• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Narcissistic Behavior in a Husband

January 25, 2011 by ds_5462 Leave a Comment

When a person has true narcissistic personality disorder, he believes he is more important than he really is. He feels entitled to special treatment and has an inflated sense of himself. He demands constant attention and is overly sensitive to perceived criticism. A husband who acts selfish may just be temporarily selfish, or he may actually have narcissistic personality disorder. Understanding the signs, symptoms and treatment of the disorder will help you decide whether to ask him to get evaluated.

Significance

Narcissistic behavior in a husband can adversely affect the relationship by causing it to be one-sided. He may fail to consider your feelings, forget your birthday and insist on spending family money on things important to him with little concern about the needs of other family members. Such behavior can devastate the family financially and emotionally if allowed to continue. If your husband also displays narcissistic behavior at work, it will make him difficult to work with, which can block his access to team projects and promotions.

Causes

As of 2010, narcissistic behavior’s cause has not been determined, but experts believe it is in part developed when a person was either over indulged or neglected as a child. If your husband got the message from his family that he deserved whatever he wanted, even if it meant others were deprived, he could have developed narcissistic traits. If he was, instead, neglected or abused, it also could have triggered narcissistic traits as a self-protection mechanism. In addition to the way he was raised, brain structure and functioning also plays a part in the development of the disorder, according to the MayoClinic.com.

Diagnosis

Narcissism is not diagnosed through blood tests or CT scans. It is a disorder that requires carefully examined questionnaires relating to the patient’s attitudes to life. If your husband has true narcissistic personality disorder, it will become apparent through the diagnostic process. If he does not, he may still display some narcissistic traits. Several personality disorders can appear to be narcissism. True narcissism includes a preoccupation with success and power fantasies, a strong sense of entitlement, frequently taking advantage of others, unable to recognize the feelings of other people and behaving in an arrogant manner.

Complications

Drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anorexia nervosa and thoughts of suicide are all potential complications of narcissism, according to the MayoClinic.com. Such issues should be individually addressed in addition to treatment for the disorder itself.

Treatment

Several types of psychotherapy have shown to be effective in treating narcissistic personality disorder. Cognitive behavior will help your husband recognize the unhealthy attitudes he has developed and put positive attitudes in their place. Family therapy will show family members how to communicate effectively and to develop boundaries when it comes to your husband’s constant demands. Treatment for this disorder typically takes several years to complete; however, the initial treatment of complications including depression and anxiety will improve more quickly.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Relationships

About ds_5462

Candace Webb has been writing professionally since 1989. She has worked as a full-time journalist as well as contributed to metropolitan newspapers including the "Tennessean." She has also worked on staff as an associate editor at the "Nashville Parent" magazine. Webb holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a minor in business from San Jose State University.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

After reading "20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids," I … [Read More...] about 10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

Must Have

ToniBox

Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

If you are looking for something to occupy your children … [Read More...] about Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

Did you know?

How to Detect a Miscarriage

abdominal pain on the left side in pregnancy

Abdominal Pain on the Left Side in Pregnancy

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb ?

Signs You're Having a Miscarriage

Signs You’re Having a Miscarriage

How to Fix a Broken Slab of Marble

Refrigerate Fresh Lemon Juice

How Long Can You Refrigerate Fresh Lemon Juice?

How Soon After a C-Section Can I Get Pregnant Again?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.