What Does Narcissistic Behaviour Look Like?

What is Narcissism?

…because it’s not just what you think!

You may have an idea in your mind of a self-obsessed, yet outwardly charming, extrovert? Or the mythological Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection?

Narcissism means feeling important, needing admiration and attention, wanting success and love. Which in small doses, is a perfectly normal part of being human.

Feeling or acting a little (or sometimes a lot) narcissistic, even unpleasantly so, may not be what is classed as a disorder.

NPD (Narcisstic Personality Disorder) is when these behaviours are extreme and constant. This is a medical diagnostic term that requires the narcissist to seek a diagnosis.

But in reality IT DOESN’T MATTER what the diagnosis (and most Narcissists are never diagnosed), Narcissistic behaviour is abuse and can have a devastating impact on the adults and children that experience it.

The Narcissist in your life could be male or female, they could be a parent, partner, sibling, child, friend, teacher, colleague, boss….anyone you have a relationship with!

The 4 main pillars of Narcissism:

However the list of Narcissistic traits is almost never-ending, and at times contradictory, increasing confusion for those on the receiving end. The list includes:

Of course no Narcissist shows all these traits, and people with these traits are not always Narcissists. But you may be able to identify several of these traits in someone you know that makes your life difficult?

We can all read this and identify our own behaviours at times. However, an important differentiator is that if you are worried you might be a Narcissist… you most likely aren’t! As a Narcissists lack of empathy and own grandiosity would never lead them to question themselves.