Some people are difficult to get along with. It’s simply their nature to be ornery or pessimistic or rude. There’s a difference between a person who’s not all that pleasant to be around and an actual narcissist. You might have a spouse or family member or close friend, boss, etc., who exhibits such behavior. If so, you might also relate to those who say that dealing with a narcissist in their daily lives made them feel like they themselves were going insane. Learning to take care of yourself and protect your mental health in spite of a narcissist’s attempts to control you is difficult, but possible.
You might have a narcissist in your life and not realize it. This post shares four behaviors that are red flags. If you know someone who consistently acts in these ways, you are no doubt dealing with a narcissist. Once you’re able to recognize signs of narcissism, you can begin to implement strategies that protect your mental health and well being. This is especially true if you cannot distance yourself from the person in question.
Narcissist behaviors include often include these issues
A narcissist is someone whose perception of reality and perspective in life is totally self-centered. Everything narcissists think, say or do is in direction relation to how the situation in question affects them. Such people typically lack empathy or compassion because they are not thinking about others at all. They think of themselves, in which case, they think of others in direct relation to themselves. A person with narcissistic tendencies exerts a lot of time and effort into finding ways to increase their sense of power and control over others. The following list includes behaviors a narcissist will often exhibit when trying to assert control:
- Triangulation is a term that refers to a narcissist’s attempt to pit one person against another. It is intended to cause division.
- A narcissist often feigns ignorance in order to avoid accountability or to avoid dealing with someone or something. Such people do not like taking responsibility for their own actions.
- One of the most common tactics narcissists use on a regular basis is the silent treatment.
- Blaming others for their own faults or toxic behavior is another thing narcissists often do.
Being on the receiving end of this type of behavior can make a person question his or her own sanity. Sadly, this is exactly what a narcissist wants. As long as no one questions them or calls them out or stops enabling their behavior, they are happy. In a worst case scenario, a narcissist can actually convince the victim of his or her toxic behavior that the roles are reversed, meaning that the narcissist is the victim and the victim is the narcissist.
Whether the narcissist in your life is your spouse, parent, child, colleague, boss or friend, it is critical to learn how to respond, how to stop enabling them and how to protect your own mental health and well being.
