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Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Recent Research and Clinical Implications

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Abstract

This review is focused on integrating recent research on emotion regulation and empathic functioning with specific relevance for agency, control, and decision-making in narcissistic personality disorder (NPD, conceptualized as self direction in DSM 5 Section III). The neuroscientific studies of emotion regulation and empathic capability can provide some significant information regarding the neurological/neuropsychological underpinnings to narcissistic personality functioning. Deficiencies in emotion processing, compromised empathic functioning, and motivation can influence narcissistic self-regulation and agential direction and competence in social interactions and interpersonal intimate relationships. The aim is to expand our understanding of pathological narcissism and NPD and suggest relevant implications for building a collaborative treatment alliance.

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Ronningstam, E. Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Recent Research and Clinical Implications. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 3, 34–42 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-016-0060-y

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