Profiling the Don Juan Syndrome

Let’s remember that personality disorders represent a set of conditions that interfere with normal interpersonal relationships. In the long run, the constellation of traits that compose the disordered personality will undermine long term intimacy or friendships. Thus the relationships of those with personality disorders are usually shallow, detached or brief.


This characterizes the type of narcissistic personality disorder called the “Don Juan” syndrome. Persons with this form of exaggerated self importance use sex to manipulate and gain emotional pleasure. The narcissist does not care about the feelings or satisfactions of other people, but rather views them as animate tools for their own ego enhancement. Sex becomes a ongoing means to this grandiose, self centered goal. While the Don Juan, whether male or female, may appear attractive and desirable, they do not seek true intimate relationships. Rather they require continued sexual conquests in order to feed an insatiable need for superiority or perfection.