The God complex

Narcissistic personality disorder is defined as someone who feels superior to others, lacks empathy, has an exaggerated sense of their self-worth and ability, and a need for admiration. They are sensitive to criticism or apparent failure but may not outwardly show how much it has affected them.

To others, narcissists appear arrogant and self-centred. In a mild form, they might be labelled as a "self-centred jerks" or "full of himself," sometimes known as "the God complex".

But in more severe cases the trait can lead to violence and rage, particularly if the narcissist feels rejected, humiliated, degraded or that the fantasy lifestyle they have built around themselves is in some way threatened.

Famous people branded as narcissists include Hitler and Stalin, Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Eva Peron, Peter Sellers, Casanova and Marlon Brando.