How to Recognize and Respond to a Narcissist (6 Tips)


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1. Grandiosity.

 One of the key giveaways is that narcissists are all about grandiosity. Narcissists feel entitled and that they are above others. They believe that they are so unique and different from most people that only those similar to them can understand them. They may demonstrate their believed superiority openly or covertly and are often condescending towards others.

If someone from your entourage puts themselves on a pedestal, constantly brags about their achievements, and likes to belittle others, you are likely dealing with a narcissist. They may disguise this behaviour as benevolence and appear as a knowledgeable mentor at first, but their lack of empathy will give them away.

 As a rule, narcissists cannot put themselves in other people’s shoes. They’re stuck seeing the world through their own eyes, and while every person perceives their environment in their own way, most people can imagine what it would feel like to be in the same position as someone else. Narcissists have difficulty doing this though, and noticing somebody cannot really empathize with others may be a sign that they are on the narcissistic spectrum.

 Furthermore, their arrogance often leads to the exploitation of other people as a means of reaching their personal goals. They may go as far as being demeaning to those around them. We all know narcissists to have inflated self-esteem and self-appraisal. However, an important note to keep in mind is that nowadays we distinguish between two types of narcissism – one whose key characteristic is grandiosity and another type, where the person feels vulnerable and sensitive but skillfully hides this behind high self-esteem.

 The vulnerable narcissist fears rejection and criticism, which prevents them from creating strong relationships with others. What is more, narcissistic individuals may actually have inflated or deflated feelings of self-worth and self-appraisal, or waver between both. They cannot stand being challenged by others and are bound to retaliate if they judge something as a threat to their status.

Narcissists are consumed by fantasies of power and achievement, but if they are vulnerable, they are likely to feel ashamed of these mental images.

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