College
College of Arts and Sciences
Mentor Information
Dr. Hector Gomez
Description
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” OR “sex differences” OR gender OR sex). Results came up with 150 articles which were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria dependent on relevance to gender differences in the clinical presentation and diagnosis of NPD. Studies following the “Dark Triad personality traits”, have revealed the misdiagnosis of vulnerable narcissism as anxiety or bipolar disorder in women. This connection suggests a common diagnosis pattern of vulnerable versus grandiose narcissism respectively in women and men. Clinicians rely on diagnostic resources including self-reports, interviews, and ICD-11 & DSM criteria when assessing individuals, conclusions often being influenced by clinician judgement. Social role theory suggests historical gender roles and stereotypes influence how narcissistic symptoms are perceived clinically across genders. Overall, it is implied that current guidelines may not correctly account for gender-related differences in how narcissism is defined and recognized. Future research is needed to distinguish between vulnerable narcissism and other mental disorders in women.
Gender Differences in the Diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Role of Vulnerable Narcissism and Clinical Judgment
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” OR “sex differences” OR gender OR sex). Results came up with 150 articles which were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria dependent on relevance to gender differences in the clinical presentation and diagnosis of NPD. Studies following the “Dark Triad personality traits”, have revealed the misdiagnosis of vulnerable narcissism as anxiety or bipolar disorder in women. This connection suggests a common diagnosis pattern of vulnerable versus grandiose narcissism respectively in women and men. Clinicians rely on diagnostic resources including self-reports, interviews, and ICD-11 & DSM criteria when assessing individuals, conclusions often being influenced by clinician judgement. Social role theory suggests historical gender roles and stereotypes influence how narcissistic symptoms are perceived clinically across genders. Overall, it is implied that current guidelines may not correctly account for gender-related differences in how narcissism is defined and recognized. Future research is needed to distinguish between vulnerable narcissism and other mental disorders in women.
