Being around a narcissistic personality has truly damaging effects on both our self-esteem, and the perception we have of ourselves. Narcissists are masters of manipulation, and their behavior can be incredibly damaging to those around them. Whether you’re dealing with a narcissistic partner, friend, or colleague, their self-centeredness, lack of empathy, and need for control can leave you feeling emotionally drained and questioning your own worth. Recognizing the signs of narcissism is crucial to protecting yourself from their toxic influence and setting boundaries. Here we are dealing with a personality disorder characterized by a tendency to be self-centered, exaggerate one's talents and lack empathy. These traits can certainly become problematic for sufferers and those around them. In fact, sufferers often turn to bullying and gaslighting to get us to believe their own hype.
As it happens,
1% of the general population are narcissists; meaning being able to recognize them in your vicinity is absolutely crucial.
What are 10 traits of a narcissistic character?
What are the characteristics of narcissistic behavior?
1. The person is hugely self-centered.
This facet of their personality runs deep, and they regularly behave in childish ways with their excessive sense of self-importance. Narcissists are consumed by their own needs and desires, often at the expense of others. Conversations with a narcissist tend to revolve around them, as they constantly seek validation and admiration. They will always make it about themselves. They have a strong tendency for megalomania and always feel the need to outdo others, whilst demanding attention and admiration.
2. They are incapable of showing empathy.
Likewise, people with narcissistic tendencies demonstrate terrifying emotional coldness. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, but narcissists lack this crucial trait. If their victim expresses discomfort because of something the narcissist has done, they will do everything to prove that their victim is wrong, and that they are indeed loving and caring. A lack of empathy is really one of the typical characteristics, because these folks aren’t affected by sadness and aren’t bothered by making other people cry either. Their inability to connect with others on an emotional level makes it difficult for them to form genuine, meaningful relationships. In some cases, knowing that they’ve hurt someone can even give them a certain pleasure.
>>> Read up on our tips to recognizing a sociopath
3. They see themselves as being THE most important person in the room.
People with NPD overestimate their accomplishments and expect to be recognized as superior, without having accomplished anything that would warrant such recognition. They also constantly put forward certain successes or strengths without nuance, and aren’t shy in amplifying these so-called accomplishments. They are often absorbed by fantasies of unlimited success, power, splendor, beauty, or ideal love. However, this in fact translates into them being dissatisfied with their everyday life.
4. They lie and are always vague.
They will never clearly express their opinions, feelings, or needs. Instead, they constantly seek to maintain ambiguity so that their victim continually tries to understand them. Lying is also common amongst them, and they spend their time inventing stories to make themselves look good. Indeed, they have a huge need for recognition and will do anything to flatter their inflated ego.
5. They tend to criticize and devalue.
They belittle their victims in order to better control them and enhance their own self-esteem. Narcissists often use criticism as a weapon to undermine others and boost their own self-esteem. Furthermore, they’ll attack people’s appearance by making negative comments about weight and even dress sense, for example. When this is repeated on a daily basis, these phrases undermine the victim's self-confidence and make them doubt themselves. Humiliation, intimidation, verbal and psychological violence are also common tactics they use.
6. They demand perfection from others.
They believe that people must respond immediately to their questions and needs. With a narcissistic pervert, there is absolutely no room for error because they simply don’t forgive. They’ll remember everything and often bring things up from the past that could embarrass you or make you look bad. For one of them, you’ll never be good enough to meet their expectations.
>>> This article might interest you: How to stand up to a narcissistic manipulator
7. They are two-faced.
A narcissistic personality is difficult to identify because they play a double game. On the one hand, they will be incredibly psychologically violent, but on the other, they will come across as charming and polite. From the outside, nothing appears off, which is why so many people’s entourages are shocked when they find out who they are really dealing with. Narcissists are experts at presenting a charming, likable facade to the outside world while hiding their true, manipulative nature. This duality makes it difficult for others to recognize the narcissist’s true character, and it often leaves their victims feeling isolated and disbelieved when they try to speak out.
8. They know how to win people over.
Think you're safe from this kind of person? Beware, because once the manipulator has spotted their prey, they know very well how to lure them in. They come across as very charismatic and endearing, which means that only few people resist them. They will tell you what you want to hear and play the Prince Charming card, yes that’s right, they’ll seem like the dream partner… until they reveal their true intentions.
9. They feel inferior, but will never show it.
Someone suffering from this disorder will display arrogant and haughty attitudes towards people, and won't hesitate to put them down. That's right, they need to discredit other people in order to feel better about themselves and what they have to offer as people. Their behavior is also likely to be tinged with a sense of dominance.
10. They get angry when they aren’t in control.
They regularly need to verify that they have complete control over their victim, and that they are completely isolated. To accomplish this, they know how to confuse their victim and make them believe falsehoods. If this happens, it is best to analyze their actions rather than their words, so that you can truly know who you are dealing with.
How can you deal with a narcissistic personality?
Dealing with a narcissist requires a combination of emotional intelligence, boundaries, and self-protection. Narcissists thrive on control and manipulation, so it’s important to avoid engaging in their games. Instead, focus on maintaining your own sense of self-worth and setting clear boundaries. You must put your weaknesses aside, avoid confiding in him and show that you have good self-esteem, because they will treat you the way you treat yourself. Narcissists will often try to provoke a reaction, but by staying calm and refusing to engage, you can disarm their manipulative tactics. It’s also crucial to seek support from trusted friends, family, or professionals who can help you navigate the challenges of dealing with a narcissist.
Their manipulative power is formidable. They are so devious that they have what it takes to fool everyone along their path, including even specialists, doctors, and psychologists. Nevertheless, when you are in a toxic relationship with one, time is on their side, since they use it to create a psychological and emotional dependence, which is why you must react quickly.
>>> Find out whether a narcissist can love you
💡 FAQ: What are the 5 main habits of a narcissist? 💡
The five main habits of a narcissist often include:
- Seeking constant admiration: Narcissists have an insatiable need for attention and praise. They crave validation and often go to great lengths to receive it, whether through boasting, seeking compliments, or manipulating situations to be the center of attention.
- Lack of empathy: A hallmark of narcissism is an inability or unwillingness to understand or care about the feelings and needs of others. This lack of empathy allows them to exploit and manipulate people without guilt or remorse.
- Entitlement: Narcissists believe they deserve special treatment and often expect others to cater to their needs and desires. They may become angry or frustrated when they do not receive the treatment they think they are entitled to.
- Exploiting relationships: Narcissists use relationships for their gain, often manipulating and taking advantage of others to achieve their goals. They view relationships as a means to an end rather than genuine connections.
- Gaslighting and manipulation: To maintain control and dominance, narcissists frequently employ gaslighting and other manipulative tactics. They may distort reality, lie, or use guilt to keep others off balance and ensure their superiority.
These habits can create toxic and damaging dynamics in personal and professional relationships.
What words do narcissists use? - Recognize them through their communication
Recognizing a narcissistic personality also involves analyzing their language and vocabulary, which are very often punctuated with superlatives and typical phrases, such as the following:
- "Look at everything I do for you"
- "I love you like I’ve never loved anyone before".
- "I’m unlucky in my relationships"
- "I never did that, I never said that"
- "It’s your fault you get into these states, not mine"
Likewise, their communication patterns are unclear, therefore they like to keep an element of ambiguity in everything they say to you in order to deliberately confuse you. For example, they will purposely change the conversation and focus on things other than what you are saying to distract you, or they will spontaneously leave the conversation on the pretext of an emergency. Overall, communicating with a narcissist is impossible!
Editor’s opinion: Here every second countsThere are three important steps when it comes to identifying this type of toxic behavior, and they include;
1. Listening carefully to words: If the manipulator abounds with positive superlatives to seduce you and draw you in, you’ll need to have your wits about you. 2. Analyze what you feel in their presence. Doing this will soon reveal what state of mind you are in. 3. Study their behavior; do their supposedly positive actions betray them?
It is critical to react quickly when faced with a narcissistic, the more the days go by, the more their hold over you grows.
🤗 Understand yourself, accept yourself, be happy... Let’s do it here and now!
#BornToBeMe |
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I really like your posts they were so helpful I was married to someone for 23 years who turned out to be a narcissist or always was what I just didn't know what when was you explained it so vividly I know he used my children to try to hurt me and he didn't even care about them he didn't remember their birthdays he didn't know who their teachers were but as soon as I decided to leave he became so-called great father of the year to come to Disney World that their teachers tried to get them to hit me and say bad words to me and I'm daughter did and I don't think she ever got over it I know she feels terrible but years in years are going by where I've tried to reach out to her tell her that it wasn't her fault she was a little girl it's still heartbreaking from you right before we got divorced she went to psychiatrist he showed me what the psychiatrist wrote! I don't know why he did that but the psychiatrist said he was a severe narcissist no matter what happened it would never be his fault no matter how bad it was I'm so glad I'm not married to him anymore I tried to warn his next wife but she ignored it even while he threw me down the steps that's when I had to go to the women's shelter with my son
Eli 2 years ago