6) They manipulate your perception of reality by gaslighting you

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse often associated with narcissism. Those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are known to fabricate falsehoods, level baseless accusations, twist facts and ultimately warp your perception of reality, especially in response to perceived challenges to their authority or fear of abandonment.

Here are some signs of gaslighting:

• You experience a significant change in your sense of identity.
• You feel increasingly anxious, and your self-confidence has diminished.
• You frequently second-guess yourself and wonder if you’re being overly sensitive.
• You believe that your actions are always wrong, regardless of the situation.
• You tend to blame yourself if things go south, even if you’re not at fault.
• You find yourself apologizing frequently, sometimes for things that aren’t your fault.
• You sense something is amiss, but you can’t quite focus on what it is.
• You often question whether your reactions to your partner’s behavior are appropriate or justified.
• You make excuses for your partner’s behavior, even when it’s harmful or hurtful to you.

According to Peykar, narcissists resort to gaslighting to cause self-doubt in others and assert their superiority. Their self-esteem is boosted by adoration, and thus they resort to manipulation techniques to coerce you into worshiping them.

7) They hold onto their opinions tightly and rarely apologize for their mistakes

Individuals diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are often characterized as exhibiting arrogance and haughtiness in their behavior and attitudes, making engaging in conflicts with them incredibly difficult. According to Tawwab, attempts to debate or find common ground with a narcissist are futile, as they always believe they are right and will view disagreements as an opportunity to impart their supposed truth upon you.

In romantic relationships, Peykar suggests that if your partner consistently fails to listen to you, comprehend your perspective, accept responsibility for their role in conflicts, or make an effort to reach a compromise, they may be a narcissist.

8) When you finally express your desire to end the relationship, they may react with hostility

Individuals diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are inherently susceptible to feelings of humiliation and shame, often reacting with aggression toward others when their self-esteem is threatened. If you declare your intention to terminate a relationship with them, they may make it their mission to cause you harm as retribution for “abandoning” them.

This is due to their fragile ego, which becomes deeply wounded and results in feelings of intense anger and animosity towards anyone perceived to have “wronged” them. They tend to place blame on others for all their problems, including the dissolution of a relationship.

OK, so you’re dating a narcissist — now what?

If you find yourself in a relationship with a person who has NPD, chances are you’ve already endured a fair amount of emotional turmoil. This constant cycle of criticism, belittlement, gaslighting, and emotional unavailability can leave you feeling drained and hollow. “Trying to change a narcissistic individual or appease them by bending to their every whim is futile,” advises Grace. “Their lack of empathy and inability to connect with you on a deeper level means that you will always be left feeling unfulfilled and emotionally starved after interacting with them.”

The problem, she notes, is that a narcissist can never be content with what they have or what they’re given. “Nothing is ever enough for them because deep down, they don’t believe they’re enough,” she adds. This means you can never truly satisfy or be enough for them, no matter how much love or effort you put into the relationship.

According to Grace, the best course of action is to cut all ties with them. “Don’t offer any explanations or give them any chances to change. Just end it and move on,” she advises. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a person with NPD is likely to try and make contact with you even after you’ve broken up with them. To avoid being sucked back into the cycle, Krol suggests taking measures such as blocking their phone number or social media profiles.

Ultimately, if you’re dating a narcissist, it’s important to remember that their behavior and attitude are rooted in deep-seated feelings of insecurity. Understanding this is the first step towards recovery, as it allows you to move on without any lingering guilt or sense of responsibility for their actions. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself from further harm and begin healing.

[adinserter block=”4″]