11 Signs to Look for to Identify the Narcissist Around You

There's a good chance you've heard the term "narcissist" before. The expression "such a narcissist" is frequently used to describe someone who is excessively vain and believes they are on a pedestal. However, it is crucial to comprehend what narcissism entails psychologically, which cannot be done solely using catchphrases.

The blog will attempt to provide a basic definition of narcissism and what it means to be a narcissist, even though narcissism is hard to define and much study is still underway. Additionally, it shall proceed by discussing a few characteristics of narcissists. 

This blog's goal is to paint a general picture of what narcissism looks like; it does not offer any expert counsel.

Defining narcissism

The personality illness known as a narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD, is characterized by excessive self-indulgence and self-absorption as well as an inability to take criticism, frequently at the expense of others. One can mistake narcissism for self-love. After all, our society currently encourages self-love to the point where it is acceptable to cross the line into injuring others. These two concepts have different meanings in psychology. In the sense that someone with NPD is concerned with their "grand" images, primarily to mask their profound fears, narcissism is a "disease" in this sense.

So who is a ‘textbook narcissist’?

Dr. Romani, a professional psychologist discusses narcissism and those who have experienced narcissistic abuse. 

Having "a long-standing history of not having empathy, being arrogant, being entitled, and superficial," is how she characterizes a narcissistic person. A narcissistic individual cannot tolerate disappointment and constantly seeks approval. Furthermore, they frequently have bursts of rage and anger whenever they are dissatisfied. A narcissist frequently exhibits a domineering demeanor.

 Because there is no one aspect to narcissism, describing one is difficult. It's not accurate to say that a narcissist only talks highly of themselves. A susceptible image is the opposite side of a narcissistic individual.

A narcissist differs from someone who has NPD. To be deemed to have a narcissistic personality disorder, the latter necessitates a qualified diagnosis. The term "narcissist," on the other hand, is now used broadly to describe anyone who acts selfishly; they need not have NPD, and the world of social media and pop culture further adds to the confusion. Refrain from calling someone who has NPD a sufferer.

11 signs of a narcissist:

A narcissist can be highly appealing and is not always easy to recognize. Many people who are in narcissistic relationships are prone to missing the warning signs of abuse. Numerous factors are prevalent in studies on narcissism, which is still a topic of research. To identify a narcissist, one should look for these characteristics.

1 superiority complex

A narcissist believes they are the best.

 The first sign of a narcissist is that they believe that they are "too good to be true" for the rest of the world, and it is because of this belief that they believe they deserve special treatment. A narcissistic individual has an exaggerated sense of entitlement, which is noticeable. A narcissist can be identified by having an inflated sense of oneself.

2 The constant urge for validation

The next sign of a narcissist is their urge to get validation. This is one of the characteristics that all narcissistic behaviors share in common. A narcissist will always want to be recognized. This constant need to be admired serves to feed and bolster their ego. All people have a basic desire to be loved. A narcissist, meanwhile, wouldn't think twice about exaggerating their accomplishments in their boasting.

3 Lack of empathy

The next sign of a narcissist is that they don't have the capacity or the desire to show empathy for others since they believe their needs come first. This indicates that they prioritize their own needs and desires over those of others, giving little thought to their sentiments. They frequently find it difficult to comprehend the demands of other people during this process, therefore they just think about themselves.

4 Arrogant mannerisms

A narcissist may act vindictively or arrogantly due to their heightened feeling of entitlement and lack of empathy for others. This is especially true if they feel that they do not receive the respect or treatment that they are due.

5 Controlling habit 

The next sign of a narcissist is that they need to be in charge. This is a noticeable characteristic of narcissism. A narcissist would typically try to impress you at first by being charming and seductive. Later on, though, they become more concerned with and prioritize their own needs. To maintain control in a relationship, they may even act in a manipulative manner toward others. When it comes to their needs, narcissists are incredibly manipulative and do not bat an eye.

6 Lack of accountability

The next sign of narcissists is that they never take the blame on themselves. 

Narcissists will go out of their way to maintain their dominance or take charge of everything, but when it comes to accepting responsibility, they act much less aggressively. Narcissists do not differentiate between responsibility and blame. Because of this, they are unable to accept responsibility for the harm they cause to others and instead try to complicate matters by offering justifications or outright lying. In other words, they do not know how to apologize, and if they do, it will only be for the sake of their name.

7 There envious nature

The next sign of a narcissist is that they are deeply insecure about themselves, and as a result, their projection of jealousy is a result of their anxieties.

8 Inadequate listening skills

The next sign of a narcissist is their lack of listening skills. Self-involvement to the point where a narcissist refuses to pay attention to anything that seems "unpleasant" to them is a hallmark of narcissism. This means that when speaking with a narcissist, you could feel neglected or irrelevant.

9 Traces of toxic relationships in past

The next sign of a narcissist is that they are unable to have typical and healthy relationships, claims numerous psychologists. They frequently cheat and have a history of bad relationships. Narcissists believe they are too good for everyone, and they get power from betraying people and making them feel hurt. They may be quite poisonous to their partners in relationships and will often act as the victim while presenting unrealistic expectations that cannot be met.

10 There is no such thing as guilt

The next sign to look in a narcissist is that a narcissist seldom ever feels regret or shame. They take advantage of others to satisfy their demands, which always come first, and they don't feel bad about it. Expect little empathy or guilt from an NPD victim when interacting with them. The self-centered narcissist would not believe they were fallible.

11 Gaslighting others 

And the last sign to look in a narcissist is that they gaslight others. Gaslighting is a type of strategy used by narcissists to exert control and authority over those around them.

To conclude

It is inappropriate to stigmatize narcissists because they are not monsters. Take professional advice if you recognize any narcissistic traits in yourself. Being "too much into oneself" is not narcissism, and it is also not the same as loving oneself.