Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Symptoms and Impact

What is narcissistic personality disorder?

A narcissistic personality may be the second- or third-most difficult personality type to marry, after antisocial and paranoid personalities. Life with a narcissistic person is extremely difficult because they are highly critical and blaming and never imagine that they have any shortcomings. The problem is that a wife or husband whose partner is narcissistic often submits to this authority and becomes dependent and submissive.

The best partner for a narcissistic personality is therefore another narcissistic person, as only the two of them can understand and tolerate one another. In addition, narcissistic people always seek to be important and prominent and want their spouse and children to be the same. They like to boast about the prestigious status of their life partner and children.

A narcissistic personality does indeed pursue the highest ranks, positions, and awards, allowing both partners to boast about one another. It is important to note that the worst personality type to marry a narcissist is the dependent personality type, as well as the 

avoidant personality

, as a narcissistic personality crushes such people underfoot. Narcissistic people are usually among those who do not seek psycho

logical treatment

, because they never believe they have a problem; in their view, the problem lies with everyone in the world except them.

The central feature of narcissistic personality disorder is excessive self-admiration and dissatisfaction with others, particularly a spouse and children. Its prevalence is equal among men and women, and one view holds that it has increased or become an epidemic in the age of social media.

Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder

• Being deeply absorbed in one's own affairs.
•  For example, showing excessive concern with appearance and spending large amounts on international brands.
• Affected or contrived calmness.
•  They display a high degree of social adjustment that conceals a deep distortion in their inner relationships with others. At first glance, they appear wise and knowledgeable, but they behave very differently at home and around other people: outside the home they are wise and calm, while at home they are a volcano of resentment, dissatisfaction, and anger.
• Excessive ambition, at any cost, to always appear accomplished.
•  They seek state and international awards and may sacrifice everything, even their children and family, to reach the highest ranks. Self-development advocates can inflame and direct this desire. Before such advocates appeared, sacrificing one's children for achievement was considered negative; after their appearance, it became acceptable.
• A sense of grandiosity and superiority over all people.
•  This is sometimes accompanied by intense feelings of inadequacy if the disorder resulted from a harsh upbringing. If it resulted from excessive pampering, they usually do not feel inadequate. 
• Heavy reliance on external admiration and applause, as they are desperate to remain the number-one person on everyone's lips.

• Feelings of boredom, distress, and emptiness.

• A constant desire to pursue brilliance, power, and beauty in order to satisfy the wish to be the center of the universe.

• An inability to love and empathize with others.
•  A narcissistic wife is therefore always dissatisfied with her husband and does not feel the pain her words cause him. Likewise, a husband with narcissistic personality disorder always feels that his wife does not appreciate or understand him or give him what he needs, without being able to notice his partner's feelings and needs.
• One of the contradictions in this personality is chronic uncertainty and inner dissatisfaction with oneself, alongside an outward sense of satisfaction and superiority before others.

• Exploiting others and showing them no mercy, even when they are one's own children.
•  A narcissistic mother or father cares about their children's excellence only so they can boast before others and use their success for pride and self-glorification. They therefore cannot tolerate children who are not outstanding..
• They are among the personality types that experience severe and chronic envy, and they defend this envy by saying that an envious person has every right to envy them.

• Belittling others, believing in one's absolute power, and viewing others as inferior.

How does a narcissistic personality destroy other people's character and lives?

1. Through harsh and scathing criticism of a person's character, appearance, body, and lifestyle, making that person constantly feel inadequate, weak, and unsuccessful.
2. Nothing pleases them, so others—especially their children—never receive a word of admiration or appreciation from them.
3. They exaggerate when displaying their achievements, talents, wealth, or their children's achievements or beauty, making others feel constant anguish.
4. They exploit others and press on their weaknesses to keep them constantly in their service. They do not give others independence, whether the person is a husband, wife, child, brother, or sister.
5. They cannot tolerate criticism, complaints, suggestions, or even a simple request to change their behavior, no matter how hurtful that behavior is to the other person.

In summary, a relationship with someone who has narcissistic personality disorder can be classified as toxic, and caution is necessary when dealing with it. The first solution that comes to mind, and that we recommend when dealing with them, is to distance yourself. If you have no choice but to interact and live with them, we recommend the following.

How do I deal with a narcissistic person?

1. Recognize that the person you are dealing with has narcissistic personality disorder.
2. Understand the importance of avoiding any negative and toxic effect caused by the narcissistic person's behavior.
3. When dealing with a narcissistic person, we recommend having clear boundaries and making sure they understand them.
4. Remain firm about these boundaries and do not allow the person to cross them.
5. Do not ignore their harmful attitudes and behavior toward you. Tell them clearly and directly that these things upset you.
6. Whenever the situation with them becomes too much for you, seek help and remember that you are right.
7. Do not give them the opportunity to undermine your psychological comfort. In other words, do not allow their behavior to defeat you.