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Case Reports
. 2024 Nov 22;24(1):842.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-06307-9.

Adverse childhood experiences leading to narcissistic personality disorder: a case report

Allen G Ross  1 , Santosh Giri  2 , Anayochukwu E Anyasodor  2 , Shakeel Mahmood  2 , Feleke H Astawesegn  2 , M Mamun Huda  2 , Kedir Y Ahmed  2 , Utpal K Mondal  2 , Subash Thapa  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Adverse childhood experiences leading to narcissistic personality disorder: a case report

Allen G Ross et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is associated with a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. In this case report, we discuss the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the development of NPD in adulthood.

Case presentation: Here, we report a clinical case of NPD to illustrate how ACEs, particularly physical and emotional neglect, combined with early life parental overvaluation, can impair emotional regulation and self-worth, contributing to the development of narcissistic traits. We analyse, in light of existing literature, how ACEs are associated with a wide spectrum of personality disorders, how parental overvaluation is linked to grandiose narcissism, and how childhood neglect and abuse are associated with vulnerable narcissism.

Conclusion: ACEs are the primary risk factor for the development of NPD in adulthood. Dysfunctional household environments and parenting practices compound the association between ACEs and pathological narcissism. It is important to address childhood trauma for the prevention and treatment of NPD. Further research is necessary to clarify how individual factors influence the relationship between ACEs and pathological narcissism.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Household dysfunction; Narcissistic personality disorder; Parenting; Psychosocial risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of his personal or clinical details, along with any identifying images, in this study. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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