What is the relationship between Depression, Addiction and NPD?
A There is no scientifically proven relationship between depression, addiction and NPD. A person who is suffering from a narcissitic wound sometimes will fall into a deep depression. Sometimes depression sets in with people with NPD because at some level they know that something is very wrong with them. Very often people will turn to alcohol or other drugs in an effort to treat or cover up their depression. Treatment and healing of NPD is difficult (almost impossible) if the real disorder is hiding behind such powerful defences such as depression and addiction. It is important to stress that someone who suffers from a combination of addiction and depression is NOT always working to cover up NPD. In cases where there is addiction and depression covering up NPD and any other disorder, these must be addressed before attempting to NPD or other issues.
