3. Stephen constantly brags to his teammates that he is the best player on the team. He dreams of making the big play that wins the game, but in reality the opposite often occurs. Stephen even believes his teammates would never win another game if he quit the team. Stephen may have which personality disorder?
Answer: D
Stephen may have Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Stephen's constant bragging about being the best player and his belief that the team would fail without him aligns with the traits of this disorder.
A) Dependent
Dependent Personality Disorder involves a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behaviors. Stephen's behavior, which includes boasting about his abilities and a sense of superiority, does not reflect dependency but rather an inflated self-image, making this option incorrect.
B) Avoidant
Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterized by feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Stephen's confidence in his abilities and his desire for recognition contradict the core traits of avoidant behavior, thus ruling this option out.
C) Antisocial
Antisocial Personality Disorder involves a disregard for the rights of others and a pattern of violating social norms. While Stephen may exhibit self-centered behavior, his actions do not inherently reflect the manipulative or harmful characteristics typical of antisocial traits, making this option incorrect.
D) Narcissistic
Narcissistic Personality Disorder fits Stephen's profile as it involves a grandiose sense of self-importance, a preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, and a belief that one is special. His excessive bragging and the belief that the team relies solely on him exemplify narcissistic tendencies.
Conclusion
Stephen's behavior clearly aligns with the characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder due to his grandiosity and need for admiration from his teammates. In contrast, the other options do not adequately capture the essence of his self-perception and interactions, confirming that D is the only appropriate choice.