IMO, narcissism is just an addiction like any other

"Their brain is wired differently. Empathy doesn't develop at all and it's not something they control."

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Then NPDs cannot be expected to change their behaviour - and therefore, they don't even have to try. They can go right on using other human beings as a drug *even when aware that that's what they do*, and can be safe in the knowledge that their drug will never be threatened.

Which is exactly what all addicts want more than anything - to protect their drug.

I hold out hope that NPDs can be treated and learn to relate to other people in a normal, healthy fashion. My ex-husband went from normal to NPD, and therefore it leaves room for hope that he (and others) can go from NPD to normal. The extreme loneliness, the absence of normal human relationships that NPDs live with, seems like the worst kind of hell to me. I would like to think that there is hope to recover from such a state.

I'm sure you are all familiar with Dr. Drew Pinsky's book on Acquired Narcissism. That gave me hope, too.

Exactly what makes you think that he went from normal to NPD? How do you know he's NPD and not just a power hungry jerk, for example? Like people have pointed out, you can't just switch from normal to a personality disorder.
People with NPD are expected to change, they are asked to get therapy all the time, I bet. And it probably can be treated a little bit, I'm definitely not an expert, but look at everyone on this forum, they're trying to understand their disorder.

I know you've been hurt and you're trying to get validation for what you're going through, but if this thread will end up bothering the NPDs who post in this forum, I will have to ask you to move to one of our abuse forums (the domestic abuse forum, for example) and share your story there so you can get support.

Maybe he has ASN as a result of his life event/experience in joining the Big Corporation? Almost as celebrities can develop when their career takes off. That is plausible.

But it's totally different to NPD - maybe this is the source of the cross-purposes on the thread.

I'm in agreement with Jasmin here. It is considered hostile to make a thread like this. Maybe not intentionally, maybe the OP is really hurting and is at the very raw stage of understanding all that happened. But to come here and No doubt trigger other users is just insensitive. Maybe you are used to other forums where any thing goes. Here, we do our very best to have a higher standard of behavior and treat one another with dignity.
So, for you, the Op, I want to say that you will find it much more helpful for yourself to post in the relationships forum. No individual is just their Diagnosis. And you are much more than what you have endured with a person with A diagnosis.
My parents sound very much like what you described, so I feel for that part of your past.
Please consider shifting your focus from blaming a disorder to finding some healing and closer so that you can move on.
Take good care,
One

Okerry, I moved your thread to the relationship forum as it seems to trigger some sensitive NPDs. I'm sure people will still find this discussion interesting.

okerry wrote:"Their brain is wired differently. Empathy doesn't develop at all and it's not something they control."

************
Then NPDs cannot be expected to change their behaviour - and therefore, they don't even have to try. They can go right on using other human beings as a drug *even when aware that that's what they do*, and can be safe in the knowledge that their drug will never be threatened.

Which is exactly what all addicts want more than anything - to protect their drug.

I hold out hope that NPDs can be treated and learn to relate to other people in a normal, healthy fashion. My ex-husband went from normal to NPD, and therefore it leaves room for hope that he (and others) can go from NPD to normal. The extreme loneliness, the absence of normal human relationships that NPDs live with, seems like the worst kind of hell to me. I would like to think that there is hope to recover from such a state.

I'm sure you are all familiar with Dr. Drew Pinsky's book on Acquired Narcissism. That gave me hope, too.

Acting like you are a narcissist r even being "narcissistic" is not the same as having NPD. "NPD" seems to cover a few different things, but NPD - or any other personality disorder are not just synonyms for abusive behaviour. Yes people with personality disorders do have "addictions" to various types of behaviour or interaction, but these addictions are as a result of underlying problems. lack of empathy in people with cluster B personality disorders is usually due to things like incorrect mirroring (this happens when a child is still in infancy) or other needs which weren't met sufficiently for empathy to develop normally. those things CAN be addressed with extensive therapy, but are not a result of an addiction. its the other way round - the "addiction" develops in response to that underlying psychological damage. NPD is not aquired narcissism. edit: meaning it cannot happen later in life. - its aquired in childhood.

katana wrote: lack of empathy in people with cluster B personality disorders is usually due to things like incorrect mirroring (this happens when a child is still in infancy) or other needs which weren't met sufficiently for empathy to develop normally. those things CAN be addressed with extensive therapy, but are not a result of an addiction. its the other way round - the "addiction" develops in response to that underlying psychological damage. NPD is not aquired narcissism. edit: meaning it cannot happen later in life. - its aquired in childhood.

It's not known what causes narcissistic personality disorder. As with other mental disorders, the cause is likely complex. Some evidence links the cause to a dysfunctional childhood, such as excessive pampering, extremely high expectations, abuse or neglect. Other evidence points to genetics or psychobiology — the connection between the brain and behavior and thinking.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcis ... ION=causes

The topic has been moved to the relationship forum.