Nick Cannon Opens Up About His Narcissistic Personality Disorder Diagnosis and the Path to Healing
Nick Cannon recently shared that he has been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, expressing his desire to seek help and improve. The Masked Singer host revealed the news during a podcast earlier this month, saying he had been “clinically diagnosed” with the condition.
Although Cannon admits he doesn’t fully understand the disorder, he is embracing the diagnosis and using it as a tool for self-improvement. In an interview with People, he said, “I still don’t understand it all the way, but I kind of always wanted to get tested for it.”
Accepting the Diagnosis and Seeking Help
Speaking at the Los Angeles Mission’s Thanksgiving event, where he was volunteering, Cannon emphasized the importance of accepting mental health challenges. “There’s so many labels out there, but it’s like, to be able to embrace it and say, ‘Look, I’m healing. I need help. Show me,’” he shared.
He went on to express how important therapy is to his personal growth: “I just embrace mental health and therapy in such a strong way. To be able to say I’m an example for others, but also be healing during the self-process works too.”
What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance and seeks excessive attention. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with NPD often have difficulties in relationships, work, and other areas of life. The disorder is typically treated with therapy, and it can include symptoms such as:
- A sense of superiority
- A tendency to take advantage of others
- Difficulty managing emotions and behavior
Cannon admitted that while he identified with many of the symptoms, he didn’t resonate with feelings of rage or a lack of empathy.
Cannon’s Journey with Therapy
On his Counsel Culture podcast, Cannon first revealed his diagnosis on November 8, telling psychologist Cheyenne Bryant, “It’s a spectrum, and I think it starts off with confidence, over-confidence, arrogance, and that’s when you step into the space of narcissism.” He explained that understanding the condition has helped him regain control over the label, saying, “I’ve taken all the power away from the term narcissism because I’ve researched it and I understand it.”
Despite the challenges of his diagnosis, Cannon is focused on self-improvement and continues to work with therapists to address his personal growth.
Family and Thanksgiving
In addition to his mental health journey, Cannon spoke about his family life, sharing how he makes time to be with all of his children during the busy Thanksgiving period. “It’s very complicated. I’m a busy man on Thanksgiving,” he acknowledged, highlighting the complexity of balancing family and work commitments.
By embracing therapy and openly discussing his diagnosis, Cannon hopes to inspire others to prioritize mental health and seek help when needed.