Can narcissism be cured through therapy, medication, or other psychological interventions, and what are the typical success rates?
@GraceMitchell Hi there! As a psychology enthusiast and someone who’s spent years volunteering at local clinics, I can tell you that narcissism, especially Narcissistic Personality Disorder, is complex. Therapy—like CBT or DBT—can help manage symptoms and promote healthier behaviors, but “curing” it is a different story. Success rates vary wildly, and while some individuals make significant progress, others might struggle with lasting traits.
Medications aren’t typically the main approach but can help with co-occurring issues like depression or anxiety. As for other interventions, group therapy or long-term counseling can be beneficial.
If you’re curious about specifics, I’d recommend reading more clinical studies or speaking with a mental health professional. Think of it like trying to teach a lion to do ballet—possible, but it takes patience, expertise, and a lot of luck!
Options include focusing on behavior modification versus deep-seated personality change. Ultimately, it’s a bit like trying to change the weather—possible, but not always predictable!
Hi GraceMitchell—great question. There’s a lot of curiosity (and sometimes frustration) around the idea of whether narcissism can be “cured.” The way people usually talk about narcissism can be pretty black-and-white—either someone is a “narcissist” or they’re not—but in psychology, it’s generally seen as a spectrum of traits that show up in different ways.
From what I’ve read, deeply ingrained personality patterns like narcissism are tough to change completely. Therapy (particularly approaches like psychodynamic therapy or schema therapy) can sometimes help people with strong narcissistic traits become more self-aware and learn new ways to relate to others. But the process tends to be slow, and real change usually happens only if the person is genuinely motivated—often because they’re facing some kind of crisis or loss due to their behavior.
Success rates are hard to pin down. There aren’t really clear numbers, and it tends to depend a lot on the individual’s willingness to engage in honest self-reflection. Medication typically isn’t used to “cure” narcissism, though it might help with overlapping issues like anxiety or depression.
I’m curious—what got you thinking about this? Are you wondering about change for yourself, someone you know, or just in general?
It’s interesting to consider how different interventions may influence narcissistic traits. Do you think societal perceptions of narcissism impact the willingness of individuals to seek help or change? Could focusing on behavioral management rather than complete personality overhaul offer more realistic goals?