In the late 1800s, psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud introduced the concept of narcissism. He defined it as a sense of grandiosity and entitlement in relation to one’s self and others. This definition has since been expanded to include a sense of superiority, self-absorption and having an inflated ego.
Narcissism is a personality trait that can have both positive and negative effects on society. Studies have shown that narcissists often have more power than people with lower levels of narcissism because they are more likely to be seen as higher-quality leaders. They also tend to make more money than those who are less narcissistic.
However, some people with high levels of narcissism may cause trouble in their relationships or work because they feel entitled to things without giving the same consideration to others.
Can a narcissist change?
However, narcissists have a number of personality traits that are often the opposite of healthy. They typically have an inflated sense of their own importance and put themselves first in all situations.
While narcissists cannot be changed, they may be able to change their behaviour if they understand the reasons behind their condition. If you recognise any signs of narcissism in someone close to you, it is important to talk to them about what they are going through and how they can improve; consciously or subconsciously.
However, the first step towards controlling narcissistic behaviour is diagnosing and recognising it!
What defines a narcissist:
People that suffer from narcissism are often charming, confident and charismatic, but their behaviour tends to alienate those around them. It is difficult for a narcissist to recognise their own faults because they are so wrapped up in themselves that they view everything as good or bad depending on how it affects them.
This type of people has a tendency to lavish praise on themselves and to belittle the achievements of others. They are self-absorbed, particularly in the area of romantic relationships where they may be excessively jealous or envious of other people and what they do for their partners. They may compare themselves a lot to others and pinpoint that they deserve the same if not more good things done for them.
– They can be difficult to spot:
Narcissists can be hard to spot because they are often skilled at hiding their true feelings. They make sure that people think highly of them and believe in their abilities but don’t want others to know the truth about them. They will also take advantage of opportunities by playing off how superior they feel and trying to seem friendly, helpful or humble.
If all of this information make you think of somebody that you know or if you think you may be a narcissist yourself, then check out the list below to make sure. Then you can start working on the next step or what to do about it once you figure it out.
Signs of being a narcissist:
Narcissistic traits are typically displayed through selfishness and entitlement, lack of empathy, self-aggrandisement and superiority complex, lack of willingness to consider others’ perspectives, and unrealistic expectations for others. This type of selfish individual is extremely difficult to deal with as they fly into a rage if they don’t get what they want or if someone else gets the attention that they believe is due to them.
They can also become emotionally abusive when people do not fall in love with them as easily as expected. They tend to be self-absorbed, manipulative, vindictive, competitive, exploitative and insensitive towards other people’s feelings. They also tend to be very pessimistic about what others can do and also very optimistic about their own abilities and achievements which makes them overly confident.
they are vain and high-maintenance individuals who put their needs above the needs of others. This can be seen in their inability to empathise with others and their sense of entitlement. This is a shared trait with sociopaths.
– Other signs of narcissists:
-Low empathy or concern for others; lack of consideration for other people’s feelings of distress or pain.
-Highly sensitive to criticism or rejection; have difficulty tolerating disagreement or “not getting their way”.
-Are highly critical and hypersensitive about being wrong or made fun of for any reason.
-Uninterested in other peoples’ hobbies or passions.
-Incapable of taking interest in their loved ones’ topics of interest as they see them as silly, futile and empty.
– They tend to be preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or ideal love.
– The two types of narcissists:
Narcissistic personalities can be divided into two types: the negative type which is characterised by arrogance, exploitation, and entitlement; and the positive type which is characterised by egocentrism, having high confidence in themselves, and an exaggerated need for admiration from others.
The first type as you would expect is more negative and toxic as they tend to just be putting others down and spreading negativity around them. The second-cited type is the one that was referred to earlier when mentioning that narcissists can be in higher professional positions or paid higher because their belief in their abilities pushes them to do more and work harder towards their dreams.
For this reason, some may argue that narcissism can be understood as both positive and negative depending on the situation and how it is perceived by those around them.
How to deal with a narcissist?
There’s no easy answer when it comes to dealing with a narcissist. On the one hand, you want to set boundaries and protect yourself from their manipulative behavior. On the other hand, you don’t want to feed into their need for attention and validation.
It’s a delicate balance, and there’s no single right way to handle it. In general, it’s important to be assertive and clear about what you will and won’t tolerate.
At the same time, try to avoid reacting in a way that plays into their need for drama or control. It’s not always easy, but it’s often the best way to deal with a narcissist in the long run.
Bottom line:
Narcissists and sociopaths are often considered to be one and the same, but there are actually some key differences between these two personality types.
Narcissists are ego-centric and obsessed with their own image, while sociopaths tend to be more manipulative and deceptive. Both narcissists and sociopaths can be charming and persuasive, but sociopaths are more likely to use their powers of persuasion for criminal or anti-social purposes. Narcissists may also be quick to anger and prone to fits of jealousy, while sociopaths tend to be cooler and more calculating.
Ultimately, both narcissists and sociopaths can be dangerous individuals, but it’s important to understand the distinct ways in which they operate. Narcissists may also have a superiority complex, which can lead them to act the same as an entitled, arrogant person who no one can say no to.
An example of a narcissistic personality would be someone who is constantly bragging about how smart or rich they are and how many degrees or how much money they have. The best way to deal with narcissism is by recognizing that it is a problem and attacking the root of it.