Spot a Narcissist: 9 Warning Signs to Look Out for and What to Do

Have you ever wondered if your partner, friend, or family member might be a narcissist? Maybe they’re always looking in the mirror and styling their hair? Luckily, chances are they aren’t a full-fledged egomaniac. Furthermore, it’s normal for people to have varying levels of self-centeredness throughout life.

When self-obsession takes over, it becomes a problem known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder NPD.

This lovely disorder inflates its person with an overdose of arrogance.

Don’t they sound like a joy to be around? Plus, they have no idea how obnoxious they are to other people. Nor do they care!

Why you should know how to spot a narcissist

It’s not the innocent selfie-obsessed people that you need to spot and avoid; it’s the manipulative toxic types. In fact, those with high levels of narcissism can become a nightmare for others.

Studies show that men with NPD are more likely to assault or attack people violently. They can fly into a rage at random.

That’s why it’s crucial to learn the warning signs so you can bounce long before they have a chance to harm you.

(So, be sure to share this article with those you love!)

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There’s nothing real about a narcissist

Narcissists portray themselves as if they have all the self-esteem in the world, but it’s just a show. Inside they’re hollow and alone.

They’ve abandoned themselves for this fictional superhero image they’ve created. When, in reality, they can’t stand themselves.

It’s pretty sad. But either way, don’t pity them. Or, even worse, think you can rescue them.

You can’t save them. If you try to “fix” them, you’ll get dragged down into their pit of despair before you even realize it. But then it’s too late, and they’ve trapped you like the prey you are to them.

Yeah, that doesn’t sound pleasant.

Also, it’s a great reason to learn how to spot these predators so you can avoid them. Furthermore, you can warn anyone who’s are on the verge of falling for a narcissist.

How psychologists diagnose a narcissist

Narcissism hinges on personality traits alone—most of them are objectively negative (it’s pretty easy to label someone with these tendencies as a jerk). But psychologists want to be extremely careful about pathologizing someone’s personality.

However, determining NPD can be difficult. Narcissists are often uninterested in treatment since they believe there is nothing wrong with them.

The nine most common traits of a narcissist

To be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, a person should have at least 5 of the following traits.

1. They have an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement.
2. They always need attention and admiration.
3. They’ll demand special treatment.
4. They have no problem exaggerating their achievements and talents. They stretch the facts or outright lie about their life and experiences.
5. A narcissist will explode into a rage of fury if they’re criticized or told they made a mistake. They crave control and take full credit when things go well, but they’re quick to blame others whenever a situation doesn’t go as planned. It’s extremely hard for them to accept criticism or admit to mistakes.
6. They obsess about power, success, and beauty.
7. They’ll take advantage of others.
8. They’re arrogant and rude to others.
9. They lack empathy for anyone else. Even though they’re ultra-sensitive to how people treat them, they can’t put themselves in other people’s shoes.

High and mighty people are everywhere and sometimes you can’t avoid them. For instance, they could be your boss, a neighbor, or a family member. In those cases, it’s better to learn better ways to deal with them.

What if you married a narcissist?

It’s unfortunate if you married a narcissist. They tend to be on their best behavior until they get someone to marry them. Then they let all hell break loose because they think you’re trapped with them.

But you don’t have to accept mistreatment. Furthermore, you don’t deserve to be their victim for the rest of your life.

Consider going separate ways if the relationship descends into chaos. Their pompous attitude can worsen to the point of violence.

Get away from that horrible situation especially if there are kids involved.

If you must deal with a narcissist, here are some tips:

• Protect yourself emotionally by building resilience. Also, don’t take everything they do or say personally. Their problems or behaviors are not about you. Try to detach if possible because these people are mean and disrespectful.
• Focus on your own happiness. Don’t let their narcissism ruin your life.
• There’s no reason you can’t reach out to a free, online therapist if you need it. Dealing with a narcissist will probably be horrendous, and you may need some support.

If you think someone close to you might be a narcissist, the best thing you can do is keep your distance and protect yourself emotionally.

It’s not going to be easy, but it’s important to remember that they’re expert manipulators and will only use you for their own gain. So, don’t let them take advantage of you, and always keep your best interests at heart.

Do you think you know someone who might be a narcissist? Share your story in the comments below. If this article was helpful, please share it with others!