psychological condition.

Treating Narcissism vs Psychopathy

The treatment of patients with pronounced narcissistic or psychopathic traits is considered controversial. People with NPD often deny the need for individual psychotherapy because they have trouble displaying frailty, and psychopathy has long been associated with therapeutic pessimism [13; 14]. However, certain therapy approaches have proven especially effective at treating these complex personality disorders:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT can help patients increase awareness about maladaptive responses, transform cognitive distortions, learn favorable habits, and alleviate symptomatic reactions [15]. This popular therapeutic method encompasses behavioral treatment programs aimed at relapse prevention [14].
• Family therapy. Family therapy may be beneficial for people with narcissism, as they are more motivated to attend it because of the fear of losing their partner. Under the guidance of an experienced mental health specialist, couples and families affected by narcissism can reduce conflicts and foster their partnership.
• Schema therapy. This psychotherapeutic approach has been adapted for patients with high levels of psychopathy. It promotes significant improvements in thinking patterns and psychopathic traits [16].
• Trauma-focused therapy. It can help narcissistic or psychopathic individuals work out their past traumatic experiences that promote present-day symptoms and maladaptive behaviors.

Consistency in treatment can foster a huge degree of change. Though therapy of narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders poses a great challenge, studies confirm that even psychopaths can improve social behavior, interaction skills, and sense of responsibility [14]. It’s vital to accept an official diagnosis and maintain regular therapy sessions to achieve the results.

Conclusion

Narcissism and psychopathy are two complex mental health conditions with distinct traits that may sometimes overlap. They share a lack of empathy, an inflated sense of self-importance, and manipulative inclinations, but differ in several core issues, such as motivation, attachment style, and typical behavior. For instance, narcissists are motivated by a sense of grandiosity, while psychopaths are emotionally detached and calculating.

Recognizing narcissistic or psychopathic tendencies is crucial if you engage in relationships with such people, as it can drastically harm your emotional health. Professional guidance can help people with NPD and psychopathy manage their symptoms and improve their behaviors, but their partners should also seek support from family, friends, or a clinician to promote healthier interactions. Many therapists are trained to work with patients with narcissistic and psychopathic traits, so finding one is a good start.

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