What is Narcissistic
personality disorder (NPD)?
Narcissistic
personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder that is characterized by extreme feelings of self-importance, a high
need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. NPD can be considered as a pathological form of narcissism. It is estimated that
0.7-1% of the general population are afflicted with NPD. Most people with NPD (50-75%, according to the DSM) are men.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder
Persons
with this disorder present severely overly-inflated feelings of self-worth, grandiosity, and superiority over others. Persons
with narcissistic personality disorder often exploit others who fail to admire them, and are overly sensitive to criticism,
judgment, and defeat.
http://www.frankfordhospitals.org/healthinfo/adult/mentalhealth/glossary.html#N
NPD &
Child Custody
A parent diagnosed with full-fledged Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) should be denied custody and be granted only restricted rights of visitation under *supervision.*
Narcissists accord the same
treatment to children and adults. They regard both as sources of narcissistic supply, mere instruments of gratification -
idealize them at first and then devalue them in favour of alternative, safer and more subservient, sources. Such treatment
is traumatic and can have long-lasting emotional effects.
The narcissist's
inability to acknowledge and abide by the personal boundaries set by others puts the child at heightened risk of abuse - verbal,
emotional, physical, and, often, sexual. His possessiveness and panoply of indiscriminate negative emotions
- transformations of aggression, such as rage and envy - hinder his ability to act as a "good enough" parent. His propensities
for reckless behaviour, substance abuse, and sexual deviance endanger the child's welfare, or even his or her life. (The Narcissist and His Family FAQ #22 - By: Dr. Sam Vaknin http://samvak.tripod.com/faq22.html)
*this rarely occurs -
it's usually the abusers victim (mother reporting abuse) who ends up ordered under supervision and into mental
health treatment.*
