Is your partner a narcissist? Here are the behaviors that should worry you

Commonly, narcissism is associated with great self-confidence and a belief in one’s own uniqueness. However, we must not forget that under this mask there is usually fear and low self-esteem. How to recognize a narcissist? Here are nine traits and behaviors that are characteristic of this personality type.

How to recognize a narcissist? 9 behaviors and traits

Narcissistic people are often perceived by the environment as superior and feeling better than others. However, surprisingly to many, they are actually very insecure and fearful at heart. How can we recognize a narcissist? Some time ago, marriage counselor Darlene Lancer listed nine characteristics and behaviors that can help us do this. Here they are:

1. Lack of empathy for the feelings and needs of others;
2. the need for excessive admiration;
3. exaggerated self-esteem;
4. recognition for prestige;
5. dreams of unlimited power, great success;
6. entitlement;
7. using other people to achieve your goals;
8. arrogance;
9. belief that others envy us everything.

Narcissism – history of the concept

It is worth mentioning that the concept of narcissism was defined already in the 19th century. Its author was Havelock Eliis, who referred to as “narcissistic” situations when a person becomes the greatest sex object for himself. As we learn from the article devoted to this issue, which appeared on the “Psychology in practice” portal: Narcissism characterizes a person who is self-absorbed, vain, with an excessive sense of their own importance, uniqueness and superiority, which is accompanied by a sense of exceptional rights, entitlement and arrogance. However, according to the American psychotherapist Stephen Johnson, a narcissist is a person who, as a result of difficult experiences (usually during childhood), has hidden his “true self” and replaced it with a “false self”.