Which personality disorder is characterized by an extraordinary sense of self-importance and a need for admiration, often with envy and a lack of empathy?

• A. Narcissistic personality disorder
• B. Histrionic personality disorder
• C. Borderline personality disorder
• D. Schizoid personality disorder

Answer: (A)

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a strong need for admiration, and a notable lack of empathy best fits Narcissistic personality disorder. People with this pattern often have an inflated sense of their own importance, expect special treatment, and crave excessive praise. They may be envious of others or believe that others are envious of them, and their relationships tend to be exploitative because they struggle to put others’ needs first. This constellation of traits is characteristic and persists across contexts, typically starting in early adulthood.

Histrionic personality disorder centers on being provocative or dramatically emotional for attention, not on a stable grandiose self-view. Borderline involves unstable relationships, mood swings, and fears of abandonment. Schizoid features social detachment and limited emotional expression.