When a narcissist enters a room, they examine everyone, categorize them, and then determine their place in the hierarchy.

This constant comparison with others can be exhausting and lead to many negative experiences for the narcissist. But perhaps the most significant is jealousy.

Narcissists are jealous over the smallest things, and this is evident in the way they try to make people jealous.

It’s often said that you can tell someone’s weaknesses by what they use to attack others. Most narcissists want people to feel jealous of them, so they may boast and brag, with the spiritual intent of making people jealous.

Although narcissists welcome jealousy from others, they can become hostile when they experience it, acting in a very childish manner.

Related : When Narcissists Are NOT Narcissistic

If you know what makes a narcissist jealous, you’ll better understand their behaviors and motivations. And, if you want, you can avoid provoking them, making your life easier.

Here are some things that make narcissists jealous…

Your Happiness

While most of us love to see others happy, narcissists hate it. Especially if they’re happier than they are, even if they’re their loved ones.

When a narcissist sees someone happy, they may tear them down and ruin everything.

They may verbally abuse you, start arguments, or criticize what you do, simply because they’re jealous of your happiness.

Most narcissists don’t realize that your happiness has nothing to do with them. They act as if the happier you are, the less happy they are. It’s as if it’s a limited resource. So they try to put obstacles in their way, rather than focusing on their own happiness.

Your Empathy

People with emotional empathy find it easy to relate to others. They show kindness and care effortlessly because it comes naturally.

This makes you likable. People often compliment you.

Most narcissists want people to admire them to reinforce their illusions of superiority. They also need to win people’s favor, to gain narcissistic credit.

So narcissists may act kindly, especially to those they’re not close to, to win their favor. But this behavior is exhausting because it’s not natural. They often stumble and make mistakes.

So a narcissist may be hostile when they see you getting along with others, because they’re jealous of your empathy and your ease with people.

Related : Signs Your Friend Is A Narcissist

Out of jealousy, a narcissist may convince themselves and others that you’re just pretending, finding flaws that don’t exist. Projecting their own flaws onto you.

Your Illness

This may seem strange, but narcissists get jealous when someone gets sick, especially if it’s their partner.

In their relationships, narcissists expect to be given all the attention and resources. But when someone gets sick, they need you to return the favor. This is unacceptable.

And above all, when you’re sick, you can’t serve them. Narcissists expect their partners to always be there for them, no matter what.

So, a narcissist may ignore your illness, suggesting you’re faking it. Or they may become extremely jealous, inventing their own “illness” to compete. They selfishly reclaim the attention they feel is rightfully theirs, even though their partner is the one in need.

Your Money and Possessions

Some narcissists focus on money and possessions. Consider this a measure of their own greatness. If they see you as wealthy, it may make them jealous.

They may downplay your accomplishments, claim you’ve cheated in some way, or suggest you’re not as successful as you claim. They may even comment that you’re an arrogant braggart!

Related : What To Expect After A Split With A Narcissist

A narcissist may become obsessed with your success, talking about it and thinking about it all the time, when they should be focused on building their own success.

Promotions_at_Work

Narcissists may become extremely jealous of people who receive a promotion at work, especially if they were fired from the same job.

Instead of wishing the successful candidate well, they may quietly become angry. Or worse, they may explode publicly.

If a narcissist lacks control, they may explode at work, making a huge fuss, accusing the company of favoritism, and throwing their toys in the trash.

If they can contain their anger, they may try to frustrate their “competitor.” They may constantly criticize them and report them to their superiors, making their work life unbearable.

Their Children

Sadly, some narcissists descend into jealousy of their children and may sabotage their lives, even when they are supposed to wish them the best.

Narcissists may be jealous that their children are younger and more attractive, or jealous of their accomplishments, or even that their children are not yet burdened with adult responsibilities.

A narcissistic parent may tell their children how ugly they are, ridicule their accomplishments, or complain about how hard they work to provide for them. It’s as if the child chose to be born!

Related : Why Narcissists Mirror You

Narcissists’ jealousy of their children shows that their envy knows no bounds, because they are the ones who brought their children into this world and should wish them the best.

Moving On Apart From Them

When a relationship with a narcissist ends, they expect your life to be ruined, regardless of how they treated you or how it ended.

Narcissists can’t help but feel jealous if you move on and thrive without them. They believe they aren’t as great as they think they are. Because you deserve to cry yourself to sleep every night.

Moving on may involve another relationship, but it doesn’t have to. They may also feel jealous if you start going to the gym, spending time with friends, or living a better life.

So, narcissists may try to sabotage you, just to satisfy their jealousy.

They may spread false rumors to discredit you, or act hostile toward you. Or they may try to win you back, causing your new relationship to fail.

Related : How Narcissists Punish You

For a narcissist, moving on and living a better life is a huge slap in the face. And they can’t help but feel jealous. So, if you’ve just gotten out of a narcissistic relationship, you know what to do!

Conclusion

Narcissists are jealous of anything and everything. Although different narcissists are more bothered by things they hold dear.

For example, some narcissists take pride in their appearance. So if someone appears prettier than them, they compete fiercely. Other narcissists may take pride in their intelligence. So they get upset when someone appears smarter. But they may not be so bothered if someone looks better than them.

Narcissists spend most of their time feeling jealous of one thing or another. But they usually hide it. At the same time, they want others to be jealous of them. To prove their greatness.

So, jealousy plays a major role in the lives of most narcissists. Although they use it as a weapon, it is also one of their weaknesses. Because you can’t be better than everyone else at everything. And they know that deep down.