Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are BP and NPD?SymptomsThe BD-NPD RelationshipDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are BP and NPD?
Symptoms
The BD-NPD Relationship
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Traits ofbipolar disorder (BD)can sometimes include signs of narcissism, or a sense of grandiosity and self-importance. It doesn’t occur in everyone and can depend on the type and episode of bipolar disorder, and it’s not the same thing asnarcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
In most cases, they are not co-occurring conditions, either. Research suggests about 4.5% of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have narcissistic personality disorder.The traits are similar, though, despite BD and NPD being two different mental disorders.
This article will explain the similarities and differences between BD and NPD, including their symptoms and underlying causes. It discusses treatment and self-care options for these conditions.
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What Are Bipolar Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition with mood changes among its key symptoms, and distinct subtypes and patterns. The mood changes may last weeks or longer. These include:
Meanwhile, the key NPD symptoms include an inflated sense of importance and extreme preoccupation with the self. People diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder often demonstrate a sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy toward others.
What Are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?Bipolar disorder has three main types:Bipolar 1: “Classic” bipolar, it often involves the characteristic manic episodes alternating with depressed mood.Bipolar 2: This type involves depressive and hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is a milder version of mania.Cyclothymic disorder: It involves less intense symptoms and more rapid mood swings.
What Are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder has three main types:Bipolar 1: “Classic” bipolar, it often involves the characteristic manic episodes alternating with depressed mood.Bipolar 2: This type involves depressive and hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is a milder version of mania.Cyclothymic disorder: It involves less intense symptoms and more rapid mood swings.
Bipolar disorder has three main types:
What Are the Differences Between Bipolar 1 and 2?
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and NPD
Most people with BD or NPD don’t have the other disorder, but they do have their similarities. In particular, the manic phase of bipolar disorder can make a person feel that they’re especially powerful, important, or talented.
That’s a key trait of narcissism, although not everyone with BD has this symptom. Other symptoms that BD and NPD have in common include:
The nature of BD can help you distinguish between garden-variety narcissism and the pathological symptoms of NPD.
It also helps to look at other symptoms. That may help you rule out one of these disorders.
BD Manic SymptomsElation or feeling “high”JumpinessIrritabilityInflated belief in importance, talentShort temperRacing thoughtsTalking fastNeeding less sleepRisky behavior and poor judgmentNPD SymptomsRage, shame, or humiliation in response to criticismTaking advantage of other peopleExcessive feelings of importanceExaggerating talents and achievementsPreoccupation with fantasies of power, and intelligenceUnreasonable expectations of special treatmentConstant need for attention, admirationLack of empathyObsessive self-interest
BD Manic SymptomsElation or feeling “high”JumpinessIrritabilityInflated belief in importance, talentShort temperRacing thoughtsTalking fastNeeding less sleepRisky behavior and poor judgment
Elation or feeling “high”
Jumpiness
Irritability
Inflated belief in importance, talent
Short temper
Racing thoughts
Talking fast
Needing less sleep
Risky behavior and poor judgment
NPD SymptomsRage, shame, or humiliation in response to criticismTaking advantage of other peopleExcessive feelings of importanceExaggerating talents and achievementsPreoccupation with fantasies of power, and intelligenceUnreasonable expectations of special treatmentConstant need for attention, admirationLack of empathyObsessive self-interest
Rage, shame, or humiliation in response to criticism
Taking advantage of other people
Excessive feelings of importance
Exaggerating talents and achievements
Preoccupation with fantasies of power, and intelligence
Unreasonable expectations of special treatment
Constant need for attention, admiration
Lack of empathy
Obsessive self-interest
In NPD, what appears as arrogance is an attempt to hide deep-seated fears and insecurities. This can lead to depression and other traits that may be similar to depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are common in both disorders.
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder and Narcissism
Bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are not the same, but people with BD sometimes exhibit traits of narcissism.
Research continues into the causes of these symptoms, but there’s some evidence that brain changes andneurotransmitters(chemical messengers) are at work in similar ways.Studies have demonstrated that stress and trauma play a role in both bipolar disorder and narcissism, along with other conditions that have similarities.So does genetics.
People experiencing a manic state in BD often demonstrate grandiosity and an inflated sense of self, but their narcissistic behavior isn’t the same thing as NPD. Studies find this may be more common in males diagnosed with BD rather than females.
An Overview of Bipolar Disorder in Women
Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder and NPD
BD and NPD have similar diagnostic processes. It may begin with your healthcare provider, who will give you a physical exam and look at your medical and family histories.
Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order blood work or other tests to rule out other conditions.
You will then undergo a mental health evaluation. Your primary care provider may perform this themselves or refer you to a mental health specialist.
BD Symptoms and Diagnosis
How BD and NPD Are Treated
Some of the treatments for bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are the same. These include psychotherapy and medication.
There are no specific medications to treat NPD, but medications may be used to treat symptoms of the anxiety and depression that commonly accompany the disorder. Treatment involves:
What is CBT?
Bipolar Disorder Treatments
Additional treatments for bipolar include:
ECT and TMS are primarily used when psychotherapy and medications don’t provide enough relief.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Treatments
NPD is difficult to treat, as it’s common for people with NPD to reject therapy or refuse to admit they have a problem.
A type of therapy called individual psychodynamic psychotherapy is believed to be effective for NPD.However, it’s generally a lengthy and difficult process.
Can These Conditions Be Prevented?
There’s no known way to prevent bipolar disorder or narcissistic personality disorder. However, because childhood trauma is linked to both, it may help to get therapy for issues as soon as possible.
If you’re concerned aboutNPD in children, parenting classes or therapy may help you to understand the role of adverse childhood events and other factors that can contribute to narcissistic traits.
Narcissism, Aggression, and Violence
Summary
Some bipolar mania symptoms mimic narcissistic traits. True NPD alongside BD is rare, although some people diagnosed with bipolar disorder may demonstrate an inflated sense of self and a lack of empathy or concern for others.
Genetics, brain chemistry, and childhood trauma may all contribute to the development of these disorders. They’re diagnosed through mental health evaluations and treated with medications and psychotherapy.
If you or someone close to you has BD or NPD, a proper diagnosis and treatment are essential.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bezerra-Filho S, Galvão-de Almeida A, Studart P, Rocha MV, Lopes FL, Miranda-Scippa Â.Personality disorders in euthymic bipolar patients: A systematic review.Braz J Psychiatry. 2015;37(2):162-167. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1459Medline Plus.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association. 2013.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, DSM-5.New Delhi, India: CBS Publishers & Distributors.American Psychiatric Association.What is bipolar disorder?.Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE.Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.Am J Psychiatry. 2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723Schimmelpfennig J, Topczewski J, Zajkowski W, Jankowiak-Siuda K.The role of the salience network in cognitive and affective deficits.Front Hum Neurosci. 2023 Mar 20;17:1133367. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2023.1133367National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Irving J, Colling C, Shetty H, Pritchard M, Stewart R, Fusar-Poli P,et al.Gender differences in clinical presentation and illicit substance use during first episode psychosis: A natural language processing, electronic case register study.BMJ Open. 2021 Apr 20;11(4):e042949. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042949.Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.Medications for mood disorders.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS and other brain stimulation therapies.Kealy D, Goodman G, Rasmussen B, Weideman R, Ogrodniczuk JS.Therapists' perspectives on optimal treatment for pathological narcissism.Personal Disord. 2017;8(1):35-45. doi:10.1037/per0000164
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bezerra-Filho S, Galvão-de Almeida A, Studart P, Rocha MV, Lopes FL, Miranda-Scippa Â.Personality disorders in euthymic bipolar patients: A systematic review.Braz J Psychiatry. 2015;37(2):162-167. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1459Medline Plus.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association. 2013.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, DSM-5.New Delhi, India: CBS Publishers & Distributors.American Psychiatric Association.What is bipolar disorder?.Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE.Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.Am J Psychiatry. 2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723Schimmelpfennig J, Topczewski J, Zajkowski W, Jankowiak-Siuda K.The role of the salience network in cognitive and affective deficits.Front Hum Neurosci. 2023 Mar 20;17:1133367. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2023.1133367National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Irving J, Colling C, Shetty H, Pritchard M, Stewart R, Fusar-Poli P,et al.Gender differences in clinical presentation and illicit substance use during first episode psychosis: A natural language processing, electronic case register study.BMJ Open. 2021 Apr 20;11(4):e042949. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042949.Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.Medications for mood disorders.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.ECT, TMS and other brain stimulation therapies.Kealy D, Goodman G, Rasmussen B, Weideman R, Ogrodniczuk JS.Therapists' perspectives on optimal treatment for pathological narcissism.Personal Disord. 2017;8(1):35-45. doi:10.1037/per0000164
Bezerra-Filho S, Galvão-de Almeida A, Studart P, Rocha MV, Lopes FL, Miranda-Scippa Â.Personality disorders in euthymic bipolar patients: A systematic review.Braz J Psychiatry. 2015;37(2):162-167. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1459
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Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.Medications for mood disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
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Kealy D, Goodman G, Rasmussen B, Weideman R, Ogrodniczuk JS.Therapists' perspectives on optimal treatment for pathological narcissism.Personal Disord. 2017;8(1):35-45. doi:10.1037/per0000164
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