In an ideal relationship, there is an equal exchange of give and take. Unfortunately, if you are dating a narcissist this equilibrium is completely thrown off balance, leaving you feeling hurt and drained.
When you’re in this situation, it can be difficult to think objectively and take the necessary action. This is why so many people stay in unhealthy relationships for so long. Luckily, this list of signs will help you gauge whether your partner is displaying narcissistic behavior and even help you figure out what to do next.
What Exactly is a Narcissist?
A narcissist is someone who has very little awareness of others – they place themselves at the center of their universe and expect others to do the same.
They are generally egotistical and have an excessive need for attention and praise. A narcissist gives little to no thought about how their actions affect others and they struggle to maintain long-lasting relationships because of their inability to empathize with their partner.
Narcissistic behavior goes beyond self-confidence or boldness though.
Signs You Might Be Dating a Narcissist
1. They are constantly competing with you
Have you ever observed that when you share details about a challenging day with your partner, they respond with stories of their own day being even more difficult? Similarly, when you’re not feeling well, they tend to mention their own ailment? If so, you might be dating a narcissist.
Narcissists are unable to put aside their own needs and simply listen, empathize, or sympathize to make someone else feel better. They constantly draw attention back to themselves and will not allow their partner any time in the limelight.
2. They love fishing for compliments
Narcissistic individuals feed on others’ admiration, and in the absence of regular accolades from you, they tend to redirect discussions to subjects that cast them in a positive light. For instance, they may bring up a situation where a coworker lauded them at work, anticipating that you’ll follow suit and lavish them with further acclaim.
Sometimes this behavior is not so subtle, and a narcissist might openly discuss their great achievements or wonderful personality traits in the hopes that you will chime in with admiration.
3. They are never at fault
Have you noticed that when your partner is relaying a story to you about something that happened to them, they are always the victim in every scenario? They will tell you about how rude the staff were at a restaurant – but won’t mention what a difficult customer they were being.
This is typical narcissistic behavior. Narcissists have a complete inability to see things from an objective point of view and understand how their actions are perceived by others.
4. They have no close long-term friendships
If you’ve noticed that your partner is charming and attentive but has no friends, there’s a chance that they have cut everyone out of their lives because of their narcissism. Narcissists cannot understand that there are ups and downs to every relationship, and would rather choose to end the friendship at the first sign of conflict than fight for it.
This behavior is a sign of how your own romantic relationship will progress. A person who has not learned to handle difficulty arising in a friendship will definitely not have the tools to do so in a relationship.
5. They play the victim in every argument
Have you ever gotten mad at your partner for something they did wrong, but by the end of the argument, found yourself apologizing to them? Seems ridiculous, but this is a clear sign of narcissistic behavior.
A narcissist will always find a way to shift blame in an argument. If they cheated, it’s because you didn’t give them enough attention. If they have disrespected you, it’s because you made them feel inadequate. You will never win an argument with a narcissist and you shouldn’t expect an apology to come easily.
6. They look down on others
A narcissistic partner loves to gossip and discuss other people’s flaws and failures because it makes them look even better in comparison. If you find yourself in a relationship where all your partner talks about is people, they could be a narcissist.
Their aim is to always put themselves in a better light, and belittling those around them allows them to do this. A healthy relationship needs to involve conversations on a wide range of topics. A partner who only discusses other people’s lives and actions on a regular basis will take the relationship nowhere.
7. They are insecure
Despite how much praise a narcissist gives themself, they are intrinsically insecure. This is where narcissistic behavior stems from. They are continually looking for admiration so that their fears and anxiety around their shortcomings are calmed.
This may be a more difficult personality trait to pick up since a narcissist will always display charming, confident behavior. Once you truly start peeling away the layers of their personality though, the insecurity will become glaringly apparent.
8. They suck at communicating
It is difficult for narcissists to have intelligent, well-thought-out conversations (or even debates) without things escalating. They believe that every point you raise is an attack against them, so they automatically go into defense mode.
This will make things really difficult for you because you will constantly feel like you are walking on eggshells in the relationship. You will never be able to communicate anything that makes you even slightly uncomfortable without the fear of it turning into a battle.
How to Escape a Relationship with a Narcissist
Being in a relationship with a narcissist only gets more difficult as time passes, but as soon as you try to leave, they’ll use a combination of gaslighting, victim-blaming and manipulation to make you stay. A relationship with a narcissist can become emotionally abusive very quickly.
To escape the situation make sure you do the following:
- Tell someone you trust about the intricacies of the relationship: This will help keep you accountable if you back out of leaving at the last moment.
- Become aware of your self-worth: Even if it means writing it all down, it’s important for you to remember your value and what you deserve.
- Build a support structure: Make sure you have friends or family that will be there for you after you leave so you don’t find yourself going back to the relationship.
- Seek professional help: The after-effects of the relationship will be more damaging than you realize. Make sure that you heal so that you are better prepared for your next relationship.
Getting Help From a Psychic
While the signs I’ve listed are very telling of whether your partner might be a narcissist, you might need that final push from the universe to feel confident that you are making the right decision in leaving.
Psychics are able to read the energies and auras that surround you and help you discern whether your partner’s behavior really is narcissistic and how necessary it is for you to leave.
Keen comes highly recommended if you want to consult with an experienced relationship psychic. Not only is there a wide selection of experts to choose from but there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee available if you’re unhappy with your reading.
New customers can claim their first 5 minutes for $1.
Bottom Line
Leaving a relationship with a narcissist can be really difficult because of how their behavior influences you. If the signs I’ve listed fit your partner, you’re only facing more emotional turmoil and trauma as the relationship progresses.
A psychic can be really throughout this process – no matter what your decision is. They can help you find the strength to leave your current relationship or even to improve it if you decide to stay.
