A new relationship is the ultimate adventure: exciting and terrifying!

But as you journey into a potential romance, be sure to pay attention to any red flags that indicate your partner may have narcissistic tendencies.

Do you think you might get involved with a narcissist? Here are 10 red flags that can clue you into their toxic traits.

So, no matter where Cupid takes you, there’s always something interesting around every romantic corner…and if it seems sketchy? Proceed with caution or stay away completely.

What is narcissism?

Narcissism is an often misunderstood personality disorder characterized by extreme self-confidence that can sometimes border on arrogance.

Characterized by a combination of grandiosity and entitlement, it has become the popular definition for people who may find it difficult to approach social situations with humility.

Here’s the problem: It can be difficult to identify narcissists without careful study. The emotional abuse they bring may go unnoticed by those who are unaware of specific signs.

So arm yourself with knowledge and protect your mental health!

Read on to learn the key indicators that someone doesn’t have your best interests at heart.

10 Warning signs of narcissistic partners

The truth is that narcissistic characteristics can be a real deal breaker in a relationship. So it is always safe to pay attention to them early.

1) You always hear them talking about themselves
A clear sign of self-focused behavior is a person who talks harshly about himself, his achievements, experiences, and even his appearance.

They constantly monopolize the conversation without even bothering to ask questions about you.

Heck, even if they did, their interest isn’t genuine.

Likewise, narcissists make grand statements without ever backing them up. For example, they may come up with a detailed plan or idea to create a business but end up doing nothing about it.

This ultimately serves the purpose of building their own value and power over conversations so that they never feel inferior to anyone else around them.

2) Narcissists have controlling behavior
We all have a little control freak in us, don’t we? We can’t help but want to maintain a certain level of control over what happens in our lives.

Now, if we’re talking about narcissists, that’s a whole new level of unparalleled ability to control and manipulate without any limits!

They often seek power and control in their relationships, controlling all decisions to feel superior. Furthermore, they may prevent you from seeing certain people or going places they don’t approve of – truly toxic behavior that can ruin your life!

And when your partner has narcissistic tendencies, no amount of compromise will matter. They will always want to get their way and expect it over everything else.

This will leave you feeling emotionally drained and left with absolutely nowhere to turn.

3) They have a serious lack of empathy
Are you in a relationship where your feelings and boundaries are constantly under attack? Someone who takes advantage of those they love without worrying about the consequences?

Now it’s time to stop and reset.

Because you are probably currently dealing with narcissistic tendencies.

Let me explain.

Narcissists have difficulty understanding empathy. They are not willing or able to think about how their words and actions affect another person.

Suppose you had an argument. Instead of taking responsibility and apologizing, they will make excuses or claim that it’s all in your head.

This is not just a sign of disrespect, but an inability to show genuine concern for how you feel – a major narcissistic trait.

Even if they apologize afterward, there is usually no real emotional connection between what they said or what they did wrong.

Moreover, making adjustments becomes unimportant for them.

Of course, this does not make them sociopaths per se, but rather makes narcissism their weakness.

4) Unwillingness to compromise
Relationships are all about compromises. Most of the time, you and your partner have to meet each other halfway to make it work.

However, narcissistic partners are so caught up in their self-image that they do not understand the concept of compromise.

In their minds, it’s not about compromising the relationship.

Instead, it takes an all-or-nothing approach to relationships. Their needs and desires are placed above everyone else’s, leaving no room for any kind of negotiation and flexibility.

Furthermore, narcissistic partners may expect others to submit to their desires. People have to be willing to bend over backwards for them with little effort on their part in return.

I could go on and on, but the main point here is that narcissistic partners are often unwilling to make sacrifices or even compromises in the relationship.

If you’re seeing this behavior, it’s time to re-evaluate your relationship dynamic.

5) They have weak communication skills
When it comes to great relationships, effective communication is key! But if you think you’re dating a narcissist, he or she may have difficulty with conversations that go beyond the surface level.

This is because they need to focus on themselves.

Narcissists can be sensitive to criticism and difficult conversations, which can lead to negative interactions.

To create a more meaningful connection, try to engage them in topics they are interested in. Ask questions that will help you learn about their values and interests.

Doing so shows your understanding and appreciation for the person behind the narcissism.

So, if you feel like you and your partner are stuck in a cycle of conflict, take the time to check for signs of narcissism. They can be sensitive to challenges or criticism – so much so that they may respond aggressively rather than resolve matters peacefully.

Communication should always come first: make sure both sides understand each other and promote open dialogue with each other.

6) The narcissist has unrealistic expectations
Has your partner been making demands on you and expecting the world to revolve around him? When things go exactly according to plan, do they feel extremely disappointed to the point of anger or do they become extremely anxious?

This may indicate a deeper problem than simply wanting to make a decision.

You see, narcissists tend to place incredibly high expectations on themselves – as well as on their partners!

They often expect unconditional love, perfect service, and immediate attention at any moment.

These unrealistic demands can leave you feeling drained and unfulfilled.

Added to this: excessive amounts of stress within your relationship, which saps its strength mentally and physically…and yours too!

Look, if your relationship is already tainted by this kind of narcissistic tendency, having an honest conversation might be worth your time.

Although bringing up these types of topics may not come naturally or easily, this dialogue will help ensure that you and they understand why their behavior needs to change in order for you to have a healthier connection.

7) You are constantly criticized by them
Have your conversations with your partner seemed like one-way lectures lately?

If you often find yourself facing a barrage of criticism, it may be a good indicator that they are a narcissist.

But isn’t that a normal part of any relationship?

Well, yes and no.

While kind comments in relationships can help you grow and become your best self, most narcissistic partners use criticism as a weapon.

They usually aim to tear you down rather than build you up. It’s the relentless negativity that negatively impacts your sense of worthiness.

This is an obvious red flag because narcissistic partners are usually more focused on how you make them look rather than the actual criticism itself.

So, if your partner always points out your flaws and expects perfection from you, it could be a sign of narcissistic behavior.

8) Narcissists display extreme envy and jealousy
Envy is a natural emotion. But when it comes to narcissists, they take things to the extreme.

They constantly display suspicious behavior or become overly possessive. Moreover, they are threatened by any kind of success or achievement you achieve.

Here’s the thing: Most narcissists will go to great lengths to make sure their own needs and viewpoints are met.

This may mean manipulating situations in a way that hinders your goals, or even sabotages the progress you have made.

This type of jealousy is so unfounded and often irrational, that even small things can trigger their feelings of insecurity.

If your partner is looking for opportunities to compare you to others, or is trying to control the amount of attention you give to someone else – he or she is likely displaying narcissistic behavior.

Unfortunately, this means that their focus has shifted from fully considering your feelings to only caring about themselves.

9) They use gaslighting as a form of manipulation to get their way
Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that narcissists use to intimidate and control their partners. This tactic involves playing psychological games such as denying reality, manipulating information by denying the existence of any real facts, and trying to create doubt in the victim’s mind.

For example, your partner may deny making a certain comment or doing something that you know happened.

Or they may be so convincing in their denial that you begin to doubt yourself, making it difficult to trust your instincts and memory.

This is often an attempt by narcissistic people to get what they want, which is often power and control over a situation.

It all boils down to this: If gaslighting is being used in your relationship, it is a sure sign of narcissistic behavior and should not be ignored.

10) Lack of accountability
Have you ever wondered why your partner never takes responsibility for his or her mistakes?

This may be a sign of narcissistic behavior.

Narcissistic people are often unable to account for their actions and blame anyone but themselves.

When it comes to facing scrutiny, these people use an arsenal of tricks ranging from the classic blame game all the way to simply pretending as if nothing ever happened.

This type of behavior may seem exhausting and unhelpful within a relationship. They are liable to shift the blame elsewhere. Where will they direct their efforts?

directly to you.

When your partner avoids taking responsibility, it can really affect your romantic relationship. You feel like all your hard work is in vain when they are unable or unwilling to do their part.