Narcissism and Autism

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Sam Vaknin

Southern Federal University, Russia

: Int J Ment Health Psychiatry

Abstract

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While the narcissist avoids pain by excluding, devaluing, and discarding others - the autistic patient achieves the same result by withdrawing and by passionately incorporating in his universe only one or two people and one or two subjects of interest. Both narcissists and autistic patients are prone to react with depression to perceived slights and injuries - but Autistic patients are far more at risk of self-harm and suicide. Research Note: Asperger's Disorder (renamed in the DSM V Autistic Spectrum Disorder Level 1) is often misdiagnosed as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), though evident as early as age 3 (while pathological narcissism cannot be safely diagnosed prior to early adolescence). Personality disorders cannot be safely diagnosed prior to early adolescence. Still, though frequently found between the ages of 3 and 6, Asperger's Disorder is often misdiagnosed as a cluster B personality disorder, most often as the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

Biography

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Sam Vaknin, Ph.D., Visiting Professor of Psychology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia and Professor of Finance and Psychology in CIAPS (Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies).