Dealing with a narcissist can be toxic and emotionally draining. Often, those who are unfortunate to come across narcissists don’t understand that they may be dealing with narcissists as they often can be mistaken for loving themselves too much.
Family therapist Margalis Fjelstad defines a narcissist as “someone who has a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a clinically diagnosed personality disorder characterised by a grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward other people.”
There are many signs to determine narcissistic behaviour. The following are the 5 common signs shared by MindBodyGreen.
5 Signs of narcissistic behaviour
- Superiority and entitlement – If you aren’t sure whether or not you’re dealing with a narcissist, superiority is one of the main indications you might be. Narcissists have to be the best, the most right, and the most competent; have everything their way and control everyone.
Margalis adds that narcissists are even able to feel superior by being the worst, “the most wrong, or the most ill, upset, or injured. Then they feel entitled to receive soothing concern and recompense and even the right to hurt you or demand apologies to make things even.”
2. Exaggerated need for attention and validation – Narcissists constantly need attention and validation. They constantly look for validation and approval from others in order to boost their egos.
3. Great need for control – Narcissists demand to be in charge and in control in every kind of way, regardless of whether they can or can’t. Their lack of reasoning and sense of entitlement makes it seem logical to them that they should always be in control of everything.
4. Arrogance – Most of the time narcissists also possess signs of abuse and are very rude. They are not mindful of how they speak to others and how their words make others feel. In their heads they are heroes, princes and princesses.
5. Manipulative behaviour – In their quest for control, narcissists will try to keep people at a certain distance in order to maintain control. They may even exploit others to gain something for themselves. Often narcissists guilt trip those around them by reminding them of the things they have done for them.
