Sociopath or a Narcissist?

Narcissism exists on a continuum, but someone with NPD is grandiose (sometimes only in fantasy), lacks empathy, and needs admiration from others, demonstrated by five of the following traits:

  • A grandiose sense of self-importance and exaggerates achievements and talents
  • Dreams of unlimited power, success, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
  • Lacks empathy for the feelings and needs of others
  • Requires excessive admiration
  • Believes he or she is special and unique, and can only be understood by, or should associate with other special or of high-status people (or institutions)
  • Unreasonably expects special, favorable treatment or compliance with his or her wishes
  • Exploits and takes advantage of others to achieve personal ends
  • Envies others or believes they’re envious of him or her
  • Has “an attitude” of arrogance or acts that way