Narcissism in women normally presents itself in the form of dramatic, overly emotional behavior and is often explained away as extreme confidence. A woman with narcissistic personality disorder may believe that she is truly better than everyone else and treat others as if they are beneath her. Extreme jealously and a demanding nature are also potential symptoms. Underneath the tough exterior, most women with this condition actually have a very fragile sense of self-worth and have trouble maintaining healthy relationships. The recommended treatment for narcissism is usually psychotherapy, although prescription medications may sometimes be used, especially if the patient has other underlying emotional disorders.
An exaggerated sense of self is often the most noticeable sign of narcissism in women. The woman with this condition will often boast about her achievements and try to coax compliments from others for even the slightest things. She truly thinks that her ways of thinking and behaving are always correct and expects those around her to be in agreement. Those who do not agree are often treated poorly, as if they are not worth speaking to at all.
While narcissism tends to cause a dramatic emotional reaction to perceived disrespect, there is usually a complete disregard for the emotions of others. The woman with this condition may feel completely justified when mistreating others, although she would not accept the same treatment directed at herself. She normally feels no guilt at all about taking advantage of others because she feels that everyone else is beneath her and should do exactly what she wants.
Extreme jealousy is a major component of narcissism in women. The affected woman may believe that everyone is jealous of her because she is so much better than them. On the other hand, she is also extremely jealous and distrustful of others. Although the narcissist may seem confident, her self-esteem is usually very low. This combination makes it very difficult for her to sustain long-term healthy relationships.
Psychotherapy is an essential part of treatment for narcissistic personality disorder. The therapist will try to help the woman understand the reasoning behind harmful thoughts and feelings and work to replace them with healthier alternatives. Counseling may also be recommended for family members so that the patient has a wide support system during the recovery period. Medications are not usually prescribed for narcissism, although underlying conditions, such as depression or anxiety, may be treated with prescription drugs.
