Struggling with conflicting opinions on my NPD diagnosis

My therapist says I don't have NPD but my friend with several Cluster B PDs says I do and I'm just caught in the middle. Who do I believe? How can I find a definitive answer? I'm learning a lot about myself by reading about NPD and relating to many things, but everything I've told my therapist about she's said is normal or comes from other roots that aren't NPD. For the most part, we get on really well and I trust her so it's really throwing me through a loop.

Your answer

sillyashell

1y ago

Medical professionals get hesitant with personality disorders usually. Ask her what parts she thinks can be explained by other things and look into those things, compare them to NPD, and talk to her about it. Some parts she thinks as being "normal" is something I find interesting. Insecurity and jealousy are normal emotions that people have but NPD insecurity and jealousy I find is all-consuming, hard to control, and if you're not careful you shatter relationships over it. NPD can overlap with some things, I find I relate to my autistic friends alot, but the underlying reasons for the symptoms are different

Finleaf

1y ago

An example I remember her saying is that my need for constant positive attention and external validation "isn't from NPD" but from "a need to feel seen" bc of my childhood trauma, for example. I am also autistic so I imagine she is seeing the same overlap that you do between you and your autistic friends! Stuff like my maladaptive daydreaming of myself as the most loved, charming, intelligent etc. person; making friendships which mainly function to boost my self esteem; and the hierarchal way I categorise who is worth my time and who isn't, I said I thought was normal and she didn't disagree. She said all she saw was a person who was deeply self-aware. I wouldn't say my jealousy is all-consuming to be fair, but insecurities definitely. I do have complex trauma so I guess that's to be expected

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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