Lithium doesn't directly cure Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), but it's used as a mood stabilizer to help with co-occurring symptoms like depression, extreme mood swings, and impulsivity often seen in people with NPD, potentially improving their overall functioning and making therapy more effective by calming agitation and instability. Doctors may prescribe it to manage these related issues, not the core NPD traits, as NPD itself isn't FDA-approved for specific medications.
Medicines. There are no medicines specifically used to treat narcissistic personality disorder. But if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other conditions, medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines may be helpful.
Lithium is used to treat mania that is part of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness).
6 Ways To Stop Narcissistic Behavior
Medication may also be helpful in managing the symptoms of NPD. Antidepressants and mood stabilisers may be prescribed to help regulate emotions and reduce impulsivity. However, it is important to work with a mental health professional to find the right medication and dosage.
Recognizing these commonalities can help you understand and cope with people who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder, untreated alcoholism, or both. Both narcissists and alcoholics tend to be: Driven by their drug of choice. Narcissists' drug of choice is attention.
Lithium is compared with desipramine in 10 patients diagnosed with BPD in a 6-week double blind, placebo controlled study. In this study, it has been reported that lithium was effective against basic psychopathological features of BPD; irritation, anger and self-harming behavior [44].
Narcissistic traits often peak in late adolescence and early adulthood (around ages 14-23), particularly with grandiosity and entitlement, as individuals seek identity and status, but then tend to decline as people mature and face life's realities, though some individuals with NPD may see intensification in these years before a potential mellowing in middle age.
The "3 E's of Narcissism" refer to three core traits often seen in individuals with narcissistic tendencies: Empathy impairment, a profound lack of understanding or sharing of others' feelings; Entitlement, a belief they deserve special treatment and admiration; and Exploitation, using others for personal gain without guilt. These characteristics highlight how narcissists often struggle to connect emotionally, feel superior, and manipulate people to meet their own needs.
Understanding their behavior, setting firm boundaries, and finding ways to protect your emotional well-being are key to navigating this dynamic. With the right strategies and support, you can create a healthier balance despite their actions. Therapy can help you leave and recover from a narcissistic relationship.
Results indicate that such a course of lithium in normals induces dysphoric mood change and psychomotor slowing, without significant relationship to either plasma or RBC lithium concentrations.
A naturally occurring salt, lithium has been dubbed both a miracle drug and the gold standard in the treatment of bipolar disorder, alternatively—and perhaps more descriptively—known as manic-depressive disorder.
Lithium is used to treat certain mental health problems, such as: mania (feeling highly excited and overactive) hypomania (like mania, but less severe) bipolar disorder, where your mood changes between feeling very high (mania) and very low (depression)
Complications of narcissistic personality disorder, and other conditions that can occur along with it include:
Empathize with Their Feelings
It is extremely soothing to Narcissists when you demonstrate that you understand and empathize with how they feel. But..do not insert anything about how the situation makes you feel, or anything about you at all unless it is an apology.
Ultimately, a healthy relationship with a narcissist is dependent on the non-narcissistic partner having good self-esteem, solid boundaries, a support network, and a reason to stay. Say you have a partner with NPD. At first, they may come across as charming and charismatic.
Based on some overlapping symptoms, borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are two mental health disorders that are often mistaken for one another.
The number one trait of a narcissist is often considered a grandiose sense of self-importance (grandiosity) combined with a profound lack of empathy, where they see others as tools for their own gain and have an inflated, often unrealistic, view of their own superiority, needing constant admiration without acknowledging others' feelings or needs, as highlighted by HelpGuide.org and The Hart Centre. This core creates other behaviors like entitlement, manipulation, and arrogance, making them believe they deserve special treatment.
As a Harvard-trained psychologist, I've found that there are seven phrases you'll hear from highly narcissistic people:
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A narcissist's apology is usually fake, manipulative, and lacks genuine remorse, focusing on shifting blame, avoiding responsibility, and regaining control rather than acknowledging wrongdoing, often using phrases like "I'm sorry if you were offended" or "I'm sorry but you started it," leaving the recipient feeling worse and unheard. They lack empathy and accountability, using these "fauxpologies" to disarm criticism, preserve their ego, and quickly move past conflict to get what they want.
Overview. Common BPD medications include antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin), antipsychotics (Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa), mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants (Lithobid, Depakote, Lamictal, Tegretol), and anti-anxiety drugs (Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, Buspar).
How can I help myself in the longer term?
Natural antidepressants can support your mental health by boosting mood and brain function. These include foods like omega-3s and leafy greens, supplements and lifestyle habits like exercise and mindfulness. Talk to your provider before starting anything new.