This is one article from a series of interviews in which we will explore various subtopics relating to Antisocial and Narcissistic PDs.

ASPD and NPD Background

What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

NPD is a type of psychological personality disorder characterized primarily by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Narcissism occurs in a spectrum of severity, but the pathologically narcissistic tend to be extremely self-absorbed, intolerant of others’ perspectives, insensitive to others’ needs and indifferent to the effect of their own egocentric behavior.

What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?

APD (aka ASPD) is a psychological personality disorder characterized by lack of empathy or conscience, a difficulty controlling impulses and manipulative behaviors. This disorder is sometimes also referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy, however, Antisocial Personality Disorder is the clinical terminology used for diagnosis (APA 2000).

Question to Dr. Dobbert

The diagnostic criteria for Antisocial and Narcissistic PDs suggest that these disorders share some similar features. What do ASPD and NPD have in common?

Comorbidity

Interestingly, ASPD & Narcissistic PD are commonly coexisting or dual diagnosed. The Antisocial PD diagnosis is the primary diagnosis if both criteria are presented.

Extreme Egocentricity

Both PDs present extreme egocentricity to the exclusion of others. They believe they are the smartest, the most attractive, most influential, and thus "better" than anyone else. Others fall into a 2nd class position and consequently the PDs believe that they are entitled.

Sense of Entitlement

This entitlement is demonstrated in many ways, often obnoxious, offensive behaviors. They denigrate, humiliate, and embarrass others as a source of humor and a mechanism to "raise" themselves above the other person.

Lack of Empathy

Both those with ASPD and NPD lack concern for the welfare of others. True love and affection are absent, while demonstrations of these emotions are used manipulatively to meet their own needs.

Other Characteristics

These individuals are fully capable of pathological lying and the end result justifies the means utilized to accomplish their goals. They have great difficulty in deferring gratification, engage in pleasurable activities at the expense of others, and require ever increasing levels of stimulation.

More about Dr. Dobbert

A 35 year veteran of the criminal justice profession, Dr. Duane Dobbert has experience as a clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, expert witness, and has developed training programs on identification of sexual predators. He is author of the books Understanding Personality Disorders and Halting the Sexual Predators among Us: Preventing Attack, Rape and Lust Homicide. Dr. Dobbert is currently a Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Additional Resources

Learn more about personality disorders and ASPD or NPD specifically by visiting Psychology Prof Online or one of several Suite101 articles exploring these topics, including: Types of Personality Disorders, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial PD and Narcissism & Psychopathy.