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

But as you journey into a potential romance, be sure to watch out for any red flags that your partner may have narcissistic tendencies.

Do you think you might be involved with a narcissist? Here are 10 red flags that can tell you of their toxic traits.

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

What is narcissism?

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

It is characterized by a mixture of grandiosity and entitlement, and has become the common definition of humility for people who may find it difficult to handle social situations.

Here’s the rub: Narcissists can be hard to spot without careful study. The emotional abuse they bring may go unnoticed by those who are not aware of certain signs.

So arm yourself with knowledge and protect your mental health!

Read on for the main signs that someone doesn’t have your best interests at heart.

10 Warning signs of narcissistic partners

In truth, narcissistic characteristics can be a real deal breaker in a relationship. So it is always better to pay attention to them early.

1) You always hear them talking about themselves
A clear sign of egocentric behavior is someone who talks harshly about himself – his achievements, experiences, and even his appearance.

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

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

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

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

2) Narcissists have a controlling behaviour
We all have a little control freak in us, right? We can’t help wanting to maintain some level of control over what happens in our lives.

Now, if we are talking about narcissists, that is a whole new level of unrivaled ability to control and manipulate without any limits!

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

As you know, relationships can be a tricky game.

And when your partner has narcissistic tendencies, no amount of compromise matters. They will always want what they want and expect it over everything else.

This will leave you feeling emotionally drained 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 the ones they love without worrying about the consequences?

Now is the time to pause and reset.

Because it is possible that you are currently dealing with narcissistic tendencies.

Let me explain.

Narcissists have trouble understanding empathy. They are not willing or unable to consider how their words and actions could hurt another person.

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

This is not just a sign of disrespect, but an inability to show real consideration for how you feel – a core narcissistic trait.

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

Moreover, making adjustments becomes inconsequential in relation to it.

Of course, this doesn’t make them sociopaths per se, but rather narcissism’s Achilles’ heel.

4) Unwillingness to compromise
Relationships are all about compromises. More often than not, you and your partner have to meet each other halfway to make it work.

However, narcissistic partners are so caught up in their own self-image that they don’t understand the concept of compromise.

In their minds, it is not about compromising the relationship.

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

On top of that, 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 the end in return.

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

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

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

This is due to their 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 relationship, try to involve them in topics they love. Ask questions that will help you gain insight into their values and interests.

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

So if you and your partner feel stuck in a cycle of conflict, take the time to check for signs of narcissism. They can be sensitive to challenges or criticism – to the point where they may respond with aggression rather than resolving things peacefully.

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

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

It can indicate a deeper problem than just wanting to make decisions.

You could be caught in a stressful circle with someone who is showing signs of narcissism.

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

They often expect unconditional love, perfect service, and instant attention at a moment’s notice.

These unrealistic demands can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled.

It adds to this: excessive amounts of stress within your relationship, both mentally and physically, sap its strength…and yours too!

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

While broaching this type of topic may not come naturally or easy, this dialogue will help ensure that both you and your partner understand why their behavior needs to change for a healthier connection between you.

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 indication that they are a narcissist.

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

Well, yes and no.

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

They usually aim to tear you down rather than build you up. It is relentless negativity that negatively affects your sense of worthiness.

This is a clear red flag because narcissistic partners are usually more focused on how they make themselves look rather than the actual criticism itself.

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

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

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

There you have it: most narcissists will go out of their way to make sure their needs and viewpoints are met.

This could mean manipulating situations in a way that gets in the way of your goals, or even sabotages the progress you’ve made.

This type of jealousy is unfounded and often irrational – so much so that little things can trigger their fears.

If your partner is looking for opportunities to compare you to others, or trying to control the amount of attention you give to another person – they are probably displaying narcissistic behavior.

Unfortunately, this means that their focus has shifted from considering your feelings completely 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 attempting to create doubt in the victim’s mind.

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

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

Are you left feeling confused, uncertain and helpless?

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

It all boils down to this: If gaslighting has been used in your relationship, this is a sure sign that narcissistic behavior is present and should not be ignored.

10) They have a lack of accountability
Have you ever wondered why your partner never owns up to their mistakes?

This may be a sign of narcissistic behavior.

Narcissistic people often struggle with not being able to hold their actions accountable and blaming anyone but themselves.

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

This kind of behavior can seem stressful and unhelpful in a relationship. They are prone to shifting the blame elsewhere. Where will they direct their efforts?

When your partner avoids taking responsibility, it can really take a toll on your romantic relationship. You feel like all of your hard work goes to waste when they are unable or unwilling to do their part.

So if your partner can’t accept any wrongdoing or wrongdoing, that’s an undeniable red flag.

What do you do if you are dating a narcissist?
Dating a narcissist can be deceptively tricky. From the inviting charms of their confidence to the later signs like controlling behavior and disdain, it’s hard to know what you might be getting yourself into until the red flags start popping up. If this applies to your current partner, here are three strategies that can help turn the tide:

Set clear, healthy boundaries
Establishing healthy boundaries is key to having a fulfilling relationship, especially with the most difficult people.

This can help create strong bonds that don’t require sacrificing your own personality.

In addition, it can be an effective way to get you to take yourself more seriously and respect your needs.

talk about your self
Navigating a relationship with someone who displays narcissistic tendencies can be an emotionally challenging experience. It takes strength and resilience to overcome such a disorder, but it’s not impossible!

And building up your courage is key when it comes to maintaining mental health in difficult situations.

Of course, expressing concerns can be intimidating. This is because sometimes, you feel like you might be brought down.

Just be honest.

Ultimately, talking about any issue can help prevent potential misunderstandings from escalating into more destructive conflicts.

By speaking up and standing strong, you are sending the message that you are not someone they can control or manipulate.

You don’t need to struggle alone. Use the power of your support network!

As you know, it can be helpful to discuss relationship issues with a trusted family member or friend. But remember, if your partner appears to be a narcissist, the underlying cause could stem from some kind of trauma rather than just selfishness.

To help you and them on the path to healthy relationships, why not get advice from an impartial outsider?

Furthermore, it is important to have someone to talk to and vent your feelings without fear of judgment.