The term “narcissist” or “narcissism” is frequently used to describe difficult individuals. If you’ve heard the term “narcissist” used more than once, you might be curious as to what it means and how you might change your nature to avoid being labelled as having narcissistic tendencies. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss what exactly narcissism is, how to know if you are a narcissist, how to stop being a narcissist, and much more about this condition.
What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
A narcissistic personality disorder is considered a mental health condition in which an affected person comes across as arrogant and selfish. They want and seek too much attention, and they always want people to praise them. Individuals with this disorder might not be able to care for or understand the feelings of others. This type of personality disorder can affect many areas of someone’s life, such as work, relationships, financial matters or school. They get angry or disappointed when they don’t get the admiration or favours they want. They may find their relationships unfulfilling and troubled.
How Can You Know If a Person is a Narcissistic?
People with a narcissistic personality disorder may have different symptoms and severity can also vary. People with this disorder can:
Have a senseless need for frequent praise and an unjustifiably high sense of self-importance.
They believe they deserve special treatment and benefits.
Expect to be respected even without any accomplishments.
Make accomplishments and skills appear greater than they are.
Be concerned with illusions about wealth, dominance, genius, beauty, or the ideal partner.
Believe they are better than others and can only interact with or understand those who are equally special.
Criticise and despise those they consider to be unimportant.
Expect favours and unquestioning compliance from others.
Expect special favours using others to achieve one’s goals.
Unable or unwilling to understand the wants and emotions of others.
What is the Cause of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Generally, the reasons behind narcissistic personality disorder are complex. The causes of this type of disorder might be related with:
Environment: parent-child relationships with either too much criticism or too much admiration that doesn’t match the child’s actual achievements and experiences.
Neurobiology: the connection between the brain and thinking and behaviour.
Genetics: inherited features, such as certain personality characteristics.
How to Stop Being a Narcissist?
In simple words, it can be said that narcissism can’t be cured instantly. There is no magic pill that can cure it, but a few steps can be followed to get back on the right track.
Control Your Reactions
One of the most unavoidable aspects in people with a narcissistic personality disorder is that they reach instantly without thinking of the impact of their actions or words. If you can control your reactions to differences of opinion, you can think more logically.
Don’t Ignore Other People’s Feelings
Narcissistic individuals can’t understand the feelings of other people. It is difficult to teach someone how to understand someone’s feelings. Thus, you can learn it on your own by listening to others and understanding the meaning behind emotions.
Stop Blaming
People with this personality disorder think that they never make mistake and they are perfect, so they never accept blames, at least in a non-manipulative, honest way. They blame the person who is pointing the finger, for their bad behaviour. So, stop blaming.
Stop Being Self-Absorbed
It is not just about the narcissist, but anyone who is self-absorbed. If your every decision is focused on only your benefit, you might fall into the category of a narcissist. Instead, you can celebrate other people’s milestones or victories, even if you had nothing to do with it.
How to Live With a Narcissist Partner?
It might be a difficult situation when you have to live with a narcissistic partner. However, the following are a few ways you can live with a narcissistic partner:
Don’t take narcissists’ behaviour personally. There is nothing wrong with you. Remember that their behaviour is because of their emotional and mental health issues.
If you are in a relationship with a person who is narcissistic, then it is important to set boundaries because you can’t change their behaviour instantly.
You must have a conversation with your partner when he/she is in a good mood to talk about how his/her behaviour affects you.
Don’t give a narcissistic person power to ruin your day with an act of selfishness. You can’t control their behaviour, but you can control your reactions and choose to be positive.
How to Leave a Narcissist?
If you are in a relationship with an NPD person and want to end up this relationship, then you can follow the below steps:
You may want to be transparent when ending a relationship, but you need to keep your spouse in dark when you are planning to leave a narcissist.
You need to be prepared before you leave your narcissistic partner. It might include where you will go and where you will live after separation.
When it is the right time to leave, you need to let your partner know that you are leaving but avoid unnecessary conversation.
After leaving, it is suggested to avoid unnecessary contact with your ex.
When you’ve left a person with NPD, or you are in a relationship with one, then it would be better to seek help from a therapist. Many people who have been in a relationship with a narcissist find that their self-confidence is low.
How to Confuse a Narcissist?
The following are a few methods through which you can confuse a narcissist:
One of the best methods to confuse an NPD person is by not reacting emotionally and acting like you don’t care about what they are saying or doing.
As you may know that narcissists love attention. You can get their attention away from themselves which could confuse them. You can do this by refusing to make eye contact with them when they are speaking.
Try to say nothing and listen to others instead of a person with NPD.
You need to stay calm and as a result, you will not give them what they want. It will make them frustrated and drive them crazy.
How does a Narcissist React When They Can’t Control You?
When narcissists can’t control you, they will do the following things:
They will do everything to control you, even if it means becoming physically abusive and violent.
They will do anything and everything to protect their reputation, so they will lie to get people to believe that the people they targeted are jealous of their lifestyle and success.
They will use your past against you to ruin your relationship with your loved ones.
Conclusion
Narcissists are less likely to admit that they have a narcissistic personality disorder. If you know someone with NPD, you can suggest that they should seek help from a professional because this disorder can ruin relationships. Moreover, you can get such information from our blogs by subscribing to Personal Care N Heal.
