UPDATE: July 21, 2011 In the latest revision of the DSM 5, NPD has made its return. A thread about it over here.
You can read their current proposal here: http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevision/Pa ... rders.aspx
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As you know, under the current revision proposal for the DSM-V, we're being somewhat nixed. Interestingly, I went to the DSM5 site today, and saw this:
THIS PROPOSAL FOR PERSONALITY DISORDERS IS UNDER ACTIVE REVIEW WITH A SUBSTANTIAL REVISION EXPECTED SHORTLY. PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT FURTHER ON THESE DISORDERS UNTIL THE NEW PROPOSAL IS POSTED.
Well now. I wonder if we'll be involved?
Anyway, what I really wanted to show you guys was this: it turns out that thankfully we're not the only ones complaining about our removal. Some links:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder in DSM-V—In Support of Retaining a Significant Diagnosis
Some comments on nomology, diagnostic process, and narcissistic personality disorder in the DSM-5 proposal for personality and personality disorders
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A Clinical Perspective
The one to keep your eye on is Elsa Ronningstam at Harvard. I'm tempted to send her a thank-you email. Here's her list of proposed PD Dx criteria, which does a much better job at capturing the internal aspects of NPD than either the current DSM-IV list or the currently-proposed "Trait Domain" stuff:
In a more detailed outline of evidence in support of keeping NPD as a personality type with a set of separate diagnostic criteria in DSM-5, I have suggested the following identifying criteria:
* Grandiosity, an enhanced or unrealistic sense of superiority, uniqueness, value, or capability ex pressed either overtly or covertly and internally
* Variable and vulnerable self esteem alternating between overconfidence and inferiority
* Strong reactions to threats to self-esteem including intense feelings (aggression, shame, and envy) and mood variations (irritability, depression, or elation)
* Self-enhancing and self-serving interpersonal behavior
* Aggressiveness
* Avoiding and controlling behavior and attitudes to preserve self-sufficiency and protect against affects and threats to self-esteem
* Fluctuating or impaired empathic ability
* Perfectionism and high personal ideals and standards, with strong reactions, including aggression, harsh self-criticism, shame, or deceitfulness, when failing to measure up.
I hope her voice gets heard.