It’s almost impossible not to embody at least one narcissistic trait. Here’s why: As young children, we are acutely vulnerable. We’re not yet equipped to care for ourselves, so we’re completely dependent on our caregivers for sustenance. Yet they often…
Key Points Deserved praise can be motivating and help build confidence. Narcissists may use praise to control others by manipulating their sense of self-worth and security in relationships. Narcissists may use praise as love, intimacy, or undeserved entitlement, and they…
Key Points Emotionally intelligent people often act as magnets for narcissists. Understanding this dynamic can help emotionally intelligent people spot narcissistic tendencies before investing in a relationship. There are four stages of narcissistic manipulation: attraction, feeling small, sabotage, and countering…
Key Points Malignant narcissism is a combination of narcissistic personality and antisocial personality.Malignant narcissists will attack or humiliate others for even minor infractions.Those who deal with malignant narcissists often find them to be jealous, petty, thin-skinned, punitive, spiteful, scheming, and…
In my previous article on narcissism, I featured Dr. Josh Miller, a professor of psychology at the University of Georgia and an expert on narcissism, who graciously accepted my request for an interview. I asked him a variety of questions…
Key Points Cognitive dissonance, or having two very different beliefs about something at the same time, is common in relationships with narcissists. Signs of cognitive dissonance include paralysis from self-doubt, second-guessing your decisions, constant apologizing, and more. Learning to trust…
When we get too caught up in a relationship, the tendency is to lose objectivity. We may be unhappy, but we don’t fully realize it… and so we allow the toxic status quo to persist. In a sense, you become…
Recognizing manipulation in a relationship isn’t easy. Manipulators often do it so subtly, making it difficult to spot the behavior for what it is. Manipulators portray themselves as caring and understanding, making it difficult for you to discern their true…
Manipulative/narcissistic people can cause a great deal of trauma. If you’re in a relationship with a manipulator/narcissist, they may have traumatized you in ways you didn’t even realize. Read on to discover how a manipulator/narcissist can affect how you view…
Is there anything else to be learned about narcissism? Have you ever suspected that the people at the top—our leaders, our politicians, etc.—might be more interested in themselves than anyone else? And what happens when narcissism and wealth collide? Woody…
