Can someone please explain to me the difference between ADHD and NPD (narcissisic personality disorder). How do you know if the selfishness, in your own world and signs of withholding empathy or love is not an underlying case of NPD?
As an ADHDer myself I can tell you that selfishness and a lack of empathy is not ADHD but it is definitely a symptom of NPD. Other (NPD) symptoms include grandiose thinking (thinking that they're more important than other people or that their lives are more valuable than certain others for no logical reason, thinking they should be famous), a haughty attitude (snobby), extreme anger when people don't play into their grandiose beliefs or are able to prove that these beliefs are false.
NPD people show absolutely no empathy for others unless there is something for them to gain (so the empathy they show is fake). For instance, when I was seven my heart when into arrythmia. My father refused to believe me even though I was weak to the point I could barely move, called me lazy and threatened to punish me if I "did this again." When the doctor found out how ill I had been, he reprimanded my parents and talked to them privately. After that, Dad showed empathy only to get himself out of trouble. I know this because recently, two weeks ago, after my heart surgery he told me the doctor said to remember that everyone's heart beats fast and that it's normal. That's what he used to tell me when I was seven, telling me I don't have an excuse for not getting up. I asked my mother about this and found out the doctor said no such thing. See my point?
And part of the problem is that NPD people are usually very clever, so that they're actions can usually be explained away or interpreted differently when re-counted to other people. They are able to cover up when it counts.
In therapy, ADHD and NPD can be distinguished because when the faults of the ADHD person are pointed out, they show signs of remorse. They also show empathy towards others when they are able to focus (unless they are also NPD which can happen). NPD person gets angry when their faults are revealed or are asked to see another person's point of view and refuse to acknowledge that there is anything wrong with their behavior. NPD people would never admit to being ADHD unless they can somehow use it to their advantage.
cheekydeeky38220.5526041667Sometimes those of us with "ADD-enhanced" brains are viewed by others as being totally self-centered and narcissitic. I think this happens because it often takes almost 100% of our energy and attention in order to try to conform to the non-ADD world we live in.
It takes so much of my energy and concentration to do well in my job, make sure my clothes are ready, get a haircut when I need it, have my car serviced,etc. I just don't seem to be able to pay attention to what is going on in other people's lives.
But I really do feel awful about it when I realize I do do this.
I agree with both cheeky and Chaz. Chaz, you explained the way it is for us perfectly! Cheeky, you showed the differences so very well.