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According to research from State University, narcissists are defined by several key traits, including a sense of entitlement, an excessive focus on oneself, and a reduced ability to understand and relate to the feelings of others.
Some individuals tend to mask their less desirable qualities with a charming and likable personality in the early stages of a relationship, which can make it challenging to notice them initially.
“People are often surprised when I say this, but when I meet someone who appears extremely charming and sociable, it raises my guard,” Brunell said.
‘One can certainly find individuals who are both likable and charming who do not suffer from narcissism. Nevertheless, I believe it is sensible to be on guard and safeguard oneself.’
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It often takes the form of excessive flattery, gift-giving and an overwhelming amount of attention at the beginning of a relationship.
, said Brunell.
It’s wonderful at first, but later turns out it’s not working, and it’s often too late to stop being together by then. That’s why it’s best to watch out for these signs at the beginning.
Other common symptoms of narcissism include a consistent need for praise and accolades, exploiting others and expecting special treatment without returning the favor, as noted by Brunell.
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This study could be particularly helpful for people who are currently in long-term relationships with someone who has narcissistic tendencies.
A recent study discovered that even individuals with narcissistic tendencies may become more empathetic when explicitly asked to consider another person’s viewpoint in a given scenario.
Research found that when narcissists recalled a past instance where they demonstrated concern, affection, or acceptance towards another person, their narcissistic tendencies began to decrease over time.
“Suggest that these lines of research and others like them hold promise in showing that narcissists are capable of changing their behavior for the better,” Brunell said.
The duration and scope of these positive effects remain unclear, and their operation outside of a lab environment is still not well understood.
‘These provide some hope, but we still cannot yet confirm whether these tactics will be effective in a real-world setting.’
While ending a toxic long-term relationship with a narcissistic partner can be extremely difficult, those who are still in the early stages may have a greater opportunity to escape.
“If you’re in a new relationship and you sense that the other person has narcissistic tendencies, it’s best to exit the relationship,” Brunell said.
This is difficult to manage when they constantly praise you and shower you with attention.
These key principles apply to all narcissists.
Be aware of various forms of narcissism.
Three main forms of more modern research have been identified by Brunell.
The “Agentic Grandiose Narcissism” type is characterized by grandiosity, a high level of self-esteem, being outgoing, arrogance, and a desire for dominance.
They hold overly optimistic views of their abilities, particularly their skills and cognitive prowess. Consequently, they perceive themselves to be more exceptional, even if such notions are unsupported by objective standards.
Some individuals exhibit behavior aiming to establish a sense of superiority over others by belittling or mocking them. For such individuals, personal status takes precedence over connections with others, far outweighing other concerns.
The second type is Communal Grandiose Narcissism. These narcissists pursue admiration by being altruistic and helpful, a seeming contradiction.
While it may appear that communal narcissists are highly concerned with the welfare of others, their actions are actually driven by a self-centered need for admiration.
One study discovered that communal narcissists became less cooperative when they received affirming feedback about their character.
Third is Vulnerable Narcissism, which is marked by low self-esteem and negative emotions. They usually have trouble with anxiety and depression.
They often appear to be socially reserved, protective, and vengeful, and have a hard time trusting others because they believe many people intend to harm them.
Despite their self-absorption, narcissists are extremely sensitive to social validation due to their difficulty in managing their own self-worth, which makes them heavily reliant on others’ opinions.
Although researchers have gained a significant amount of new understanding about various forms of narcissism in recent years, Brunell said that there is still a lot that experts do not know, particularly when it comes to effectively dealing with these personalities.
She believes that individuals frequently encounter narcissists in their daily lives. However, it is crucial to have more research on the most effective strategies for interacting with them in day-to-day situations.
There are many valuable how-to suggestions, but we’re still unclear about their actual effectiveness.
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