Clinical characteristics of hospitalized military patients with narcissistic personality disorder

Clinical characteristics of 21 psychiatric military inpatients meeting DSM-III and DSM-III-R criteria for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) were compared to the characteristics of 42 inpatients having other personality disorders (OPD). Chart review indicated that the major differences between NPD and OPD patient groups included a greater likelihood for NPD patients to have been admitted for physically violent conduct and that they were more likely to be undergoing a personally significant rejection, such as divorce or separation, at the time of hospitalization. Additionally, there was a tendency for NPD patients to be sexually abusive towards children, indicating a violation of the incest taboo. Language: en