[Noney]

The thing about NPD is that the vast majority of people who have it won't admit that there's anything wrong with them. It's part and parcel with the disease. So, as you say, talk therapy is useless because they don't think they should be in therapy in the first place. But what diagnosing NPD DOES do is give everyone else a framework for dealing with the crazy person. You learn what sets them off, how to maneuver around their puppeteering, and what NOT to say to fall into their traps. It has helped my family immensely, and if in fact his mom does have NPD then there might be some techniques he can use to deal with her.