It’s good to be confident, but what about those who have crossed this line and become selfish? Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that is usually manifested through self-importance and an inflated ego. If you are dating someone who has this condition, keep in mind that NPD is not black and white it is on a spectrum, which makes it difficult to identify.
We will discuss nine symptoms that may indicate your partner has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. What are the symptoms, other than a bloated ego? Do they gaslight you, or do you feel unseen? We will talk about all of them and much more.
1: They Talk a Lot About Their Greatness
To a narcissistic person, the world revolves around them. It’s always about their greatness and kindness. If your partner has an unrealistic sense of superiority as if they are always right then you are probably dealing with a narcissist. They live and breathe through their ego. Every time you point out a mistake, a volcano will erupt. Narcissists are very sensitive to criticism; even the slightest hint of disapproval will make them sad and angry. Another way to determine if your partner has an inflated ego is to ask whether they think they are special. If so, you’ve got your answer.
2: Everything Is Your Fault
Of course, a narcissist can never go wrong. You can move mountains, stop the Earth from spinning, and forget about the sunrise, but a narcissist will never admit their fault. If they apologize, it will be superficial. That being said, it doesn’t mean they will exaggerate or tell white lies, but they will never admit that their ideology can cause trouble because they believe they are better than everyone else. You will be the one to blame. Did you miss that flight because your partner left for the airport late? It was your fault you didn’t send them a reminder. If this sounds like your partner, it may be time for you to leave.
3: They Were Charming at First
Narcissists are manipulative. They know how to dominate a relationship and then use it to control their partner. A relationship with a narcissist always starts like a fairy tale. They make you dance with love so much that you would believe it to be true. Here’s the thing: narcissists use a technique called love bombing. They spoil you with attention, love, and affection. They will send you regular texts and tell you how much you mean to them.
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You will be swept away by pleasant surprises. A narcissist will tell you how smart you are and how compatible the two of you are. And just when you relax, they’ll take that love back. They will encourage you to doubt yourself. You will find yourself constantly disturbed by what you have done, which makes them silent.
If you do anything that your narcissistic partner dislikes, you will be given the classic “silent treatment.” Their love will be like a reward you receive it only when you treat them in the way they like. In short, if someone comes on very strong at the beginning of your relationship, be very careful of them.
4: You Just Have to Be More Discriminating with the Help You Render Toward Other People
This dumpster is on fire! A narcissistic person has a very inflated ego, and do you know what happens to their ego? It defines them. Living with a narcissistic person can be a nightmare for you. You will feel emotionally drained around them and their emotions. Narcissism is rooted in deep insecurity. Their self-confidence is a facade for many internal problems.
That’s why a narcissistic partner constantly wants to hear compliments. When you stop giving them, the real problem begins. Truly confident people do not rely entirely on their partners to build trust. A narcissistic person doesn’t need others to feel good about themselves.
5: Do You Feel Unseen?
When you are with your partner, does it feel like your emotions don’t matter to them? Narcissists lack empathy. They only care about themselves. They cannot realize how the other person is feeling. This is one of the main characteristics of a narcissist. If you ever feel bored when your partner expresses their feelings, you are probably dealing with a narcissist. They don’t want to hear about your bad day at work or your fight with your boss. The narcissistic person doesn’t care about feelings unless they are their own.
6: They Don’t Have Many Friends
Take a look at your partner’s social circle. Do they have long-term friends? Are they in touch with their siblings? People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder cannot maintain long-term friendships. Their lack of empathy usually costs them relationships over time. Most of their relationships and friendships end because they don’t value other people’s feelings.
If you’re dating someone you feel is narcissistic, dig deeper into their relationships. Unlike others, they will not have standard friendships or deep connections. Only a few people stick around. That’s why, when you want to hang out with your friends, they go crazy. They will try to make you feel guilty for spending too little time with them and will even criticize you for not being a good friend. If you are given a freeway, a narcissist will separate you from everyone so they can control you even better.
7: You Have to Constantly Defend Yourself
Does it seem like everything you do is a nuisance to your partner? Like they criticize you for your work, friends, family, and style of dressing? At first, it may feel like harmless teasing, but over time, the criticism spreads more. You have to defend yourself permanently. It’s like walking on eggshells around them.
Narcissists choose you to feel better about themselves by lowering your self-esteem. They feel more powerful when they make you feel small. That is why living with them can be detrimental to your mental health. They will try to take your confidence away with their annoying one-liners, unusual jokes, and harsh criticism. If your partner behaves this way, it’s time to let go.
8: They Gaslight You
If there is one special feature of narcissism, it is gaslighting. A narcissist will gaslight you to make you doubt yourself. Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse and manipulation. A narcissist will distort your reality by accusing you of lying, twisting the truth, and doing wrong. Here is a short list of questions you can ask yourself:
- Do you feel like you are no longer the same person?
- Do you feel anxious all the time?
- Do you doubt yourself?
- Do you apologize often?
- Do you find it difficult to share your feelings with your partner?
If it’s more “yes” than “no,” chances are your partner is a narcissist, and you’re being gaslighted.
9: They Never Apologize
Well, this one is easy to find out. Remember, they can’t do anything wrong, so you will never hear a genuine apology from them. Even if they do apologize, it will be half-hearted. For example, if you are angry with them for saying something hurtful, the narcissistic person will never say, “I’m sorry I hurt you.” Their apology will be more like, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Did you see that? They only accused you of misunderstanding them.
If you recognize these signs in your partner, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship. Narcissistic behavior can be emotionally draining and harmful to your mental health. Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect and empathy.
