Narcissists are often tricky to spot because they have a tendency to put on a mask and pull the wool over people’s eyes. Narcissists can be charming, charismatic, and persuasive — but what hides behind that mask? If you’re wondering if your significant other might be narcissistic, here are 10 potential signs:
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1. They are always the center of attention
Narcissists love to be the center of attention. They will often talk about themselves incessantly and make sure that every conversation revolves around them.
If you’re dating a narcissist, you’ll quickly find that your conversations are one-sided and that they never really take any interest in what you have to say.
“I’m so talented,” “I’m the best at this,” “No one understands me as you do.” If your partner is constantly putting themselves up on a pedestal, there’s a good chance they may be narcissistic.
Narcissists need to feel superior and exceptional in order to maintain their inflated ego, and they will go out of their way to get that feeling.
2. They lack empathy.
Narcissists often have low EQs (emotional intelligence quotients). For this reason, interpersonal relationships can be complex because one person will always feel neglected by another who does not know how to empathize with them.
Narcissists know how to pretend to care, but they are unable to actually feel or understand the emotions of others.
If someone does not empathize with you when times get tough, then something is wrong — this person cannot relate on an emotional level and will probably use your weaknesses against you. It takes two people who can acknowledge each other’s pain to bond through a difficult time.
3. They have a hunger for validation.
They will constantly try to get validation in any way possible, even going after fame or fortune just because it makes them look good in front of everyone else.
Narcissistic individuals want attention no matter what they have to do to get it, even if it means stepping over you in order for them to shine brighter than ever before.
4. They have an inflated sense of self-importance.
This could manifest itself in a number of ways, such as constantly talking about how great they are, bragging about their accomplishments, or looking down on others.
Narcissists often believe that they are above the rules and that the standard rules of society don’t apply to them.
Narcissists also have a strong sense of entitlement; they feel like they deserve special treatment and expect others to cater to their every need. They may become angry or agitated if someone doesn’t comply with their wishes.
5. They take advantage of people.
Narcissists are often very skilled at manipulating others. They may use emotional manipulation to get their way, or they could be more overt in using threats, bullying, or intimidation to control the people around them.
The narcissist’s sense of entitlement leads them to expect that other people will cater to their needs and desires without having any concern for how it affects those around them.
6. They show little to no respect.
Narcissistic individuals have little respect for the boundaries and feelings of others; they tend to ignore social conventions regarding taking turns when talking or respecting someone else’s personal space.
Narcissists rarely ask permission before taking what they want from others because they see themselves as being entitled to an advantage over everyone else regardless of whether this is earned on merit alone. This mindset can lead to a lot of hurt feelings and damaged relationships.
7. They can’t take criticism or rejection well.
Narcissists have a very fragile ego, and they can’t handle it when someone disagrees with them or rejects them. They may react to criticism by becoming defensive, attacking the person who made a comment, or trying to discredit them.
Rejection is brutal for narcissists to deal with; they often take it as a personal attack on their character or self-worth. This can lead to an inability to maintain healthy relationships.
8. They like to use guilt-trips
They often use guilt trips, which is when someone tries to make another person feel guilty in order to get something from that person or as a way of controlling that person. Narcissists may try to make their partners feel guilty about actions that they have taken or things that they haven’t done.
Using guilt trips as a way of manipulating someone else is unfair and can really hurt other people, especially those who are emotionally sensitive.
The narcissist’s unrealistic sense of entitlement leads them to believe that it’s okay for them to use others however they see fit without having to concern themselves with how it might affect the other person.
9. They like putting you down in public (or private)
Narcissistic individuals often enjoy making fun of or mocking others; this behavior becomes even more severe if one individual has power over another, such as at work or within an intimate relationship where there is an imbalance of power.
Making someone feel bad about themselves in public is a way for the narcissist to boost their own ego by putting the other person down. This type of behavior can be very damaging to relationships and can leave people feeling isolated and alone.
The narcissists’ grandiose sense of self-importance leads him or them to believe that they are above making mistakes or being ridiculed, so they often put others down as a way of maintaining their superior status.
10. They make unreasonable demands without considering how much work is involved.
Narcissists often make unreasonable demands of the people around them without taking into consideration how much work is involved or how it might affect others.
For example, they may ask their partners to do all the household chores while they sit back and relax, or they may expect their coworkers to stay late and complete extra tasks without considering that those individuals may also have families and other commitments.
Making excessive demands without any regard for the burden it places on others is one way that narcissists demonstrate their sense of entitlement. This type of behavior can be very frustrating and overwhelming for those who are close to the narcissist.
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The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that narcissists are generally self-motivated, callous individuals who do not care about the feelings of others.
They have a grandiose sense of self-importance, and they expect special treatment from everyone around them without having to reciprocate anything in return.
Narcissistic people can be very frustrating because their behavior often leads to emotional abuse or manipulation; it’s essential for those involved with someone like this to recognize how damaging that type of relationship really is.
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This post was previously published on Hello, Love.
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