A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: |
1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements). |
2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. |
3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions). |
4. Requires excessive admiration. |
5. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e. unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations. |
6. Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e. takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends. |
7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others. |
8. Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her. |
9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviour or attitudes. |
It is also a requirement of DSM-IV that a diagnosis of any specific personality disorder also satisfies a set of general personality disorder criteria. |