Changes in Pathological Narcissism

Objective

This study investigated types of change that occur over time in the psychopathology of narcissistic patients. Method: Baseline scores on the Diagnostic Interview for Narcissism of 20 patients, clinically diagnosed as having narcissistic personality disorder, were contrasted with their scores 3 years later by means of t tests and chi-square statistics. The authors then compared these changes in narcissism with the patients' accounts of their life events during the interval between the two assessments. Results: A significant decrease in the overall level of pathological narcissism was found, particularly in the areas of interpersonal relations and reactiveness. At follow-up, 60% of the subjects had reached the cutoff score on the diagnostic interview that indicated significant improvement, and 40% remained unchanged, with a high level of pathological narcissism. A high baseline level of narcissism in interpersonal relations was associated with absence of change at follow-up. Examination of life events in the interval between assessments suggests that changes in pathological narcissism are related to three kinds of experiences: achievements, new durable relationships, and disillusionments. Conclusions: The instability of narcissistic psychopathology found in this study raises questions about the construct validity of narcissistic personality disorder as a diagnostic category and about the core construct of pathological narcissism. (Am J Psychiatry 1995; 152:253-257)