Is it easy to spot narcissistic behavior in men? Sometimes — yes, especially when we’re talking about a public figure like Donald Trump.
But when you’re dealing with someone less transparent, it could be like deciphering a secret code.
That’s because someone gifted in the art of deception knows how to project the right image. They won’t immediately set off your alarms when you meet them. In fact, you might even find them charming, charismatic, or fascinating.
Still, any narcissist will become more obvious the more you know them. They wear their masks well, but sooner or later their true colors will show.
You may be wondering: why are we talking about narcissistic behavior in men? Can’t anyone be a narcissist – men and women, young and old, adults and children, gay, straight, and everything in between?
Absolutely. Narcissism is not limited to a specific gender or any one group. But narcissistic behavior in men differs from the same behavior in women. Here’s why.

Why Male and Female Narcissistic Behaviors Are Different
Although there are common traits, male and female narcissism presents differently.
For one, female narcissists are more likely to have a passive-aggressive way of expressing themselves. Narcissistic men, on the other hand, tend to be more transparent, aggressive, arrogant, and prone to narcissistic rage.
Another major difference is that narcissistic women tend to be focused on their physical appearance (sometimes called “somatic narcissism”), while their male counterparts are more likely to be driven by the desire for power and achievement.
If you look at these differences closely, you’ll realize that they originate in our society’s gender roles.
Girls are praised for being pretty and are discouraged from showing anger, aggression, and dominance. Boys are praised for being masculine and are discouraged from showing their emotions and vulnerability.
Coupled with a misogynistic belief that men are better leaders than women, and a pressure to be successful and dominant, these cultural messages are bound to create generations of narcissistic men.
Covert vs. Overt Narcissism
Although differences exist, they are more like patterns than rules. There are passive-aggressive covert males, just like there are overtly narcissistic females.
For example, covert male narcissists don’t present like a “textbook” narcissist. But that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. In fact, it can be argued that covert guys are more dangerous because they can fly under most people’s radar.
This is what people often don’t realize: a narcissist doesn’t necessarily come off as “the bad boy” or a toxic person.
My narcissistic ex was a college professor, and he was usually very generous with me. He was liked by everyone, including his students. He had an active social life, a great sense of humor, and an appreciation for the arts.
If you met him, you’d probably think he’s a great guy — not narcissistic in the slightest. In fact, a little self-deprecating even. It was only when you “crossed” him that his true nature came out.
But this is a topic for another discussion. In this article, we will focus on typical narcissistic behavior and traits in men.
22 Common Examples of Narcissistic Behavior in Men

1. Jealousy: you belong to me
Narcissistic men tend to be jealous and possessive. They demand total loyalty and lash out violently when they perceive even the slightest betrayal.
For example, talking to another man at a party could be seen as cheating by a narcissistic partner.
Of course, they never hold themselves up to the same high standard.
2. Blame: it’s always you
Whatever happens in the relationship, it’s always your fault. He will find a way to twist the situation in a way that makes you look like the bad guy. Every time.
This is the essence of narcissistic abuse. You are forced to take responsibility for everything so that the narcissistic man can feel superior and in control.
He will punish you with the silent treatment and other emotionally abusive tactics until you do. So don’t expect apologies from him.
3. Cheating and womanizing
Despite the jealousy and the possessiveness he exhibits in a relationship, a narcissistic partner is unlikely to be faithful.
His deep insecurity makes him crave attention and actively work to attract people.
He is often flirty with other women, and because he lacks boundaries, he can easily cross them.

4. Gaslighting and crazymaking
Any narcissist uses gaslighting and crazymaking. This is what allows him to evade responsibility for his abusive behavior.
And since he uses it a lot, he’s really good at it. Practice makes perfect!
It also allows him to always have an upper hand in the relationship.
For example, you suspect that your boyfriend is cheating so you confront him about it. He denies it passionately and feigns indignation. You feel terrible about your suspicions and end up apologizing to him.
That’s gaslighting in an intimate relationship at its finest. Whenever you confront him about his actions, you walk away confused or convinced that you did something wrong, not him.
5. Sexist ideas about women
We already touched upon the fact that our culture nurtures narcissism in boys by instilling in them a sense of entitlement and superiority.
For that reason, narcissistic men often have skewed perceptions of men and women and can make misogynistic statements. They tend to see women as either gold-digging whores or immaculate maternal Madonnas.
Between you and me, even if the guy is not a narcissist, it’s a huge red flag.
6. Inconsistent and confusing behavior
It’s hard to understand his “multiple personalities.” One day he’s the life of the party, the next day — the Unabomber who hates the world. One day he adores you, then the ghosts you for a week.
He can also have a very different persona in public than in private. If you want to know more, here’s a detailed post about the typical masks narcissists wear.

7. Driven by the need to control
Narcissists crave control. It’s how they deal with the inner chaos and shame they experience.
Sometimes their need for dominance and control is obvious, like when you have a narcissistic boss or a coworker who aggressively climbs the career ladder.
But more often than not, it’s more subtle than that. It’s in the way the narcissist takes control of your mind by conditioning you to want his approval.
8. Preoccupied with self-image
Image is everything to a narcissist. He’s all about appearances. That’s why he has to project an image of a perfect family or a perfect relationship to an outside world.
For example, a narcissistic father will put pressure on his kids to always look presentable, have perfect grades, excel at sports and other activities. If the child fails to uphold the image of a perfect family with perfect kids, the parent lashes out violently or rejects the child, making him or her the scapegoat.
A narcissistic man is also a master of impression management, so he easily charms anyone he meets. That is why his victims often fear that no one will believe them if they ever tell about the abuse.
9. Monopolizes the conversation
An easily observable narcissistic behavior in men is the tendency to dominate the conversation.
For example, speaking without giving other people a chance to speak, interrupting often, talking about themselves excessively, goofing off or being provocative to attract attention, etc.
This behavior is often accompanied by an inability to listen or losing interest when someone else is speaking.
10. Spends a lot of time self-grooming
Like the proverbial Narcissus, narcissistic men are in love with their reflection, so they spend a lot of time on their appearance.
They can be obsessed with exercising, have elaborate skincare routines, or even indulge in plastic surgery.
Because of all their efforts, they are often attractive men with good physiques, although it is not always the case.

11. Selfish lover
Narcissists are users, and they use sex, too. They use it as an extension of their ego, as a means of control, or even as a weapon.
They are likely to push for sex after a first date. To accomplish that, they will simulate incredible infatuation and desire (“love bombing”).
They prioritize their needs, and they only do what feels good to them. However, in a twist of Stockholm Syndrome, sex with a narcissist can feel amazing or even addictive.
12. Takes unnecessary risks
One of the most common traits in narcissistic men is their propensity to engage in self-destructive or high-risk behaviors.
Muchresearchand real-life examples (Wall Street) prove that narcissists take more risks than others, although it’s not entirely clear why.
One reason could be that they overestimate their abilities to predict the outcome, and are too self-deluded to consider the consequences of losing.
13. Ignores boundaries
If you happen to be dating a narcissistic male, you’ll quickly find out that he doesn’t care much for boundaries.
He can be quite intrusive when he wants to get access to you. He may call or text repeatedly, ignore your requests for space, show up to your home or work unannounced, etc. (love-bombing). He will justify it with how strongly he feels about you.
All of this can be fairly harmless, albeit annoying. But the more committed you are to a relationship with a narcissist, the bolder he will be about violating your boundaries.
14. Isolates intimate partners
Another common narcissistic behavior in men is isolating their partner and trying to control who they can communicate with.
This isolating process can be really subtle in the beginning. But with time, it escalates to the point where you feel like a captive in your relationship.
This is a clear sign that you need toget out.
15. Holds grudges and retaliates viciously
It may seem that arrogance is the defining characteristic of a narcissistic man. But in fact, it’s the split between his projected, false self and his true, damaged, deeply fragile self.
Behind his superficial bravado, thenarcissist feels worthlessand is vulnerable to the slightest criticism or disapproval.
That’s why the second he feels under attack — whether it’s real or imagined — he hits back with vicious and unapologetic brutality. And he never forgives and forgets.

16. Has grandiose fantasies
Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love is one of the textbook criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
My narcissistic ex had a very active fantasy life where he envisioned himself as a famous movie star, adored by millions of screaming fans. He had the ambition to be an actor but his efforts in that direction were feeble and sporadic.
So if a guy in your life has grandiose fantasies but does little to make them a reality, he may be a narcissist who escapes into fantasy to satisfy his ego.
17. Lacks empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand, sense, and experience the feelings of another person.
A lack of empathy is another classic sign of narcissism.
A narcissistic male seems to ignore or misinterpret social cues about other people’s feelings. That’s why he is often unable to understand the true impact of his actions.
He easily disregards the needs and feelings of others. He also seems cold and detached when someone needs emotional support.
18. Brags and shows off
Bragging or exaggerating achievements is a typical example of narcissistic behavior. Again, this is more typical of men than women.
While there’s nothing wrong with displaying your success, narcissists relish every morsel of it as proof that they are better than others.
Usually, showing off is meant to impress others. But with narcissists, it serves a deeper purpose: to constantly remind the narcissist of their own greatness.
They will never miss a chance to name-drop or casually mention their latest acquisition.
19. Can go from 0 to 100
A narcissistic male is prone to anger. There is a name for it: narcissistic rage.
Usually, it happens when you do or say something that sets him off.
Whatever it is, it’s not something inherently malicious but the narcissist’s reaction will make you feel like you’ve done something terrible.
After the rage episode, he may act guilty and even offer apologies. But the damage is done.
Anger is his instrument of control. It creates fear and compliance. And it makes you feel like you have to be vigilant to prevent another fight.

20. Habitually lies
A narcissistic man lies for so many reasons, and sometimes for no reason at all.
Whether he makes false promises, covers up his transgressions, or embellishes his achievements, the “why” is not important. What’s interesting is the “how.”
A narcissistic man lies with no sense of discomfort, shame, or remorse. He lies convincingly and habitually. And, most strikingly, he believes his own lies.
The line between the lie and the truth is blurred in his mind. It’s not important. Lying is just a means to an end.
21. Can’t handle failure
Nobody likes losing but it happens. It’s a part of life.
But to a narcissistic man who’s always in pursuit of status and admiration, failure is a devastating ego blow that can trigger his narcissistic injury.
Narcissists hate losing. That’s why they will do anything to win. They will lie, cheat, betray, manipulate — all in the name of winning.
And if they do lose, they have elaborate ways to rationalize it.
For example, if they were playing a party game and lost, they’ll get angry and announce that the game was rigged, the rules are wrong, it’s stupid, they lost on purpose, etc.
22. Easily takes offense or sees malice in others’ actions
Narcissists tend to be in denial of their own mistakes and shortcomings. At the same time, they have deep shame at the center of their being.
So they can be very sensitive towards criticism in their direction.
It’s especially true if the criticism is expressed in public. Seeing the critique as an attempt to humiliate them, they can respond in a ruthless and personal manner.
Overall, narcissistic men tend to be quite paranoid and find malice even in most innocent encounters.

Final Thoughts on Narcissistic Behavior in Men
Even though both genders can display narcissism, narcissistic behavior in men is more common because society tolerates, encourages, and rewards it.
We see it everywhere around us — politics, entertainment, media… And yet, sometimes we miss the obvious signs of narcissism when it comes to the men who are close to us.
Whether it’s family, work, or intimate relationships, people with narcissistic traits are notoriously difficult to deal with. And the basic advice you often hear is: go no contact. Cut them loose and don’t let them back into your life under any circumstances.
The reality, however, is more nuanced than that.
What also complicates the situation is that on the surface, he’s such a great guy! Everyone likes him.
But you know better. You’ve seen a side of him that few people have seen.
So now it is time to reflect on your situation with utmost honesty and decide what you want to do next.
NEXT
A Child Custody Battle With a Narcissist: Best Strategies That Win Cases
10 Grave Mistakes to Avoid When Going No Contact with a Narcissist
7 Spiritual Lessons a Narcissist Can Teach You

References
Kowalchyk, M., Palmieri, H., Conte, E., & Wallisch, P. (2021). Narcissism through the lens of performative self-elevation. Personality and Individual Differences, 177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110780
Mosquera, D. & andGonzalez, A. (2011). Narcissism as a consequence of trauma and early experiences. European Journal of Trauma and Dissociation Newsletter, 1(4).
FAQs
What is the number 1 narcissist trait? ›
Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people. Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important. Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them. Take advantage of others to get what they want.
What are the 5 main habits of a narcissist? ›- Inflated Ego. Those who suffer from narcissism usually seem themselves as superior to others. ...
- Lack of Empathy. ...
- Need for Attention. ...
- Repressed Insecurities. ...
- Few Boundaries.
One of the weird things narcissists do involves destroying your happiness and relaxing moments. They will purposefully do things to prevent you from doing something as simple as sleep. Even if you had a long day or are sick, a narcissist may start a fight while you are trying to sleep.
What is a male narcissist weakness? ›A monumental weakness in the narcissist is the failure to look internally and flesh out what needs to be worked on. Then, of course, the next step is to spend time improving. The narcissist sabotages any possibility of looking deep within.
How do narcissists treat their partners? ›They will often deploy a variety of narcissistic relationship patterns such as manipulation, charismatic, and exploitational tactics in order to ensure that their own needs and wants are met. As a spouse, you may be the subject of their manipulation and abuse, while your partner treats everyone else positively.
What is the #1 word a narcissist Cannot stand? ›It comes hand-in-hand with this that narcissists hate being criticised or called out. Which is exactly why there's one word in particular narcissistic people cannot stand: "no".
Who does the narcissist fear the most? ›Although narcissists act superior, entitled and boastful, underneath their larger-than-life facade lies their greatest fear: That they are ordinary. For narcissists, attention is like oxygen. Narcissists believe only special people get attention.
What are the worst narcissist type? ›Malignant narcissists are often regarded as having the most extreme form of NPD, and while they will have the regular qualities of someone with narcissistic personality disorder, their self-absorption and self-obsession is accompanied by some darker behaviors as well.
How do you spot a narcissist easily? ›They have a sense of entitlement and expect favorable treatment. They take advantage of others to achieve their goals. They lack empathy and don't try to identify with the needs of others. They envy others, or believe others envy them.
What are the biggest signs of a narcissist? ›- Grandiose sense of self-importance. ...
- Lives in a fantasy world that supports their delusions of grandeur. ...
- Needs constant praise and admiration. ...
- Sense of entitlement. ...
- Exploits others without guilt or shame. ...
- Frequently demeans, intimidates, bullies, or belittles others.
What are the trigger points of a narcissist? ›
- They don't get their way, even if what they want is unreasonable.
- They feel that they've been criticized, even if the critique is constructive or said kindly.
- They're not the center of attention.
- They're caught breaking rules or not respecting boundaries.
- blame shifting.
- deception.
- gaslighting.
- ghosting.
- love bombing.
- playing the victim.
- projection.
- triangulation.
Living or working with a narcissistic person can be incredibly challenging, often leading to feelings of inadequacy, self doubt, and anxiety. In more extreme cases, exposure to a narcissist can lead to clinical depression from the emotional abuse and torment a person has had to endure.
What kinds of things do narcissists do? ›- Take over conversations. ...
- Hold you to a different standard. ...
- Ignore and cross your boundaries. ...
- Narcissist weird eating habits. ...
- Everything is always your fault. ...
- Pretend like they know everything. ...
- Demand attention and validation.
- Don't say, "It's not about you." ...
- Don't say, "You're not listening." ...
- Don't say, "Ina Garten did not get her lasagna recipe from you." ...
- Don't say, "Do you think it might be your fault?" ...
- Don't say, "You're being a bully." ...
- Don't say, "Stop playing the victim."
The reason youve found yourself the target of narcissistic hatred is that they view love as a weakness and consequently, it repulses them. But, at the same time, it allows them to extract copious amounts of narcissistic supply. This is why they seem to hate you but wont let you go easily.
What can destroy a narcissist? ›- 1 Ignore their forms of manipulation.
- 2 Flaunt how happy you are without them.
- 3 Set boundaries to protect yourself.
- 4 Deny them what they want.
- 5 Stay calm when they try to upset you.
- 6 Cut off all contact with them if you can.
- 7 Be leery of future love bombing.
The narcissist views their spouse as an extension of themselves. If the narcissist wants to present themselves to the world in a certain way, they will pick a spouse who can help them with that image. This can be based on looks, wealth, or other qualities the narcissist wants to use to their advantage.
What narcissists do to their wives? ›Narcissists cheat on their spouses, commit adultery and have extramarital affairs and liaisons for a variety of reasons which reflect disparate psychodynamic processes.
What it's like arguing with a narcissist? ›Arguing with a narcissist can be extremely difficult — people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) feel very little empathy for others and are often manipulative. They may use tactics like turning the blame on you, gaslighting you, and resorting to disrespectful behavor.
What is the one word narcissists hate? ›
There are many words people high in narcissism don't want to hear, but perhaps the worst involve a “no,” as in “No, you can't," "No, you're wrong," or — even worse — “No, I won't.” This makes it difficult to go about your ordinary business with the people in your life who don't understand the give-and-take of normal ...
What is the hamburger method for narcissists? ›The hamburger method is a way of communicating that makes receiving criticism easier. The ingredients are compliment, confront, and compliment. Think of as a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Because the narcissistic ego needs regular stroking, this works nearly every time.
How to scare a narcissist? ›- Don't give them your attention.
- Starve them of empathy.
- Show strength and confidence.
- Ignore them.
- Set and enforce boundaries.
- Say no.
- Challenge them.
- Hold them accountable.
Narcissists are so insecure that they constantly need praise and admiration from others. They seek it from others and sometimes, even from themselves. The reason is that they want to be superior to all and this is the only way they know how to make themselves feel better.
What type of narcissist is the smartest? ›Cerebral narcissists, also known as intellectual narcissists, are individuals who try to fulfill their narcissistic supply through their perceived intelligence. While intellectual narcissists are generally smart, they may present as if they are more educated than they really are.
Why are narcissists so nasty? ›“This happens when, again, there's such an inflated view of the self that you're not able to process and respect the needs, wants, and feelings of others,” says Dr. Hoffman. This lack of empathy in narcissists is what makes their behaviors so inherently hurtful, whether they're “trying” to be hurtful or not.
Does narcissism get worse with age? ›Summary: For most people, narcissism wanes as they age. A new study reports the magnitude of the decline of narcissistic traits is tied to specific career and personal relationship choices. However, this is not true for everyone.
What is a narcissistic bully? ›Narcissistic bullies can be very aggressive in their bullying behavior and don't restrain themselves the way that most people do. They often will attack their target's self-esteem in order to dominate them, which can lead to self-doubts that immobilize their target.
Is there a way to test someone for narcissism? ›The most official of the narcissism tests, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), is commonly used to determine if someone displays narcissistic behaviors.
How do you know if someone is secretly narcissistic? ›- Superficial charm.
- Attention-seeking.
- Lack of reliability.
- Manipulation.
- The propensity to break peoples' boundaries.
- Inflated sense of self-importance and self-centered.
- An exaggerated sense of self.
What are the danger signs of a narcissist? ›
- overblown sense of self-importance.
- fantasies of unlimited success, brilliance, and more.
- belief that they're special and should only associate with high status people.
- need for excessive admiration.
- sense of entitlement.
- exploitation of others for their own benefit.
- lack empathy.
High-functioning narcissists are often outgoing, articulate, socially engaging, and highly successful, using their narcissistic traits to succeed and gain the admiration of others.
What does a narcissist look like physically? ›Narcissists are more likely to wear expensive, flashy clothing, have an organized, neat appearance requiring a lot of preparation, and (in females) wear makeup and show cleavage.
What do narcissists avoid? ›A hallmark of people who have strong narcissistic and other dark personality traits (hereafter referred to as narcissists) is the avoidance of taking responsibility for their dysfunctional or incompetent behavior. Since they already have shaky and low self-esteem, they try to mask it with fake confidence.
What do narcissists thrive on? ›Narcissists thrive on getting attention, feeling special, and having control. He is an expert at getting an emotional reaction out of you – good or bad – because it makes him feel powerful and better than you. The best thing you can do is not react.
What is an example of a narcissist baiting? ›Some typical examples of bait include: Fear-provoking & scaremongering - these include any attempts to illicit fear and anxiety in you or others. A narcissist will seem to inherently attune to your specific fears, insecurities or anxieties. Intrigue - classic narcissistic fishing technique of trying to pull others in.
What is a typical conversation with a narcissist? ›In general, a typical conversation with a narcissist might focus on superficial or material things on the one hand. On the other hand, they judge you or try to manipulate you into their way of thinking. Although, let's not forget that narcissism hides a tremendous amount of pain and insecurity underneath it all.
How do you take power from a narcissist? ›- Plan a safe exit. ...
- Use any withholding periods as times for radical self-care and productivity. ...
- Resolve to integrate the painful lesson of withholding into your future experiences.
Narcissists are motivated by feeling superior and expanding their power, and so the only things that matter when helping others are receiving adulation, fame, influence, opportunities, notoriety, and other resources. They dont actually care about others because to them other people are just things to use.
Do narcissists love routine? ›Narcissists don't care for the boring routines of life. Such as house work, paying bills, looking after children etc. And over time, ALL these things become you're responsibility.
What is the GREY rock method? ›
The grey rock method is where you deliberately act unresponsive or unengaged so that an abusive person will lose interest in you. Abusive people thrive on emotions and drama. When you act indifferent and don't show your emotions, they may lose interest and stop bothering you. This is known as “grey rocking.”
What are weird habits of narcissists? ›One of the weird things narcissists do involves destroying your happiness and relaxing moments. They will purposefully do things to prevent you from doing something as simple as sleep. Even if you had a long day or are sick, a narcissist may start a fight while you are trying to sleep.
What do narcissists struggle with? ›Many people with narcissism struggle with pervasive feelings of insecurity underneath the outward superiority and entitlement they present to the world. Many people with narcissism struggle with pervasive feelings of insecurity underneath the outward superiority and entitlement they present to the world.
What are narcissistic men attracted to? ›In fact, narcissists prefer to target someone who is strong-willed, and who has talents or characteristics they admire, because they believe it makes them shine too. "Narcissists are drawn to those who can boost their own self-esteem and validate their sense of importance," Wasser told Insider.
What does a narcissist man want in a relationship? ›Narcissists want to have their own way. They tend to be rule-oriented and controlling. They are inflexible. It benefits narcissists to have partners who are willing to go with the flow and not make a big deal over anything, ever.
What is the behavior of a narcissist boyfriend? ›People with NPD have an inflated sense of self-importance and are prone to exaggerating achievements and expecting to be recognized as superior. “Narcissists love to constantly talk about their own accomplishments and achievements with grandiose,” says psychotherapist Jacklyn Krol, LCSW, of Mind Rejuvenation Therapy.
What does the narcissistic man like in a woman? ›In fact, narcissists are often attracted to strong, confident, and self-assured women. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is important to realize that the narcissistic traits of grandiosity and confidence are really a mask for deep insecurity.
How are narcissistic men in bed? ›Narcissists' sexual preferences are often very specific. In bed, the narcissist may have very explicit ideas about what their partner should do or even say. They want the narrative to play out in a certain way, and they don't have patience for changes to the script. This has to do with their lack of empathy.
What does a male narcissist want in bed? ›They need a lot of praise
In bed, this can sometimes translate to putting their own pleasure first. They may want you to satisfy theirneeds, and if yours don't get met, well, that's not really their concern.
They get jealous about everything
They talk a good game, but narcissists actually have very low self-esteem. Low self-worth/confidence/esteem is at the core of a narcissism. This low sense of self naturally makes it extremely easy for them to become jealous – very jealous.
What is the most important thing to a narcissist? ›
They demand respect, and give none in return. For a narcissist, their needs must always be put first, and they will never reciprocate those feelings for anyone else. The world revolves around them, and everyone who happens to be part of that world should go along with it.
How does a narcissist man end a relationship? ›At the end of a relationship, a narcissist will often spiral down a long-winded gauntlet of manipulation tactics. They may blame you for causing the relationship to fail, work hard to keep you to stay with them, make lofty promises to change their behavior, or badmouth you to everyone around them.
What are the habits of a narcissist in a relationship? ›Narcissistic partners usually have difficulty really loving someone else, because they don't truly love themselves. They are so focused on themselves that they cannot really “see” their partner as a separate person. They tend to only see the partner in terms of how they fill their needs (or fail to fill their needs).
How do narcissists show their love in a relationship? ›Signs a Narcissist Loves You
They will treat you with respect. They will listen to your feelings. They will respect your boundaries. They will take responsibility for their actions.
- overblown sense of self-importance.
- fantasies of unlimited success, brilliance, and more.
- belief that they're special and should only associate with high status people.
- need for excessive admiration.
- sense of entitlement.
- exploitation of others for their own benefit.
- lack empathy.
Narcissists view partners as trophies under their power and may expect partners to show deference and adoring behavior throughout the relationship. Manipulation of a partner is emotional abuse, and narcissists resort to some pretty low behaviors if they feel that they are losing their hold on a partner. Jealousy.
How does a narcissist seduce you? ›It's easy to be seduced by generosity, expressions of love, flattery, sex, romance, and promises of commitment. This is how narcissists manipulate you to achieve their aims. They brag about themselves in order to be admired, loved, and gratified. Codependents with low self-esteem are easy targets.
What is an example of a narcissist text message? ›In this case, you might expect examples of narcissist text messages such as “I'm in the hospital, but I'm ok now,” “I can't feel my arm, but I don't think I should worry, should I?”, “I've had some bad news, but there's nothing you can do about it.”