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Traits of a narcissist

To help you figure out if you, or someone you know is a narcissist, I have searched the Internet and found many common signs of narcissistic behaviour.
You're more likely to find a narcissist in the C-suite than on the street. That's because the traits that make narcissists so difficult to hang out with or date which include a constant need for validation, a willingness to control people, and a ruthlessness in getting their needs met.
Some narcissists are bullies, and one of their most troublesome traits is their tendency to be a sore loser and a sore winner. For example, when they lose in a sports match, they might try to humiliate the referee. When they win, they might gloat excessively or act abusive to the losing party.
The “grandiose” narcissists always hold a grievance against the world. They typically feel entitled to something better and think they're not getting the recognition they deserve from others. If not grandiose, then maybe introverted, hypersensitive, defensive, and anxious.
There's also the hyper-aggressive, super-loud Donald Trump type. Or the softer form of narcissism is covert narcissism, which is denoted by introversion, hypersensitivity, defensiveness, and anxiety. Both shades of narcissism share a common core of conceit, arrogance, and the tendency to give in to one's own needs and disregard others.
Many narcissists are know-it-alls, and have a hard time getting along with coworkers and friends because they refuse to believe they could possibly be wrong about anything. These types of narcissists walk around with a marked sense of superiority to others and have a “my way or the highway” approach to decision-making.
Narcissists often believe their views are inherently superior to other people's perspectives. But what they truly value is the attention they receive for holding those views. They find other peoples acknowledgment of their everyday life situations are of utmost importance.
“Vindictive” narcissists generally know vengeful or antisocial behavior isn't acceptable. But they feel okay about acting that way because they constantly feel they've been wronged and often take offense where it's not intended.
Narcissists enjoy telling others what to do to fulfill their need for constant positive reinforcement.
A narcissist hates having to feel emotions. The very fact of having a feeling in the presence of another person suggests you can be touched emotionally by friends, family, partners, and even the occasional tragedy or failure. To admit to a feeling of any kind suggests they can be affected by someone or something outside of them. As a result, narcissists tend to change the topic of conversation when feelings come up, especially their own.
Instead of listening, they just wait to speak. Narcissists typically prefer to keep the conversation centered on themselves, making exaggerated hand movements, talking loudly, and showing disinterest by ‘glazing over' when others speak.
Narcissistic people intentionally put down others in order to maintain a high positive image of themselves. Seeking admiration is like a drug for narcissists. It becomes difficult for them because others won't applaud them, so they always have to search for new acquaintances from whom they get the next fix. This also explains why narcissists typically maintain only weak relationships.
According to Sigmund Freud, a combination of parental rejection and excessive admiration is more strongly linked to adult narcissism. A parent's attitude towards their children will eventually cause for a “deep craving for admiration” and lead the narcissistic to lead a life searching for fleeting ego boosts.
A narcissist always has to be in control and can't stand to be at the mercy of other people's preferences. A reminder that they aren't invulnerable or completely independent, that they might have to ask for what they want, and even worse, people may not feel like meeting the request. This is why they can be controlling without getting angry. In the case of romantic relationships, narcissists control people with disapproving glances, calls to change plans, and chronic lateness. This allows narcissists to undermine other people's ability to make choices. By doing that, narcissists maintain their sense of total independence and freedom which they so desperately need.

By Michelle Janzen

Post date: 2016-01-08 18:20:21
Post date GMT: 2016-01-08 23:20:21
Post modified date: 2016-01-15 16:50:21
Post modified date GMT: 2016-01-15 21:50:21