20 Characteristics of a Narcissist

Narcissistic behavior and selfishness run a close race. However, there are some distinct differences between a mere selfish individual and a person who suffers from narcissistic personality disorder.

While this isn't a life-threatening distraction, a narcissist can destroy your self-esteem, your confidence and your dreams.

They have a way of making you feel small and insignificant in comparison to them.

If you have a friend, colleague or family member that you find obnoxiously self-absorbed and you can't figure out what makes them tick, maybe this list will help.

You can also NOT feel guilty for loving this person from a distance.

20 Characteristics of a Narcissist

• Self-centered

• Like attention and praise, even when it's not about them

• They exaggerate their achievements

• Want to be seen as superior

• Choosy about picking friends, believing not everyone is worthy of their presence

• Don't respect people who are 'not on their level'

• Make good first impressions, but have difficulty maintaining long-term relationships

• Judge other people, saying they deserve what they got or they can do better

• Confused about who they are

• Pretend to be sick or in trouble to get attention

• Calculating and untrustworthy because of their suspicious nature

• Have a tendency to become clingy and needy when they find a friend who tolerates them

• Talks down to others when 'teaching' them i.e. during a class or a lecture

• Uninterested in the feelings of others

• Feel they're smart and should be in control

• Take advantage of other people

• Expect special favors

• Envious of others and believe everyone is envious of them

• Preoccupied with fantasies about brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate

• Arrogance cloaked with humility

After reading these 20 points, you can probably identify one or two narcissists from your circle of friends, family and acquaintances.

You may be wondering if you should avoid these individuals altogether. And that's something you have to decide for yourself, based on the effect they have on you.

If you feel heavy and unworthy when you're with them and even after you leave, then you should maybe love them from a distance.

There's nothing wrong with loving people from a distance. In fact, sometimes this solves a stress or health problem.

No rule is written anywhere that says you have to allow others to belittle you as though you're lacking.

I put together some links for you in case you want to know more about narcissistic personality disorder:

Mayo Clinic 

Psych Central  

Psychology Today 

Medicine Plus   

Researched and compiled by the blog author.
Copyright © 2015 by Peggy Hatchet James