7 Ways Narcissism Affects Your Friendships

Last updated by Katie M.

Whenever narcissism infiltrates any aspect of our lives, things become toxic and the dynamics instantly change. When such devious tendencies haunt our friendships, things take a turn for the worst and can even become dangerous for our self-esteem and mental health. Now, whether you are friends with a narcissist or you yourself display signs of this personality disorder, you’ll no doubt agree that this condition strains friendships to the point of completely breaking them down.

7 Ways Narcissism Affects Your Friendships
Contents: 

Narcissistic traits tinge every sort of relationship with underlying toxicity that simply can’t be ignored. Although, folks with this condition like to make people believe that they have plenty of friends and a huge entourage, the reality is starkly different. Not being genuine and using underhand tactics to remain in control are just some reasons why narcissists are lonely and fail to maintain long-term friendships. Now, I’m not saying they are total social pariahs, but they do go through pals as fast as a flash, and never really have a solid core of people they can rely on. I guess the sad truth is that as soon as something, or in this case someone better comes along, they cast people to one side and move on.

How narcissism affects your friendships

Here’s how it grinds amicable relationships to a complete halt.

1) It pushes your friends away

This particular personality disorder means that sufferers hide behind a facade in a shallow attempt to present to the world the person they wish they were. This obviously implies that the confidence they claim to have is simply just an act that they use to hide their scars and past disappointments. After all, no one can really expect to have good and reliable friends when they never accept to lower their walls and let people in.

2) People’s patience will wear thin

Eventually, all the lies and manipulation will tire people out and encourage them to walk away once and for all.

3) Boundaries will become non-existent

Someone with a narcissistic personality won’t ever dream of respecting your boundaries, and certainly won’t take the time to reflect on what makes you feel bad or uncomfortable. Plus, for them, invading your personal bubble gives them a sense of control over you.

4) Feelings will be ignored

This point links into the previous one because no matter how many times you express that you are feeling uncomfortable, yet they won’t even bat an eyelid, and certainly won’t attempt to empathize with you. These kinds of friendships are completely one-way and won’t ever become anything different.

5) The sense of competition will become overbearing

That’s right, these folks have to shine and need to be made to feel special 24/7. Plus, being in competition with other people gives them the spike of adrenaline they need. That being said, these guys always play dirty, so you can expect them to put you down in order to validate themselves.

6) Jealousy will reign

The bottom line is that narcissists are jealous of their friends and simply see them as a commodity, or a means to an end. They don’t genuinely appreciate them and use them to their own advantage in most cases. Furthermore, because they are jealous, they’ll spend their time putting them down and trying to make them feel bad.

7) Guilt-tripping will become frequent

Whenever people don’t play along and dance to the beat of a narcissist’s drum, all hell will break loose. That’s right, sufferers of this condition will completely let rip and spin tall tales of how they feel victimized and ignored. In short, they’ll do anything to make people feel sorry for them.

Do narcissists tend to have a lot of friends?

When it comes to friendships, narcissists love to seduce people, which is why at the beginning, the victims will be convinced that they have met their best friend. That being said, these people are very sociable and love meeting new friends, or should I say victims. For these manipulators, friendship does not exist, nor does love, in fact, the only thing that interests them is using their so-called friends. It will therefore be possible for them to pretend to be a friend, to the point of believing in it themselves because this link brings them something that they could not obtain alone.

How do narcissists treat their friends?

They will often use the same mechanisms, including guilt and gaslighting. Narcissistic friends like to position themselves as victims, because by doing so, they make their prey oscillate from the role of savior to that of executioner. The art of these toxic friendships also consists in reeling in the misfortunes of the other person and knowing how to continually and subtly remind them of them. Indeed, the narcissist in friendship is quite simply the gravedigger of self-confidence, whilst they sabotage the joy of life of their so-called friends. The effects of such a relationship are cruelly felt by the victims. Here, victims suffer a drop in confidence in their abilities, a loss of friends and can sometimes suffer real emotional and financial rackets.

Editor’s opinion - Choose your friends wisely

In a society where we meet so many people, it can be easy to fall under the influence of poorly intentioned people who want to do us harm. If you suspect you have narcissistic friends, keep in mind that you’ll never be able to change them, which is why you need to walk away at the earliest point possible. It’s certainly better to have a few good friends than lots of fake friends…

🤗 Understand yourself, accept yourself, be happy... Let’s do it here and now!

#BornToBeMe

Be sure to check out these articles too;

Article presented by Katie M.

Discover the world through my eyes.

Read our latest articles here:

Psychological Abuse: Identify It To Get Out Of It

A little belittling remark here, minimizing our emotions there... So many little things that show us that we’re being psychologically abused. It may seem trivial, but that’s the problem. We downplay it too much, which makes it the most common type of abuse. So, how do you identify psychological abuse? What should you do if you’re a victim? Let’s explain.

Behavioral Disorders: The List & Their Definitions

I suffer from an eating disorder, and several people around me have a mood disorder. I’m not completely unfamiliar with behavioral disorders, or at least not these. However, there are several types of disorders and they can even affect sexual behavior. So how do you define them? Here’s a list and some definitions related to behavioral disorders.

How Do Narcissists Behave Sexually?

As with many things in life, narcissists also have unhealthy relationships with sex and treat it as nothing more than a self-gratifying activity. After all, manipulation, control, and emotional abuse are their so-called trusty weapons that they hide behind in most circumstances, so why wouldn’t they call on them in the bedroom too? The bottom line is people with this personality disorder are used to getting what they want and will only ever put themselves and their pleasure first, which doesn’t bode well for a healthy sex life. Discover how they behave in the bedroom and what you should do if you are involved with one.

10 Reasons Why Your Ex Slept With Someone Else After Your Breakup

We are all unique individuals, and we, therefore, go about handling breakups and the other obstacles life throws our way, differently. Now, when it comes to breakups, there are those of us that almost become celibate and decide that they can't stand the idea of getting to know anyone ever again. Then, on the other hand, there are those that fill their phones with dating apps and jump from one one-night stand to the next. This second scenario may seem harmless, but once we dig a little deeper into the repercussions of it, we soon realize that sleeping with other people so freshly out of a relationship masks troubling sentiments of unhappiness and uneasiness.

I Constantly Need Recognition

Ever since I was a child, I’ve felt like I do things according to others. My choices and my behavior have long been dictated by the approval of others. As I’ve got older, I’ve learned to assert myself and detach myself from what others might think of my actions. Why do we constantly seek this validation, and how can we get rid of this need for recognition when it becomes toxic? Having been there myself, I’ll explain it all to you!

How To Camouflage Your Cellulite At The Beach

You were well on your way. You were holding on, motivated by the idea of finally having a bikini body this year. But then the lockdowns and the laziness all hit you at once... That’s right, your cellulite is still there and not ready to leave just yet. But guess what?! Cellulite is like a little pimple, either we own it, or we resort to using tricks to camouflage it.

I Never Thought I’d Say This, But I Hate Working From Home…

Work has always been a synonym of repression for me because it takes up so much of our precious time. Let’s be honest, a 9-5 job with a horrendous daily commute often means that work is sadly our sole occupation. So, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck over a year ago, and we were all ordered to stay home, I found it hard to hide my joy in front of my distraught coworkers; although thankfully my acting talents saved me. You can probably already tell, but going into the office every day was nothing less than torture for me. Yet, all these months later, I’ve realized that I despise working from home and would do anything to sit in my uncomfortable office chair once again!

Do We Always Need To Have The Last Word?

Today, I’m focussing on a habit that drives me crazy: wanting to have the last word. It’s probably because I’m not very good at comebacks or self-confident enough that I’m both fascinated and annoyed by people who always want to be right. But why do they always want to have the last word? What’s behind it?

I Still Suck My Thumb As An Adult

In general, thumb sucking ends around the age of 6. I say “in general” and not “normally”, because as an adult I don’t feel weird or particularly bothered by it. When I get stressed, I allow myself to let go and return to my childhood self by sucking my thumb. Those who know about it or catch me by surprise make me realize I should be ashamed… But is this habit a big deal? What if it makes me feel better? It’s certainly no worse than lighting up a cigarette or biting your nails…

Why Do Hugs And Physical Contact Make Me Feel Uncomfortable?

There are people who don’t like to be touched at all, and who are almost disgusted by physical contact. There are people who like to caress and be caressed for anything and everything, and there are people like me who always recoil when someone tries to touch them. Why do I shy away from physical contact? What if it’s all linked to the past?

Wengood's favorite tunes 🎵

Wengood's playlist

wengood

  1. Only LoveBen Howard
    4:08
  2. Invalid date
  3. Fix YouColdplay
    4:55
  4. Beautiful DayU2
    4:08
  5. Thinking out LoudEd Sheeran
    4:41
  6. White FlagDido
    4:00
  7. Lay Me DownSam Smith
    4:13
  8. Nine Million BicyclesKatie Melua
    3:17
  9. Put Your Records OnCorinne Bailey Rae
    3:35
  10. Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey
    4:24
  11. Imagine - Remastered 2010John Lennon
    3:07
  12. Shake It OutFlorence + The Machine
    4:37
  13. Space Oddity - Love You Til Tuesday versionDavid Bowie
    3:46
  14. What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong
    2:19
  15. With Or Without YouU2
    4:56
  16. HelloAdele
    4:55
  17. Don't Stop Me NowQueen
    3:29
  18. Skinny LoveBirdy
    3:21
  19. WingsBirdy
    4:12
  20. Californian SoilLondon Grammar
    3:41


"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." 

- Oscar Wilde


How to detect a narcissist

How to detect a narcissist

How to soothe an anxiety attack

How to soothe an anxiety attack