Nick Cannon says he’s seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder

CNN
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Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying: “I need help.”

The “Masked Singer” host revealed in a podcast earlier this month that he had been “clinically diagnosed” with the mental illness.

Now he has explained that he accepts the label and uses it to try to better himself.

He told People: “I still don’t fully understand it, but I’ve always wanted to get tested for it.”

While serving meals at homeless charity Los Angeles Mission’s Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday, he said: “I feel like there are so many labels out there, but it’s like you go into it and say can: ‘Look, I’.” I heal. I need help. Show me.’ I’m just so supportive of mental health and therapy.

“Being able to say that I am a role model for others, but also being healing during the self-process also works.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, people with narcissistic personality disorder have “inappropriately high self-esteem,” which causes them to seek excessive attention. The condition, generally treated with talk therapy, can cause “problems in many areas of life,” including relationships, work and financial matters, the clinic says on its website.

The father of twelve children spoke about the diagnosis for the first time in an episode of his podcast “Counsel Culture”. In the episode, which first aired on November 8, he told psychologist Cheyenne Bryant that he had been clinically diagnosed with the disease.

He said at the time: “It’s a spectrum, and I think even it starts with self-confidence, overconfidence and arrogance, and then you enter the realm of narcissism. And there are markers in that.”

Cannon said he identifies with all of the so-called markers, except for lack of empathy and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, other signs – or symptoms – include taking advantage of others to get what you want, feeling superior and looking down on others, and difficulty managing emotions and behavior.

Cannon continued, “I tried to do the work myself and had a lot of therapists.”

He added: “I have taken all the power away from the term narcissism because I have researched it and understand it.”

Regardless, Cannon said in his interview with People that he finds time to see all of his children over Thanksgiving.

“It’s very complicated. I’m a busy man on Thanksgiving,” he said.