Narcissistic Traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder in Dermatology With a Focus on Body-Dysmorphic Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder has experienced intense attention in recent years, however, only scant reports illluminate this topic in consideration of skin and aesthetic care. Contrary to popular belief, the central element of narcissistic personality disorder is fragile self-esteem, fear of shame and abandonment. Patients compensate by relying on external reinforcements and drawing attention to themselves, in which they demand the admiration of others. We often encounter cases in which narcissistic pathology is present, particularly, in the realm of aesthetic care. Narcissistic personality disorder can also be exacerbated by the influence of dysmorphophobia and other psychiatric disorders. Doctor-patient relationships can prove to be particularly challenging, in which professionals possess vast responsibility in how they manage the performance of interventions. Moreover, the use of the term, narcissistic, requires caution: the topic of narcissism has become extremely popular in recent years, yet unprofessional approaches (e.g., in social media) hinders the recognition of serious personality disorders. In our article, a dermatologically focused examination of narcissistic personality disorder is presented, including general misconceptions and contradictions.