The Differences Between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Anti-Social Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Anti-Social Personality Disorder, or NPD and APD have very similar features, which makes it easy to get the traits of these two disorders mixed up. Here are the differences between NPD and APD:
1. Narcissists seek attention and admiration
People with NPD constantly seek things to help their “narcissistic supply.” They incessantly search for positive feedback, approval, affirmation, and love from those around them and will go to excessive lengths to satisfy this craving, whereas people with APD are driven by their need for material gain, power, and control. Therefore, their focus is on functional benefits rather than to stroke their egos.
2. Narcissists cling to relationships
For narcissists, they stay in relationships which provide them with validation and recognition, which feed their narcissistic supply. When a relationship sours, narcissists will cling to it, as they feel it defines their self-worth. Anti-social persons build and break off relationships purely by what they can benefit from it financially or psychologically.
3. Narcissists feel and display emotions
Anti-social person’s brain is wired differently than the narcissist. Brain scans of those with APD have shown structural and functional anomalies in the prefrontal cortex, which are are related to remorselessness and impulsive antisocial behavior. Narcissists have emotions that anti-social persons lack, they just tend to be more self-absorbed to respected and sympathize with others.
4. The needs of a narcissist are more overt
Narcissists wear their needs on their sleeves. They will do nearly anything to fulfill their needs, including using emotional displays. Anti-social persons don’t use emotions, apart from anger when they are wronged, and, even then, it is more of a calculated use of aggression than honest feelings.
5. Narcissists are more trusting
People with NPD constantly seek the approval of other people and are impulsive with poor emotion regulation, they are inherently more trusting and may appear naïve. Antisocial individuals are hardened, cannot be manipulated with emotions, and are naturally suspicious of others.
6. Narcissists will take revenge when their pride is wounded
People with APD will only commit an act of revenge when it will benefit them somehow and is worth making the effort.
7. Narcissists are self-obsessed rather than are driven by self-interest
A narcissist’s ego is constructed on how other people view them. People with APD only care about building their self-interest. What other’s think about them is not a concern whatsoever
8. Narcissists are more reactive
Narcissists don’t typically act thoughtfully and will live moment to moment. They will respond rashly to perceived rejection or disrespect. Anti-social persons are better at planning than the narcissist.
source: (x)
