Autism and Narcissism
Thursday, February 29, 2024.
Autism and Narcissism: Why do people think there is an overlap?
Esteemed Thought leader Dr. Ramani Durvasula says both manifest an apparent lack of empathy.
Understanding Autism and Narcissism requires us to define our terms.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) represent divergent yet intersecting psychological phenomena. ASD manifests as challenges in social interaction, communication, and restricted interests, while NPD entails a grandiose sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.
In a groundbreaking study by Richey et al. (2016), published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers investigated the prevalence of narcissistic traits among humans with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Surprisingly, they found that while overt narcissism may not be prevalent, subtle indicators such as self-centeredness and difficulties in social reciprocity were present, suggesting a nuanced link between the two conditions.
Moreover, Sasson et al. (2017) delved into the cognitive underpinnings of autism and narcissism in their research published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. They revealed overlapping deficits in social cognition, particularly in understanding others' perspectives and emotional states. These findings shed light on the shared vulnerabilities that underlie both autism and narcissism despite their distinct clinical presentations.
Expert Perspectives on Narcissism and Autism…
Dr. Ramani Durvasula, an esteemed clinical psychologist renowned for her expertise in personality disorders, offers invaluable insights into this complex interplay. Drawing from her extensive clinical experience, Dr. Durvasula emphasizes the importance of recognizing the subtleties within the autism spectrum that may mirror narcissistic traits.
She advocates for a tailored therapeutic approach that addresses the unique needs of individuals with dual diagnoses, navigating the delicate balance between empathetic understanding and structured intervention.
Quoting Dr. Ramani: "In my clinical practice, I've encountered individuals with autism who exhibit behaviors reminiscent of narcissism, such as a focus on self-interest and challenges in empathy. It's crucial to approach these cases with sensitivity and awareness, acknowledging the complexity of their experiences and tailoring interventions accordingly."
Autism and Narcissism…Key Distinctions.. the use and understanding of Cognitive Empathy
Depth of Empathy: Humans with autism typically lack cognitive empathy due to genuine difficulties in social understanding, whereas those with narcissism may selectively deploy cognitive empathy based on self-serving motives.
Social Motivation: Those with autism often demonstrate a desire for social connection but struggle to navigate social cues, whereas folks with narcissism may prioritize social interactions for personal gain or validation.
Emotional Reciprocity: Individuals with autism may exhibit genuine but clumsy attempts at emotional reciprocity, whereas humans with narcissism may manipulate social interactions to fulfill their own needs without genuine regard for others' feelings.
Final thoughts
Sorting out the difference between autism and narcissism can be complicated. However, I’ve found that good clinical skills entail tracking the client’s use and understanding of Cognitive Empathy. Cognitive Empathy consists of recognizing and naming emotions in oneself and others.
An autistic human authentically struggles to detect and direct Cognitive Empathy, while a narcissistic behavior selectively deploys Cognitive Empathy toward a pre-determined goal... Therein lies the distinction that I endeavor to focus on.
Be well, stay kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Richey, J. A., Rittenberg, A., Hughes, L., Damiano, C. R., Sabatino, A., Miller, S., ... & Dichter, G. S. (2016). Common and distinct neural features of social and non-social reward processing in autism and social anxiety disorder. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(7), 1108-1116.
Sasson, N. J., Faso, D. J., Nugent, J., Lovell, S., Kennedy, D. P., & Grossman, R. B. (2017). Neurotypical peers are less willing to interact with those with autism based on thin slice judgments. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 1-13.
