Why is it that compared to other mental illness's like depression, ADHD, autism and anxiety people seem to be so hostile to NPD? I always see things about 'mental health awareness' yet this is never applied to personality disorders.
Just look up "narcissism", "NPD" or "narcissistic personality disorder" and the results are about how dangerous people with NPD are and how to spot somebody with NPD or if your ex boyfriend is a narcissist etc... etc...
I was watching this video earlier by a YouTube user 'ShortFatOtaku' called "Low IQ Twitter Discourse Awards!" and there was this one guy on twitter who said that if you claim advocate for the mentally ill you such do so with personality disorders as well. A statement I completely agree with:
https://youtu.be/3EJedJ8MhNA YouTube
ShortFatOtaku response with "wow your going to let that narcissist kill you and take everything from you?" I shouldn't have to explain how bad faith and unhinged that is.
Why do people think this way about narcissists? Having NPD doesn't make someone an inherently bad person. As someone who has NPD I haven't abused or manipulated anyone ever. Sure, I struggle with empathy, I have to make an effort to think about other people and ok I have a never ending need for validation but that doesn't mean I'm a bad person I understand I have a problem I didn't choose to be like this. Manipulation and grandiosity are awful traits that I have but they don't define me. I'm a good friend, I'm a good sister, I'm a good coworker and there are people out there who benefit from my existence. NPD doesn't have to define me I'm more then my diagnosis.
I think you raise a very valuable point here. "Narcissist" is so often used simply as a label for the villain with no consideration for the terms use as a medical diagnosis.
In your case, you may be labeled a narcissist but you make a continual conscious effort to account for the weaknesses implicit in that diagnosis. This is different from the vitriolic insult so often used to condemn people.
This is a failure on our part, in the way we use the term. You may be (technically) a narcissist, but, you are not "evil" in the way that others popularly labeled "narcissists" are. You are a good person.
I understand why "narcissist" will be used in a negative way but I've seen people diagnosis anyone they don't like with NPD. It's hard to find any good content online about it because everything is just pop psychology clickbait nonsense.
Nobody irl knows about my diagnosis but I'm afraid of if they find out. If this is all they see they may not want to associate with me. I wish people were more understanding like they are for things like depression or anxiety. It's such a big thing about that I have to keep secret. I'm dating a guy at the moment. I like him but I'm worried about how he would react if he found out. I'm thinking of just keeping it secret forever but I don't know if I can.