How Narcissism Actually Works

Jacob Skidmore was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD, in 2022. He’s known online as the Nameless Narcissist.

Skidmore uses his platform to explain how narcissism actually feels from the inside: the constant calibration of admiration, shame, control, and image. He speaks to Business Insider about what drives narcissistic behavior, the difference between confidence and pathology, and what recovery, or responsibility, looks like for someone who knows they hurt others and still wants to change.

Awareness of NPD is at an unprecedented level. Increasingly, individuals who identify with NPD are sharing their experiences through social media and public interviews.