Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the disorder can:

>Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance

>Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration

>Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it

>Exaggerate achievements and talents

>Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate

>Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people

>Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior

>Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations

>Take advantage of others to get what they want

>Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others

>Be envious of others and believe others envy them

>Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious

>Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:

>Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment

>Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted

>React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior

>Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior

>Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change

>Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection

>Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation