Narcissism is a term used to describe a exaggerated focus on one's self. Self-admiration that is taken to an extreme. The word "narcissism" comes from a Greek myth in which a handsome young man named Narcissus sees his reflection in a pool of water and falls in love with it.

Narcissistic personality disorder is one of a group of conditions sometimes called dramatic personality disorders. People with these disorders have intense, unstable emotions and a distorted self-image. Narcissistic personality disorder is further characterized by an abnormal love of self, an exaggerated sense of superiority and importance, and a preoccupation with success and power. However, these attitudes and behaviors do not reflect true self-confidence. Instead, the attitudes cover feelings of low self-esteem. Like patients with antisocial personality disorder, narcissist has a strong sense of entitlement. He feels that the world owes him, regardless of whether he makes a contribution.

Narcissistic personality disorder often leads to use of drugs, alcohol, of other addictions. Some use anabolic steroids to boost confidence in physical perfection.

Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms and traits may include:

• Believing that you're better than others
• Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
• Exaggerating your achievements or talents
• Expecting constant praise and admiration
• Believing that you're special
• Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings
• Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans
• Taking advantage of others
• Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
• Being jealous of others
• Believing that others are jealous of you
• Trouble keeping healthy relationships
• Setting unrealistic goals
• Being easily hurt and rejected
• Having a fragile self-esteem
• Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional
• Appearing conceited, boastful and arrogant
• Reacting with rage and contempt to criticism
• Monopolizing conversations
• Insisting on having "the best" of everything (the best car, the best athletic club, the best social circle, ect.)
• Become angry when not treated special
• Belittling others to in an effort to make himself or herself look better

Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence or strong self-esteem, it's not the same. Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence and self-esteem into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal. In contrast, people who have healthy confidence and self-esteem don't value themselves more than they value others.

Narcissistic Personalith Disorder is often mixed with other personality disorder traits. Clinically, this is referred to as a mixed Cluster B Personality Disorders. A Cluster Personality disorder is one with symptoms of more than one of the four types identified as cluster B. The Cluster B Personality Disorders are:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder: "pervasive disregard for the law and the rights of others."
• Borderline Personality Disorder: extreme "black and white" thinking, instability in relationships, poor self-image, identity issues and erratic behavior
• Histrionic Personality Disorder: "pervasive attention-seeking behavior including inappropriate sexual seductiveness and shallow or exaggerated emotions"
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy"

(http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/narcissistic.html)