Mental Health & ADHD Comorbidities

[Self-Test] Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Could you have narcissistic personality disorder? Take a NPD test to see if you may be showing signs of this cluster B personality disorder. Share your results with a licensed mental health professional.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Medically reviewed by Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D. Reviewed on September 7, 2022
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What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterized by persistent patterns of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).1

Individuals with NPD have an inflated sense of self-importance, and may become upset or bewildered when they don’t receive the praise and attention they feel they deserve. As such, people with NPD often have fragile, highly variable self-esteem, and tend to be sensitive to criticism. Researchers propose that variable self-esteem, with attempts at regulation via approval-seeking behaviors and grandiosity, is central to NPD.2 People with NPD are also often envious of others, and believe that others are envious of them.

Individuals with NPD have difficulty recognizing and identifying others’ feelings and needs. Fueled by a drive for admiration and special treatment, people with NPD inadvertently or consciously exploit others. Other people may describe those with NPD as snobbish, condescending, and emotionally cold. Ultimately, the symptoms of NPD result in significant interpersonal conflict, impaired functioning, and psychosocial distress.

NPD is a complex disorder, and it often co-occurs with mood, anxiety, substance-use, and other personality disorders, most notably borderline personality disorder (BPD).3 About 6% of the general population has NPD, with higher rates seen in men (7.7%) than in women (4.8%).3

NPD falls under Cluster B personality disorders, which are marked by dramatic, overly emotional, and/or erratic thoughts and behavior.1

If you suspect that you have symptoms of NPD, answer the questions below and share the results with a licensed mental health professional who is experienced in diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders.

This self-test was adapted from the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire Fourth Edition Plus (PDQ-4), the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and from criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is designed to screen for the possibility of NPD, and it is for personal use only. This test is not intended as a diagnostic tool. Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose NPD.

I feel best when other people to take notice of and applaud my accomplishments.

I am special and important in a unique way. I have outstanding qualities that few others possess.

I think I accomplish far more than others tend to give me credit for.

People often complain that I do not realize that they are upset, or that I otherwise ignore or disregard their feelings.

I think most people are jealous of me.

I generally do not feel a strong compulsion to do favors for others.

Others consider me stuck up.

I am often told that I take advantage of others.

I expect other people to do favors for me.

I believe that only certain, special people can truly appreciate and understand me.

I am motivated to do things by the promise of gaining the admiration and positive attention of others.

I often reflect on my accomplishments and fantasize about my future endeavors.

I’m told that I don’t react well – at all – to criticism.

I envy those who get lucky and succeed regardless of work or merit.

Can’t see the self-test questions above? Click here to open this test in a new window.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Next Steps

View Article Sources

1 American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Narcissistic personality disorder. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).

2American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).

3 Stinson, F. S., Dawson, D. A., Goldstein, R. B., Chou, S. P., Huang, B., Smith, S. M., Ruan, W. J., Pulay, A. J., Saha, T. D., Pickering, R. P., & Grant, B. F. (2008). Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV narcissistic personality disorder: results from the wave 2 national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 69(7), 1033–1045. https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v69n0701