Research Shows Narcissism Is Hard to Treat – What a Clinical Psychologist Says

Narcissists are hard to change, says clinical psychologist.
Over 50 studies examining narcissism show the same thing.

The path to change for someone with narcissistic personality disorder is narrower than previously thought, according to a new report published in Psychological Bulletin.

Researchers analyzed 51 studies with more than 37,000 participants to see how narcissistic tendencies shifted over the course of a lifetime. They found that narcissism declined over the decades, but only slightly. At best, the researchers saw a modest decline, according to CNBC.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who focuses on narcissistic and competitive personality types, has treated about 50 narcissists, and says these findings reflect her own experiences.

“For the longest time, I felt defeated by the attitude that people with narcissistic personality disorder don’t change,” she says. “But I know that it doesn’t. It won’t change.”

He says people often take comfort in the idea that anyone can get better at any time. But in reality, that’s an idealistic and potentially harmful perspective.

“We have to get rid of our cinematic habits,” he says. “It’s unfair and it’s hard, but the basic truth is that they don’t change.”