9 Signs to Help You Recognize a Narcissist

Charming, seductive and incredibly confident. This is how narcissistic people show themselves at first, but little by little their intentions are revealed. They want to make others feel inferior. Thus, it's important that you learn to identify them.

Narcissistic personality disorder, also known as megalomania, is a pathological condition characterized by an exaggerated self-esteem and lack of empathy. Narcissists believe themselves to be better than those around them in every aspect.

In our everyday life, we may run into narcissistic people. Thus, it’s important that we learn to recognize them in order to avoid them. Starting a relationship with a narcissist may not be a big deal at first. In fact, it may be a rewarding experience. However, they’ll later reveal their true intentions. These people just want to  make others feel inferior and take advantage of them.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) of the American Psychiatric Association, there are 9 signs that may help people recognize a narcissist. Let’s see what they are.

   1. Narcissists feel grandiose

When we talk about grandiosity, we refer to feeling superior to others. Narcissists believe that all their achievements and abilities are better than everyone else’s, which makes those around them feel inferior. Narcissists often talk and act as if they were the most important person on the planet.

   2. Care about success and power

Narcissistic people are always trying to figure out how to achieve success and power. They dream and fantasize about them. Thus, they don’t settle for anything less than being successful, powerful, exuberantly beautiful, and admired by everyone.

   3. They think they’re unique

This is an important factor when it comes to recognizing a narcissist. They have this strong belief that they’re unique and irreplaceable. This leads them to only establish relationships with people who admire them and remind them how special they are. The reason for this is that narcissists don’t believe there are many people who can understand them or have things in common with.

   4. “Special treatment”

Narcissists like others to treat them in a special way. They demand privileges since they consider that they deserve to be treated in the best way possible. They believe they’re special, so others have to treat them as such. If you want to recognize a narcissist, keep in mind that these people hate it when others contradict or criticize them.

   5. Demand excessive admiration

Narcissists are pretentious. Therefore, they demand others to admire them at all times and places. They’re always expecting others to think highly of them, which leads them to get upset when that doesn’t happen. All they want is for others to look up to them and have them in a pedestal where they can be admired forever, no matter if they deserve it or not.

   6. Envy others

Narcissists often are excessively envious of those who are better than them in certain aspects. This may be an obvious or hidden envy, but they’ll never own up to it.

On the other hand, people with narcissistic personality disorder always think others envy them for their personal abilities and achievements.

   7. Lack of empathy

It’s not too difficult to recognize a narcissist when it comes to this point. Narcissists are unable to be empathetic towards others. They simply can’t relate to other people’s feelings and needs. Also, they don’t really care about others nor feel remorse nor guilt. Thus, it’s safe to say that they’re unable to love others.

   8. Exploit others for their own benefit

Narcissists often take advantage of other people to achieve their personal goals. In order to do this, they manipulate those around them using different resources, ideas, and contacts.

If you want to recognize a narcissist, don’t forget to pay attention to their controlling nature. This is because they like to manipulate others. They’re capable of doing anything to get what they want, no matter the consequences.

   9. They’re arrogant and dominant

All narcissists are arrogant and dominant with the people around them. They don’t think they’re capable of making mistakes so they believe that those around them have to agree with everything they say.

All of their expressions and thoughts have to be accepted without hesitation. Thus, it’s pretty common for narcissists to impose their ideas over other people’s.

Why is it important to learn how to recognize a narcissist?

These 9 signs can definitely help you recognize a narcissist pretty easily. You should avoid establishing any kind of relationship with them because, more often than not, it’ll result in psychological abuse.

Another reason why it’s so important to recognize a narcissist is that you must be careful not to fall into their traps. At first glance, they’re very charming people because they know how to draw others in. Remember that taking advantage of others makes them feel powerful. Don’t let yourself fall into their trap!