Telltale Signs of Narcissism and the Dangers They Present

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Narcissists are generally described as egomaniacs who think only of themselves and no one else. While being egocentric is not desirable, a self-absorbed individual may not necessarily be a narcissist.

If you know someone who possesses this grandiose image of themselves, they may have Narcissist Personality Disorder (NPD); a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of self-involved arrogant thinking and behavior. Narcissistic behavior is a spectrum, and only those at the highest spectrum level have NPD. If you are involved with a narcissist, you may need information on narcissistic abuse to comprehend what you are going through.

Narcissists tend to be cocky, manipulative, patronizing, and domineering. These traits show up in every aspect of their lives and negatively affect people around them. They devalue their victims and leave them feeling worthless and needing treatment in some cases.

Signs a Person is a Narcissist

Here are signs of narcissism to look out for in an individual:

Lack of Empathy

One of the key traits of narcissism is an inability to show any form of empathy. This means that the narcissist does not care about the feelings or well-being of others. Narcissists have no problem with demeaning, devaluing, and disrespecting the boundaries of someone with whom they have a relationship.

Sense of Entitlement

Narcissists think they are superior to others and deserve to be treated specially. They believe they are above the rules and others always have to yield to their demands. Even when it’s clear they are wrong, narcissists will insist on their way and demand apologies or recompense to appease their entitlement mentality.

They are Manipulative

Narcissists have an unusual ability to turn an issue on its head to fit their narrative. They can make you feel like they are trying to please you while getting you to give in to their demands. If you are a victim of narcissist manipulation, you may not figure it out until a few years later, when you are out of the relationship.

Great Desire for Attention or Validation

Narcissists want constant attention and do almost anything to be in the spotlight. They speak and act in ways that keep the focus on them. They could do this in subtle ways like always asking for favors, following you about, or monitoring activities. Even if you decide to provide the validation they crave, it is never enough as they always want more till they wear you out. This desire for attention usually comes from a deep insecurity that narcissists feel.

Perfectionism

Narcissist perfectionism also derives from deep-rooted insecurity. Narcissists want everything to be perfect and demand the same from their partners. They desire events to go as planned and show their dissatisfaction whenever things go otherwise. This quest for perfection also breeds a need to control people, things, and events. They always have a pre-planned role for everyone and everything. No one can meet a narcissist’s demand for perfection indefinitely. As a result, narcissists are touchy and miserable most of the time.

Gaslighting

A narcissist will seize every opportunity to make their partner feel like they are overreacting to issues instead of trying to see things from their (the partner’s) point of view. Gaslighting techniques that a narcissist may employ include contradicting, stonewalling, and deflection. A narcissist will deny that things ever happened, refuse to face present issues, and try to dig up old issues as a way of skewing disagreements in their favor.

Lack of Responsibility

Narcissists find it difficult to admit wrongdoing in a relationship. The narcissist wants to be in control but will never take responsibility for the undesirable consequences of their actions. They feel criticized when things do not go according to plan and try to blame their partner or everyone else.

Dangers of Narcissism

If you are in a relationship with a narcissist, you are at risk of narcissistic abuse, a condition with effects that can be severe if you stay in the relationship for a long time. Narcissistic abuse effects include:

Loss of Sense of Self-worth

Narcissistic abuse can make you stop feeling like your true self after a while. Victims tend to blame themselves for the actions of their abusers and often start to second-guess every decision they have to take. They may feel like they are not good enough for anything and give up on their dreams and goals.

Cognitive Issues

Narcissistic abuse victims may struggle with tasks at home or work because of abuse-related trauma. Short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating are some of the issues that can arise from narcissistic abuse.

Physical Pain

Some narcissistic abuse victims experience headaches, stomachaches, and general body discomfort due to trauma. Insomnia and nightmares that replay abuse scenes can also contribute to the pain victims experience.

Emotional Instability

Victims of narcissistic abuse can become prone to sudden mood changes, emotional stress, anxiety, and other uncontrollable feelings. In severe cases, the person may experience depersonalization, a state where they feel separate from their thoughts or feelings.

How to Cope with a Narcissist

If you are in a narcissistic relationship, it’s best to plan your exit immediately. Narcissists are typically charming, and ending things with them may not be easy. A narcissist will violate your boundaries if you permit it. Speak to them gently about your boundaries and intention to enforce them. They will probably object and try to charm you out of it.

A narcissist will probably not change without help, and you have to plan for a future without them. Educate yourself about narcissism and cultivate new relationships with people who value and respect you. Find purpose in your work or hobbies.

Going forward, you should bond with people who show you how a healthy relationship should be. Seek professional help if it becomes too overwhelming.

Final Words

Being a victim of narcissism is traumatic and can leave a person distrustful and judgmental of people who try to show them empathy. It is necessary to cut off all contact with the narcissist and give yourself time to heal. Build a support system of family, friends, and counselors. No matter what you are feeling, understand that it’s for the best as you look forward to a future of healthy and meaningful relationships.

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Aqib Ijaz is a content writing guru at Contenterist. He is adept in IT as well. He loves to write on different topics. In his free time, he likes to travel and explore different parts of the world

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