That is true, but many people who are self-absorbed and selfish are not narcissists, so that wouldn't suffice for researchers to rule out other people and disorders. For example, addicts are notoriously selfish, but may not have a personality disorder.

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Darlene Lancer
Darlene Lancer

Written by Darlene Lancer

Therapist-Author of “Codependency for Dummies,” relationship expert. Get a FREE 14 Tips on Letting Go http://bit.ly/MN2jSG. Join me on FB http://on.fb.me/WnMQMH

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I think of narcissism as a spectrum. The disorder is only when the spectrum is severe enough to be classed based on the DSM. I would argue then that an addict that is behaving selfishly is narcissistic. Why is the DSM cast in stone? If the…