Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD, is a mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and relates to others. People with NPD often have an inflated sense of self-importance, a strong need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
They might seem arrogant, controlling, or overly sensitive to criticism. While this behavior can hurt relationships and create problems at work or in daily life, many people wonder — can narcissistic personality disorder actually be treated?
The answer is yes, but it’s not simple. Unlike some mental health issues that respond quickly to medication or short-term therapy, personality disorders like NPD are deeply rooted patterns of thinking and behaving that usually begin in early adulthood.
These patterns are stable over time and hard to change. However, research shows that with the right approach, people with NPD can make progress, especially if they are motivated and supported over the long term.
Psychotherapy, especially talk therapy, is the main form of treatment for narcissistic personality disorder. The goal of therapy isn’t to completely remove all narcissistic traits — some traits, like confidence and ambition, can actually be helpful when balanced with empathy and healthy self-awareness.
Instead, therapy focuses on helping the person better understand their emotions, relate more kindly to others, and reduce harmful behaviors like manipulation, lying, or emotional abuse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used approaches. It helps individuals identify distorted beliefs, such as “I’m better than everyone else” or “If I’m not admired, I’m worthless,” and replace them with more balanced, realistic thoughts. Over time, CBT can help reduce extreme thinking and improve emotional regulation.
Another helpful therapy is Schema Therapy, which looks at early life experiences that may have shaped the person’s self-image and behavior. Some people with NPD may have grown up feeling emotionally neglected, judged, or valued only for their achievements. Schema Therapy helps them recognize these patterns and build healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
One of the biggest challenges in treating NPD is that many people with the disorder don’t believe they have a problem. They may blame others for their difficulties or avoid therapy because they don’t want to feel vulnerable. However, when people with NPD do seek help — often due to a crisis, relationship breakdown, or depression — therapy can make a real difference.
Medication is not used to treat narcissism directly, but it may be prescribed if the person also has symptoms of anxiety, depression, or mood swings. These symptoms are common in people with NPD, especially when their self-image is challenged or when they feel rejected or criticized.
Studies show that long-term therapy — sometimes over several years — is often needed. A review published in Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment found that individuals with NPD who stick with therapy can experience improvements in empathy, relationships, and emotional stability. Progress may be slow, and setbacks are common, but change is possible.
In the end, treating narcissistic personality disorder requires patience, compassion, and a skilled therapist. While not everyone with NPD will seek treatment, those who do can grow and learn to build more fulfilling, respectful, and emotionally balanced lives. It’s not about curing a personality, but about helping someone develop healthier ways of being in the world.
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