Narcissism is a term often thrown around in casual conversations, but it’s important to understand what it truly means. Narcissistic personality disorder is more than just vanity or self-love; it encompasses a range of traits that can impact relationships and interactions. If you’ve ever wondered what to look out for, here are 20 traits of narcissistic people.
Sense of Self-Importance
Mayo Clinic describes narcissistic personality disorder as being an “inflated sense of importance,” with people often seeing themselves as far more important than they actually are. This inflated sense of self can make them dismissive of others’ feelings and contributions, as they are convinced that their own thoughts and opinions are superior.
Fantasies of Success and Power
Those with egotistical traits frequently daydream about unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. They are preoccupied with fantasies in which they are the central figure achieving greatness. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when reality doesn’t match their lofty dreams.
Belief That They Are Unique
Those with narcissistic personality disorders genuinely believe that they are unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people. This belief often leads them to surround themselves with individuals who reinforce their inflated self-image. They may dismiss or devalue anyone they consider ‘ordinary’ or beneath them, giving off an elitist attitude.
Need for Excessive Admiration
One of the hallmark traits of conceitedness is the constant need for admiration and validation. These individuals require excessive praise and recognition to maintain their fragile self-esteem. They might fish for compliments or create situations where they are the centre of attention. Without this external validation, they often feel empty and unappreciated.
Sense of Entitlement
Narcissists have an unreasonable expectation of favourable treatment and automatic compliance with their wishes. They believe they deserve special treatment and are often shocked or angry when they don’t receive it. This sense of entitlement can lead to manipulative behaviour as they try to get what they believe is rightfully theirs.
Exploitative Behaviour
A self-centred person will often take advantage of others to achieve their own ends. They have little regard for the feelings or needs of others and see relationships primarily as opportunities to further their own goals. This exploitative behaviour can be subtle or overt, but it always benefits the narcissist at the expense of others.
Lack of Empathy
Perhaps one of the most challenging traits to deal with is the narcissistic person’s lack of empathy. They struggle to recognise or identify with the feelings and needs of others. This can make them seem cold, detached, or unfeeling. Their inability to empathise often leads to misunderstandings and hurt feelings in their relationships.
Envy of Others
People with a big ego are often envious of others, particularly those who have what they want, and they might belittle or demean others to feel better about themselves. Conversely, they also believe that others are envious of them. This constant comparison can create a toxic environment where no one is truly valued.
Haughty Behaviours
Arrogance is a common habit among narcissists, too. People with this trait display haughty behaviours and attitudes, looking down on others they perceive as inferior. This arrogance can manifest in various ways, such as talking down to people, dismissing others’ opinions, or behaving in a condescending manner.
Difficulty Handling Criticism
These arrogant individuals struggle with handling criticism, no matter how constructive, because their fragile self-esteem means that any form of critique is seen as a personal attack. They might react with anger, denial, or even retaliation against the person offering feedback.
Inability to Maintain Healthy Relationships
Due to their manipulative and self-centred nature, narcissists often find it challenging to maintain healthy, long-term relationships. Their lack of empathy, the constant need for admiration, and exploitative behaviours can strain even the most patient partners. Relationships with conceited people like this are often turbulent and filled with conflict.
Superficial Charm
Especially when you first meet them, individuals with traits of narcissism can be incredibly charming and charismatic, and this charm is often superficial and used as a tool to draw people in. Once they have secured your admiration or compliance, their true nature starts to show. The charm is a facade to mask their deeper insecurities and manipulative tendencies.
Overemphasis on Appearance
Many ego-led people place a high value on physical appearance, both their own and others. They may spend an excessive amount of time and money on their looks, believing that looking good is crucial to their identity and self-worth. This focus on appearance can lead to superficial relationships.
Manipulative Behaviour
As skilled manipulators, they use deceit, flattery, and charm to get what they want. Their manipulation can be subtle, making it difficult to pinpoint or confront. They might play on people’s emotions, guilt-trip others, or twist the truth to serve their purposes. This manipulative nature makes interactions with them particularly challenging.
Difficulty Showing Genuine Emotion
Despite their outward charm, narcissists have a hard time expressing genuine emotions. Their emotional responses often seem rehearsed or insincere, or they might mimic emotions they think are appropriate but lack the depth and authenticity of true feelings. This can make their relationships feel shallow.
Blaming Others for Their Problems
People who love themselves rarely take responsibility for their mistakes or shortcomings. Instead, they blame others for their problems and failures. This externalisation of blame helps protect their fragile self-esteem but damages their relationships. They might accuse others of being the cause of their issues, creating a constant cycle of conflict.
Obsession with Status
A significant trait of narcissists is their obsession with status and success, where they measure their worth by their achievements and the admiration they receive from others. This obsession drives them to seek positions of power and authority, often at the expense of genuine relationships and personal well-being.
Unrealistic Expectations of Others
Often having unrealistic expectations of those around them, people with narcissistic tendencies expect others to meet their high standards and fulfil their needs without question. When these expectations aren’t met, they can become angry, disappointed, or dismissive. This makes it difficult for people to live up to their demands.
Tendency to Dominate Conversations
It’s also no surprise self-centred individuals love to be the centre of attention and will often dominate conversations, steering discussions towards themselves and their achievements while interrupting or talking over others. This need to be the focal point can make conversations with them feel one-sided and exhausting.
Lack of Authenticity
Finally, narcissists often struggle with authenticity because their behaviour is driven by a need for validation and admiration, leading them to present a false version of themselves. They might adopt personas they believe will be more appealing or successful, but this lack of authenticity prevents them from forming genuine, meaningful connections with others.
