Narcissistic Personality Disorder

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Specializes in adult ICU.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnostic classification system used in the United States, as "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy."[1]

The narcissist is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige.[2] Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness.

From wikipedia.

Is it just me, or are you surrounded with people like this (and I'm not talking about those of you that work in psych specifically?)

Seems like everybody I come across these days at work and in other arenas displays many if not all of these characteristics, and it is by no means just the doctors. How about those nurses that still wear the cap/white dress to work? I have to think they do that in part because they have some sort of unfulfilled psychological need. It's certainly not practical anymore.

Can I just throw out there a big huge "GET OVER YOURSELF!" ?!?!?

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Does someone need a hug? :hug:

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Whoa...the DSM-IV includes the criterion of wearing a white dress/cap for a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder? When did that happen?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is extremely rare. Most people are schmucks because they choose to be schmucks, not because they have a diagnosable disorder.

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Well, I was with you up until the part where you suggested that those of us who choose to still wear whites and our caps have something wrong with us ... :rolleyes:

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Specializes in adult ICU.

OK, I'm sorry (really I am), I'm not trying to offend anyone that still wears their whites and caps. But, of those of you that do, can you PLEASE explain to me the rationale behind why you particularly do it? I just can't see any reason for it in this day and age besides it being a way to draw attention to oneself (because you do know, in a sea of ceil blue, you stick out like a sore thumb, right?) I would love to know.

I had a couple of hard days at work. I'm one of those that tries to keep a low profile and it seems like a whole bunch of nutcases have popped out of the woodwork, and they all can't help but want to talk over each other louder and everyone has a point to prove for some reason. I wanna go hide in the med room!!!!! It's been like .... GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!! I can go into specifics, but I don't want to write a novel.

So yeah, I'll take the hug.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I don't see anything wrong with a nurse choosing to wear white caps/dresses, if that's what they want to do. It's a symbol of nursing. Just because YOU find it impractical, doesn't mean they do. It's not up to you.

I hardly find it "narcisstic," it's the upholding of tradition. I've been an RN for almost a decade, meaning past the point where dresses and caps were the norm, so they don't hold as much significance to me. That's my personal opinion only.

Now, my EX, there's some NPD there! But that's a whole other topic, and not nursing-related. :lol2:

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
OK, I'm sorry (really I am), I'm not trying to offend anyone that still wears their whites and caps. But, of those of you that do, can you PLEASE explain to me the rationale behind why you particularly do it? I just can't see any reason for it in this day and age besides it being a way to draw attention to oneself (because you do know, in a sea of ceil blue, you stick out like a sore thumb, right?) I would love to know.

I had a couple of hard days at work. I'm one of those that tries to keep a low profile and it seems like a whole bunch of nutcases have popped out of the woodwork, and they all can't help but want to talk over each other louder and everyone has a point to prove for some reason. I wanna go hide in the med room!!!!! It's been like .... GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!! I can go into specifics, but I don't want to write a novel.

So yeah, I'll take the hug.

:hug:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I love how the DSM-IV takes annoying personalities and turns them into a disorder, thereby taking the onus of change off the "victim." I once looked up histrionic personality disorder (yes, it's a "disorder"), and thought, "When did being a drama queen become a disorder?!" :lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

Keep in mind, some floors have a dress code. I personally don't like the all white look, because I'm fair skinned and it makes me look sicker than the patients. Not to mention I'm a complete klutz for some reason when I wear white, and I'd spend a fortune on replacing white scrubs -- betadine will LEAP off the treatment cart to land on me; I'd look like I'd rolled on the floor 30 minutes after the shift started. Give me a nice deep green or navy blue any day.

And it sounds like you got a job where I used to work. There were nights where I really wanted to bring earplugs....

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

Yeah I work with some real nut jobs too. Don't know how they made it through school. You can't get away either because they follow you bellowing down the hallway at 2am in minute detail about the most ridiculous things. Good gravy, I work night shift to escape those people but a few have snuck through the cracks.

P.S. The best place to hide is the bathroom.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I love how the DSM-IV takes annoying personalities and turns them into a disorder, thereby taking the onus of change off the "victim." I once looked up histrionic personality disorder (yes, it's a "disorder"), and thought, "When did being a drama queen become a disorder?!" :lol2:

I know a gal I could introduce you to, and then you'd believe it. :yeah::p

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