How to Identify Narcissistic Personality Traits in Your Partner

September 23, 2024
habibakamel

How to Identify Narcissistic Personality Traits in Your Partner: Healthy Relationship Guidebook

Narcissistic personality disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by an excessive need to feel self-importance, admiration, and inability to regard the feeling of others. It’s not rare to have to deal with people who possess narcissistic traits, but it’s highly relevant that you learn how to identify them in your partner since it does mean the difference between building or continuing to be in a healthy, fulfilling relationship.

We look at common signs that denote the presence of narcissistic traits in a partner and how to approach them in this article.

Common Signs of Narcissistic Traits in Your Partner

Constant Need for Attention: A narcissistic partner may constantly need you to give them attention and affirmation and could get angry or sulky when it is not forthcoming.
Inflated Sense of Self-importance: They may boast of achievements, possessions, or skills or exaggerate them.
Lack of Empathy: Most narcissists have trouble stepping into other people’s shoes. They really don’t care about your feelings or needs.
Emotional Manipulation: Guilt, anger, and self-pity are feelings they may use to get you to give in and do what they want.
Lack of Respect for Limits: A narcissistic partner may also ignore your personal boundaries by neither respecting your needs nor your desires.
Unrelenting Criticism: They do criticize you too much and can also find fault in everything.
Resistance to Feedback: Narcissists are generally resistant to constructive criticism or feedback.
Envy and Resentment: They may be envious of or resentful about what you enjoyed in your life, including your relationships and possessions.

How to Recognize Narcissistic Traits in Your Partner

Listen to How They Speak: Pay attention to how your partner refers to himself or herself, and others. The preponderance of the word ‘I’, or dominating a given conversation?
Observe How They Behave: Watch out for emotional manipulations-probably through guilt trips or bouts of anger.
Reflect on Your Feelings: Give yourself some time to think about how you feel with your partner. Are you constantly drained, anxious, or belittled?
Set Boundaries: Make your boundaries clear and communicate them to your partner assertively.

How to Handle Narcissistic Traits in Your Partner

Communicate Openly: Have a discussion with them about their behaviors and how it makes you feel.
Set Precise Expectations: Explain to them that you would like to receive in terms of respect from them.
Professional Help: Go for couples therapy or individual therapy if the problem persists.
Prioritize Self-Care: Give more attention to your inner world and do things that make you feel complete and happy.

Conclusion

One can find narcissistic traits in their partner by possessing patience, self-awareness, and avidness for getting the problem sorted out. Identifying these signs of narcissism and being able to proactively act upon those traits is the only way to keep the relationship healthy and alive.

Relationships do bring compromise and growing pains, but that does not mean one should sacrifice their own emotional needs. If you are at a loss for what to do or how to act in this scenario, consider seeking a mental health professional for advice.