We live in a time where awareness Mental health is at historic highs, but popularizers continue to struggle to define the different conditions that exist.
A person with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) typically exhibits the following traits: weak and inconsistent empathy, grandeur, feeling of privilege and arrogance.
Psychologists Prominent figures have identified five common types of narcissists and explained how to recognize and deal with them, as outlined in a report from the Daily Mail.
The dominant
One of the most harmful types of narcissists is dominant romantic partner. These people may manipulate, lie, blame, exploit, and control their partner, often making false promises to maintain power in the relationship.
Sumeet Grovera registered psychotherapist with the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy, says: “They will not be willing to ask for help or trust that someone understands them better. »
The psychologist advises raising awareness about narcissistic behaviors so people can make informed decisions about their own safety. “It’s easy to be fooled by love, but a realistic vision gives you power. This way you can decide what you are willing to endure or whether staying means making big concessions,” he concludes.
The not so close friend
Another common type is the friend who makes you feel worse after every interaction. These individuals often dominate conversations, harm others, and prevent their friends from expressing their own views. The psychologist Dee Johnson He says this type of behavior is often calculated rather than reckless: “They target people who are vulnerable, less confident, grateful for friendship and easier to manipulate,” he says.
They use charm and flattery to hook someone, but demand constant validation in return. If you challenge them, you suffer their wrath. In addition, They are most often women.
Even though they seem fragile, Johnson says they still need recognition and can react with anger if their needs aren’t met. “A useful tactic is to acknowledge what they are saying – “Yes, I understand you” – without agreeing or acting on it.This takes away their sense of control.“, sentence.
The selfish father
According to experts, having a narcissistic parent is often one of the most painful relationships to experience. Parents are expected to provide unconditional love, but narcissistic parents can make affection conditional and transactional. Dee Johnson says this can be deeply damaging. “When you realize that your parents’ motivation is ‘me first’, we feel insecure and ignored,” explains the psychologist.
Children of narcissistic parents may develop low self-esteem, anxiety, and a tendency to please others, constantly seeking approval. Although cutting contact can be difficult, experts say it might be necessary if the relationship becomes abusive.
The brother who blames you for everything
Siblings argue, but a sibling who relentlessly blames you for your problems may display narcissistic traits. Dee Johnson says the hardest part is often grieving for the relationship we wish we had.
“People look at other families and realize they may never have that closeness. “This loss must be recognized.”said. The psychologist adds that feelings of anger, loneliness and confusion are normal and that support from a therapist or someone you trust can be vital.
“If you can live alongside a narcissistic sibling while protecting your well-being, you’ll be more likely to form healthy relationships elsewhere,” she says. Change is not possible, he added, whether the brother takes responsibility for his behavior.
The scary boss
The final type is the narcissistic boss, often charming at first, but entitled, arrogant and emotionally unstable. Sumeet Grover says the imbalance of power makes this situation particularly harmful.
“They can be encouraging one moment and furious the next. “It can be confusing and deeply demoralizing,” he says. The psychologist advises sticking to the facts in the face of unfair criticism and calmly repeating them if necessary.
“When praise is withheld, it often reflects envy more than performance,” he says. Deee Johnson adds that in some cases, the healthiest option is to leave. “Sometimes you have to say enough is enough and look for another job”he concludes.
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