Narcissism is far more complex than mere vanity or selfish tendencies.
True narcissism is a diagnosable personality disorder known as narcissistic personality disorder. Essentially, narcissism is characterized by a lack of empathy or desire to genuinely understand others’ needs.
Someone with NPD is mostly concerned with themselves and their needs, usually unable to properly process or engage with the world around them.
Instead, a narcissist operates as though everything they embody — their needs, ideas, accomplishments, problems and more — are a higher priority than anyone else’s.
Narcissism is far more complex than mere vanity or selfish tendencies.
They expect unreasonable special treatment and will do whatever it takes to be the center of everyone’s universe — for better or for worse. This need to be the center of attention and lack of awareness for others’ emotions often leads to toxic behavior.
Here are some of the main signs of NPD to look out for:
Preoccupied with self
Someone with NPD can be consumed with disproportionate senses of self-concern, self-centeredness and self-consciousness.
Their strong feelings of entitlement may lead them to expect constant attention and admiration from others.
Lack of empathy
Narcissists often lack empathy as a result of dehumanizing others.
Someone with NPD might not attempt to understand the perspective or feelings of anyone besides themselves, resulting in a lack of compassion and remorse for any wrongdoings.
Obsession with appearances:
Narcissists can be fixated with beauty and other aspects of their appearance to others, such as wealth, fame, success and reputation. A narcissist commonly fantasizes about great success, power and beauty.
Pride:
Being obsessed with appearances can cultivate a prideful personality. A narcissist might come off as vain or immodest as a result of their pride.
Inability to accept criticism:
Because a narcissist has a sense of pride and a high view of themselves, they are often sensitive to negative feedback and criticism, even if it is constructive. A narcissist can become defensive or angry at even the slightest criticism, making it challenging to call them out for their problematic patterns of behavior.
Envy:
A person with NPD needs to constantly feel like the most successful and powerful person in the room. If they feel as though someone else is outshining them, they can quickly become jealous and may try to knock the other person down. Due to sibling rivalries, envy is one of the most common narcissistic sibling characteristics.
Mood swings:
Someone with NPD is often psychologically fragile and might struggle to regulate their emotions. This inability to properly balance their feelings can result in aggressive impulses, verbal assaults and manipulation.
Broken or strained relationships:
Narcissists tend to have difficulties within their relationships because loved ones may not tolerate put-downs, contempt and carelessness. Often, people reach a breaking point and have to cut ties with a narcissist.
Low self-esteem:
Despite the outward appearance, those with NPD may not love themselves as they want others to believe they do. Feelings of superiority are usually rooted in a deep sense of insecurity. They typically express poor self-esteem via self-deprecation or arrogance, working hard to overcompensate for their lack of confidence.
Need for approval:
A narcissist’s lack of self-esteem drives them to actively seek validation from others. Whether the narcissist’s inadequacies are real or imagined, they experience a significant need for approval from other people.
You may also like
