9 Tips For Recognizing A Narcissist

Charming, seductive and incredibly confident. This is how narcissistic people show themselves at first glance, but little by little their intentions are revealed. They want others to feel less worthwhile. Therefore, it is important to learn to recognize a narcissist.

Narcissistic personality disorder,  also known as megalomania, is a pathological condition characterized by  excessive self-esteem and lack of empathy. Narcissists believe that they are better than others in all areas.

We can easily encounter narcissistic people in everyday life. Therefore, it is important that we learn to recognize them so that they can be avoided. A relationship with a narcissist may not be so bad in the beginning.

In fact, it can be a rewarding experience. Later, however, they will show their true intentions. These people just want to  make other people feel less worthwhile and take advantage of them.

According to the  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V),  from the American Psychiatric Association, there are nine signs that can help us recognize a narcissist. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Narcissists feel grandiose

When we say grandiose, we mean a  feeling of being better than others. Narcissists believe that all their accomplishments and abilities are better than everyone else’s, which makes people around them feel inferior. Narcissists often talk about and act as if they are the most important people on the planet.

2. Focus on success and power

Narcissistic people are always trying to figure out how to achieve success and power. They dream and fantasize about it. Therefore, they are never satisfied with less than success, power, beauty and the admiration of others.

3. They think they are unique

This is an important factor when it comes to recognizing a narcissist. They have this strong  belief that they are unique and irreplaceable. It only leads them to relationships with people who admire them and remind them how special they are.

The reason for this is that narcissists do not believe there are many people who can understand them or with whom they have things in common.

4. “Special treatment”

Narcissists like it when others treat them in a special way. They demand privileges as they believe they deserve to be treated in the best possible way. They think they are special, so others should treat them that way too. If you want to recognize a narcissist, remember that these people hate when others contradict or criticize them.

Demands for excessive admiration

Narcissists are pretentious. Therefore, they constantly demand that others admire them. They always expect others to have high thoughts about them, causing them to be offended when it does not happen. All they want is for others to look up to them and place them on a pedestal from which they can be worshiped at all times, whether they deserve it or not.

6. Envy

Narcissists are often extremely jealous of others who are better than them at certain things. It may be an overt or covert envy, but  they never confess it.

On the other hand, people with narcissistic personality disorder always think that others envy them for their abilities or accomplishments.

7. Lack of empathy

It is not terribly difficult to recognize a narcissist when it comes to this point. Narcissists cannot feel empathy for others. They simply cannot relate to other people’s feelings and needs. They do not really care about others or feel guilty. One can therefore safely say that they can not love other people.

Exploitation of others for personal gain

Narcissists  often exploit other people to achieve their own personal goals. They manipulate them using various resources, ideas and contacts.

If you want to be able to recognize a narcissist, do not forget to notice their controlling nature. This is because they like to manipulate others. They can invent anything to get what they want, no matter what the consequences may be.

9. Arrogant and dominant

All narcissists are  arrogant and dominant towards people around them. They do not think they can make mistakes, so they think everyone around them should agree with everything they say.

All their words and thoughts must be accepted without hesitation. Therefore, it is quite normal for narcissists to force their ideas down over the heads of others.

Why is it important to learn to recognize a narcissist?

These nine qualities can certainly help you recognize a narcissist fairly quickly. You should avoid getting any kind of relationship with them as it will often end in psychological abuse.

Another reason why it is so important to be able to recognize them is that  you need to be careful not to fall into their traps. At first glance, they may seem very charming as they are good at attracting people. Remember, it makes them feel powerful when they can exploit others. You must not fall for that trap!