A New label

"A personality disorder is a pattern of deviant or abnormal behavior that the person doesn't change even though it causes emotional upsets and trouble with other people at work and in personal relationships. It is not limited to episodes of mental illness, and it is not caused by drug or alcohol use, head injury, or illness. There are about a dozen different behavior patterns classified as personality disorders by DSM-IV. All the personality disorders show up as deviations from normal in one or more of the following:(1) cognition -- i.e., perception, thinking, and interpretation of oneself, other people, and events;(2) affectivity -- i.e., emotional responses (range, intensity, lability, appropriateness);(3) interpersonal functions;(4) impulsivity."

"Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
While grandiosity is the diagnostic hallmark of pathological narcissism, there is research evidence that pathological narcissism occurs in two forms, (a) a grandiose state of mind in young adults that can be corrected by life experiences, and (b) the stable disorder described in DSM-IV, which is defined less by grandiosity than by severely disturbed interpersonal relations.

If NPD is caused by infantile damage and consequent developmental short-circuits, it probably represents an irremediable condition. On the other hand, if narcissism is a behavior pattern that's learned, then there is some hope, however tenuous, that it's a behavior pattern that can be unlearned.

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy. The disorder begins by early adulthood and is indicated by at least five of the following:

• An exaggerated sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
• Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
• Believes he is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
• Requires excessive admiration
• Has a sense of entitlement
• Selfishly takes advantage of others to achieve his own ends
• Lacks empathy
• Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him
• Shows arrogant, haughty, patronizing, or contemptuous behaviors or attitudes"

I believe she has seven of the nine descriptors. This added with her new fascination with writing p0rnn0graffic (altered spelling to avoid spam and freaks) "dreams" and sharing them with classmates makes any progress seem false and our efforts useless. Just a little more disappointment. Checked out a therapeutic camp in Utah that has RAD kids work with horses and requires a one year stay. Appears that only the states of California and Alaska understand that this kind of long-term retraining is critical. Texas Medicaid will not cover it. This place is not on my insurance provider list, but even if they were, my insurance (most insurance companies) will not pay for more than 30-60 days without MEDICAL reason. So, once again if feels like this is a constant, but useless battle.

For more information on this disorder, see http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/dsm-iv.html