A self-psychology approach to narcissistic personality disorder: a nursing reflection

TOPIC: The use of Heinz Kohut's self-psychology perspective in understanding and providing care for patients with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). PURPOSE: To describe how nurses can apply the self-psychology perspective as a way to understand the development of self for individuals with NPD and to enhance the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and patient with NPD. SOURCES: Theoretical literature; the author's clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: Self-psychology provides nurses with a theoretical perspective that can enhance the interpersonal relationship between the nurse and patient with NPD.