How Dating a Narcissist Changes You – Understanding Narcissism

By Johan Froentjes
February 6, 2023

How does dating a narcissist affect you?

People who are close to someone who has narcissism may experience severe adverse effects as a result of the personality disorder. Narcissists are endearing and confident but also in charge, selfish, and cunning. It can be challenging to date a narcissist, leaving you feeling drained and irrelevant. The good news is that you may learn to recover from the trauma and reclaim your sense of self if you know what to look for and seek help.

Understanding Narcissism

Narcissism is not all that uncommon. According to research from DSM-5, approximately 6% of the general population is estimated to have a narcissistic personality disorder.

A great sense of self-importance highlights narcissism, a lack of empathy for others, and an intense craving for praise and acceptance are all traits of the personality disorder narcissism. Narcissists think they are better than everyone else and deserve special attention. They need people to notice and adore them, and they constantly fantasize about becoming assertive, prosperous, and gorgeous.

Narcissistic individuals often engage in manipulative behavior, such as playing the victim or using the silent treatment, to control others. – Dr. Brent Bradley

Despite having a confident demeanor, narcissists usually struggle with insecurity and low self-worth. They often look down on or criticize people who don’t live up to their high expectations and utilize their charm and charisma to acquire what they want from others. They frequently make their partners feel guilty or accountable for their difficulties, and they can be dictatorial and demanding in relationships.

What Takes Place When You Date a Narcissist?

Your self-esteem may suffer, and you may feel inadequate if you date a narcissist. Narcissists usually make their spouses feel insufficient or unworthy through criticism and dismissal. Additionally, they may be abusive and controlling, utilizing guilt, deceit, and humiliation to keep control and authority over their partner.

These activities might make you feel worn out, despairing, and alone. You may start to doubt yourself and feel inadequate. Additionally, you can struggle with concerns like despair, anxiety, and aggression. In the future, it can be challenging for you to build solid relationships or trust others.

In addition, malignant narcissists use manipulation tactics to get their desired attention. One of the most common narcissistic traits is using lousy behavior to manifest awareness.

Narcissism is often driven by childhood trauma, such as feelings of inadequacy or neglect. – Dr. Karyl McBride

Early Warning Signs Recognition

Recognizing the early warning signs is essential to avoid the drawbacks of dating a narcissist. Some common indications that a partner is narcissistic include the following:

They are too self-important to be concerned about other people.
a preoccupation with delusions of strength, achievement, and beauty to gain acceptance and
demanding and inflexible behavior
People who fall short of these standards are either rejected or disparaged.
A propensity to blame or place blame on their partner for their issues.

Narcissists are master manipulators and can be very charming, making them difficult to spot. – Dr. Ramani Durvasula

You should consult a mental health expert if you suspect your companion to be a narcissist. You can learn how the relationship functions and how to move on and heal with the aid of a therapist.

A Narcissistic Relationship: How to Get Over It

Ending a narcissistic relationship can be complex and protracted, but it is achievable. The first step is to speak with a mental health expert who can assist and direct you. Joining a support group can allow you to connect with others who have experienced similar issues.

Additionally, it’s critical to work on regaining your self-confidence and self-worth. This could be engaging in activities you enjoy, associating with uplifting and helpful individuals, and establishing boundaries with others.

Finally, putting the past out of your mind and focusing on the present and future is critical. Although you cannot change the past, you can alter your perception of it. By focusing on your recovery and development, you can begin to mend your relationship with love.

How to Deal With a Narcissistic Partner

Having a narcissistic partner can be extremely stressful and draining on your emotions. A narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an exaggerated sense of one’s importance, a strong desire for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. These characteristics typically manifest in abusive behaviors in romantic relationships, such as manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, and a sense of entitlement.

To help you get through a relationship with a narcissist and improve your chances of entering into wholesome, healthier relationships in the future, follow these steps:

Recognize the signs of narcissism and how to identify them.

Recognizing the distinctive characteristics and behaviors associated with this condition is the first step in managing a relationship with a narcissist. Some examples include lacking empathy for others, needing always to be the center of attention, having a strong sense of entitlement, and employing deceitful tactics like the silent treatment to achieve what you want.

Set clear and healthy boundaries.

Setting clear boundaries is especially crucial when you’re with someone who is highly self-centered. This entails developing the ability to decline unreasonable requests, refrain from continuously abusing or controlling oneself, and prioritize your needs.

Some issues require resolution.

A victim of narcissistic abuse may permanently lose their sense of self and their capacity to trust others. After being in a narcissistic relationship, you may have trust issues that need to be resolved if you want to be prepared for a healthy relationship in the future.

For assistance, consult a mental health professional.

Get help immediately if you’ve ever been in a narcissistic relationship. You can set appropriate boundaries, recover from abuse trauma, and resolve any trust issues by seeking the assistance of a mental health expert. In future relationships, they can assist you in identifying narcissistic behavior and avoiding it.

Learn about narcissistic abuse.

You may be able to deal with the past and make plans for the future if you understand narcissistic abuse and how it affects you. Using this information, you can avoid dating persons who exhibit narcissistic qualities in the future.

According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, individuals who score high in measures of narcissistic traits tend to have lower levels of emotional intelligence and more difficulty forming healthy relationships.

Create a solid support system for yourself.

When you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, having a solid support system of friends and family can be pretty beneficial. This network can help you establish appropriate boundaries, improve your emotional well-being, and provide a secure setting to discuss any issues that may arise.

Conversely, conversing with a narcissistic partner can be difficult and emotionally taxing. However, by identifying selfish behaviors and traits, establishing healthy boundaries, resolving trust issues, seeking professional mental health assistance, learning about narcissistic abuse, and surrounding yourself with encouraging people, you can increase your chances of having a healthier and more stable relationship in the future.

In a nutshell

A person’s emotional and mental health may suffer significantly if they date a narcissist. An exaggerated feeling of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others are hallmarks of the personality disorder known as narcissism. Abuse and manipulation are symptoms of this illness. When you’re with a narcissist, you could feel inadequate, have low self-worth, and be emotionally spent.

It’s critical to recognize the telltale indications of this kind of conduct and to get professional assistance if you want to move past a negative relationship with a narcissist. Someone can heal by establishing appropriate boundaries and concentrating on their self-worth and confidence.