All the signs that you are dating a narcissist
Unfortunately, I have far too much experience when it comes to dating a narcissist. Not that the ex in question would ever admit that about himself, but it cannot be denied that this fickle, easily irritated, and manipulative man has at least some traits of a narcissistic personality disorder. I realized this far too late, and as a result, I felt miserable in our relationship for a year. The good news: it will never happen to you again. Still, prevention is better than cure in this case, so pay close attention to the following signs if you are afraid that you have hooked a narcissist.
The first meeting
Narcissists are charismatic at first, exude confidence, and score well with the opposite sex. They have had many sexual partners, easily start new relationships, and show little emotional connection. They are insensitive to intimacy and avoid deep conversations, which often keeps relationships with them superficial.
He/she feels better than anyone else
The suspicion is that narcissists have few mirror neurons (which perceive the behavior of others), explaining their lack of empathy. They lack a sense of responsibility and show little appreciation for others. Convinced of their own superiority, they compensate for a lack of self-confidence with arrogance. Their focus is on image goals rather than compassion goals, causing them to see their partner more as a status object than as a loved one. They prefer to avoid emotional situations, dropping out when someone experiences something emotional. Their empathy is underdeveloped, and they use others for their own plans without considering the needs of other parties.
Gaslighting, power, and control
Narcissists are out for their own benefit and demand privileges due to their supposed special qualities (which they often only see themselves), while making others believe in their good intentions through gaslighting. This is something they are very good at. They often blame others and see themselves as victims, treating love as a game and maintaining emotional distance to remain independent. They have a strong need for attention, admiration, and recognition, but show less interest in sympathy or connection. Their desire for power and control often makes them jealous, and strangely enough, they are afraid of being abandoned, while they in turn see their partner more as an appendage than as an equal partner.
Lying and anger
Narcissists often exhibit deceptive behavior, twist the truth, and regularly break promises. They can lie compulsively and even convince themselves of the untruths they express. Additionally, they often isolate their partner from friends and family, pit people against each other, and constantly control their partner to test their love. Criticism from the partner or lack of recognition often leads to extreme anger, where they display hostile behavior, such as completely ignoring someone. Their narcissistic injury often leads to conflicts with others, as they want everything to go according to their vision and display anger at contradiction or criticism. They lack remorse and self-reflection; when they pretend to be sorry, it is often a manipulative move to influence others, not because they genuinely feel bad about the situation.
Source: Psychology Magazine
