Exploring Subtypes in the Narcissism Spectrum (NS) Narcissism is a personality trait . Most (all?) people have this trait but to a varying degree. Healthy narcissism is about self-love without being self-absorbed, i.e., individuals with healthy narcissism can prioritise their own needs while still caring for others. Like autism , narcissism is on a spectrum. A certain amount of it is healthy. However, taken to an extreme, narcissism becomes pathological, i.e., the Narcissis

Challenges in diagnosing Diagnosing Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can be difficult as individuals with this disorder often resist admitting any flaws or seeking help. Their inflated ego and lack of insight into their behaviour can make diagnosis a challenge. On the other hand, diagnosing ASD can be complex due to its wide range of symptoms, varying presentations, and overlaps with other conditions. ASDs without intellectual disability are often diagnosed late in lif

Overlapping symptoms and differences Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and ASD are two distinct condition. However, they share certain symptomatology that can lead to difficulties in differentiating between the two. NPD Note : The term "narcissism" comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a guy who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. While the concept has been around for centuries, it wasn't officially recognized as a personality disorder until the 2

I’ve been always interested in sensory hypersensitivity, but in the past I limited my research with eight senses (vision, hearing, tactility, olfaction, gustation, proprioception, interoception and vestibular system). However, I’ve met a few individuals (on the autism spectrum) whose experiences made me re-think my approach (as their sensitivities could not be classified as any of the traditional eight) and add more categories. How many senses are there? The question of how m

Overlaps, prevalence and comorbidity Overlapping symptoms It is now recognised that ASD and personality disorders (PDs) have a variety of factors in common. However, the exact nature of the relationship between ASD and the PDs remains unclear. Differentiating between ASD in adolescence and adulthood and PDs can often be challenging due to the similarity in symptomatology. For instance: - PDs belonging to cluster A, such as schizoid or schizotypal, exhibit odd behaviours

Is there a hidden connection? Personality Disorders (PDs) and ASDs are distinct yet interconnected psychiatric disorders/ psychological conditions. Despite fundamental differences in their symptomatology and diagnostic criteria, both disorders share certain overlapping characteristics. Firstly, it is important to establish the defining features of PDs and ASDs. Personality Disorders are characterised by enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and inflexible, maladaptive, o

Spirituality and mental health are two interconnected aspects of our well-being. Many individuals draw comfort, guidance, and a sense of purpose from their spiritual beliefs. These beliefs can play a significant role in promoting mental resilience and providing a framework for coping with life's challenges. Spiritual experiences can range from a sense of connection to a higher power or universal energy to divine revelations or encounters with entities beyond the material wor

Historically, what we now know as schizophrenia has been perceived differently across time and cultural contexts. In different cultures (and at different times) the same experiences can be seen either as special gifts or pathological experiences – symptoms of psychotic illnesses and disorders. Those who in the West are referred to as psychotics or schizophrenics, in other cultures can be considered healers or shamans. It is notable that some religions were started by ‘experie

Two Spectra or Continua? Autism and schizophrenia are two complex neurodevelopmental disorders/conditions that have been extensively studied in the field of psychiatry. Although ASD and schizophrenia share some overlapping symptoms and risk factors, they are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions with different diagnostic criteria and clinical presentations. Historical Note Both autism and schizophrenia have a long history, but their understanding and diagnostic criteria have