Do you know someone who is always talking about themselves and their accomplishments? Do they seem to lack empathy for others? If so, they may be a narcissist. Narcissism is a personality disorder that is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 10 traits of narcissists. If you think that you or someone you know may be a narcissist, it is important to get help!
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Understanding Narcissistic
Narcissistic is a personality disorder that manifests itself as an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. People with this disorder often require excessive praise and attention and can become easily offended when they don’t receive it.
Moreover, it is important to understand that not all people who display some of these qualities are narcissists. For example, many successful and well-liked people have high self-esteem without being narcissistic. The key is to look for a combination of several narcissistic traits to make a diagnosis.
Usually, there are three different types of narcissists:
- Overt narcissists are those who openly display their narcissistic qualities. They are often boastful and arrogant and need constant validation from others.
- Covert narcissists, on the other hand, are more subtle in their approach. They may be shy or sensitive and seem to take offense easily. They may also withdraw from social situations and have difficulty making and keeping friends.
- Malignant narcissists are the most dangerous type of narcissist. They combine qualities of both overt and covert narcissists and are often charming and charismatic. They can be manipulative and coercive and use their power to control others.
So overall, it is important to be aware of the different types of narcissism and the various narcissistic traits. If you suspect that someone you know is a narcissist, it is important to get help from a mental health professional.
Top 10 Narcissistic Traits
There are many different types of narcissists, and not all of them are easy to spot. However, there are some common traits that most narcissists share. If you’re wondering whether or not someone you know is a narcissist, here are the top ten narcissistic traits to look out for:
A grandiose sense of self-importance
It is very common for narcissists to think they are better than everyone else and to feel entitled to special treatment. They may boast about their accomplishments and try to make others feel inferior. This sense of self-importance is a defense mechanism to protect themselves from feelings of insecurity and shame. For example, if someone calls them out on their bad behavior, they will likely react with anger or contempt.
Need for excessive admiration
Narcissists usually have a big ego and require constant validation from others. They may fish for compliments and become easily offended if they feel they’re not being appreciated. They may also brag about their accomplishments and exaggerate their talents. It is believed that this need for admiration is a result of low self-esteem. For example, if a narcissist feels they are not being given enough attention, they may become angry or withdraw from the situation.
Lack of empathy
It is believed that narcissists lack empathy because they are so self-absorbed. They cannot understand or share the feelings of others. This can make them appear insensitive and uncaring. Moreover, it is difficult for them to understand how other people think and feel. Empathy is an important aspect of human interaction, and the inability to empathize with others can make relationships difficult. For example lack of empathy is often paired with a sense of entitlement.
Intolerance for criticism or disagreement
It is very obvious when you are talking to a narcissist because they can not handle being wrong or disagreed with. They will become defensive and try to make you feel small or stupid if you challenge them in any way. This is because they need to be right all the time to feel good about themselves. Also, the sense of perfection makes them feel threatened when they are not in complete control. Eventually, they are likely to become angry and lash out at you if you continue to challenge them. It is best to just avoid getting into any arguments with them if possible.
An exaggerated need for attention
Some people love the limelight and then some need it. If you find that someone is constantly seeking validation and positive reinforcement from others, this could be a sign that they have narcissistic tendencies. A narcissist will often try to monopolize conversations, brag about their accomplishments, or put others down to feel superior. They often feel threatened by anyone they perceive as being a threat to their ego.
Need for control
This seems like a need for control, but it’s a need to feel in control. Narcissists need to be in charge all the time because they’re convinced that if they’re not, everything will fall apart. They’re also terrified of being controlled by someone else. If you find yourself always having to do things their way or being micromanaged, it’s a red flag. For example, if a person is always needing to know where you are, what you’re doing, and who you’re with, that’s a need for control!
Lack of responsibility
It is not uncommon for a narcissist to blame others for their own mistakes or shortcomings. They may even go as far as to blame you for their bad behavior. If they are never at fault, and always someone else’s problem, it’s likely you’re dealing with a narcissist. In fact, in a simple Google search, “narcissist” and “blames others” pops up over 16 million times. These people are irresponsible even in simple things like being on time or returning a phone call. You may feel like you’re always the one picking up the slack and doing things for them, but they will never return the favor. It’s a one-way street with narcissists.
Perceiving things as threats
For narcissists, anything and everything can be perceived as a threat—even something as innocuous as a friendly text from a friend or colleague. This is because narcissists are constantly on the lookout for any opportunity to feel slighted or attacked, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to others. Though they may not always show it, narcissists are incredibly insecure and fragile people, which is why they’re so quick to anger and react to any perceived threat.
Emotional reasoning
It is common for narcissists to use emotional reasoning to support their point of view. This is when they try to make you feel guilty or ashamed to get what they want. For example, a narcissist might say something like, “You’re so selfish! You never think about anyone but yourself!” In reality, the narcissist is the one who is being selfish, but they will try to make you feel guilty so that you will do what they want. This is considered their emotional manipulation tactic.
Fear of rejection
There is a reason narcissists are so afraid of being rejected and it’s because they’ve been rejected their entire lives. They were never given the love and attention they needed as children, so they’re constantly seeking it from others. They want to be the center of attention and will do anything to get it, even if it means manipulating or hurting others. And for this, they try to surround themselves with people who will give them what they want.
Narcissists are also very afraid of failure. They need to be the best at everything they do and are always trying to one-up others. If they don’t feel like they’re the best, they’ll try to make others feel inferior. This is because they need to feel superior to others to feel good about themselves.
So, if you’re wondering how to spot a narcissist, just look for someone who is always trying to be the center of attention and is always needing validation from others. And if you’re ever unfortunate enough to be in a relationship with one, just know that it’s not going to be easy. These are some narcissistic traits that you should be aware of.
How Can You Manage Narcissistic Traits?
When you are dealing with someone who has narcissistic traits, there are a few things you can do to manage the situation. Some of these include:
Avoid taking things personally
This is probably the most important thing you can do. When you take things personally, it puts you in an emotional reaction which is exactly what the narcissist wants. They want to control your emotions so that they can feel better about themselves. For example, you can say to yourself “This is not about me, this person is just trying to get a reaction out of me”.
Don’t engage in arguments
Narcissists love to argue and debate. They are never wrong and will never admit it even if they are. It’s best to just walk away from these situations. Because if you engage, you’re just feeding their ego. So you can try to avoid these confrontations by just agreeing with them. For example, if a narcissist says “This restaurant is terrible!” You can simply say “I agree, let’s leave.” This will diffuse the situation and you can go on with your day.
Set boundaries
Narcissistic traits are often masked by an ability to be charming and charismatic. If you feel like someone in your life is crossing your boundaries or taking advantage of you, pay attention. A narcissist will often try to control the people around them by manipulation or intimidation. Hence, you have to be firm in setting boundaries with them. You should never forget that you have a right to your own opinions, feelings, and needs.
Stand up for yourself
It can be difficult to stand up to a narcissist, but it’s important to assert yourself and set clear boundaries. If you don’t, they will continue to take advantage of you. Remember, a narcissist is only interested in themselves and their own needs. They will not hesitate to use or abuse you if it suits their purposes. You should never feel guilty about standing up for yourself and setting boundaries.
Seek professional help
Professional help is the best way to deal with a narcissist. He or she will be able to help you understand the situation and offer guidance on how to best deal with it. Many different types of therapy can be effective in dealing with narcissism, but not all therapists are created equal. Make sure you find a therapist with who you feel comfortable and who you feel has the experience to help you.
There are many different ways to deal with a narcissist, but not all of them will be right for you. You need to find what works best for you and your situation. Remember, you are not alone in this and there is help available. Seek professional help if you can and take care of yourself.
Conclusion
Conclusively, narcissistic traits are not always easy to spot. There are many different types of narcissism and many different narcissistic traits. However, by being aware of the most common narcissistic traits, you can hopefully avoid getting involved with a narcissist. If you are already in a relationship with a narcissist, then you should be aware of their narcissistic traits so that you can better deal with them.
Moreover, it is important to remember that not all narcissists are bad people. Some narcissists can be kind, caring, and loving. You just have to recognize the severity of their narcissism and be willing to work with them on it. For more help and understanding, you can contact Therapy Mantra.
It is a platform that provides mental health services from the comfort of your home. It is affordable, convenient, and confidential. You can book an appointment with a therapist in just a few clicks. So, do not wait any longer and get started on your journey to healing today! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you. You can also book an online therapy session or download our free Android or iOS app.
