Narcissism

Who does that remind you of? Me either. I can’t think of even one person like this.

The Need To Be Controlling

“Considering narcissists tend to be continually disappointed when life unfolds imperfectly and not the way they want it to, they want to do as much as possible to control any situation life throws at them and mold it to their liking. Not only do narcissists want to be in control but they tend to demand to be in control of things as their strong sense of entitlement makes it appear to be logical that they should be in control of everything and everyone around them. For instance, narcissists tend to have a storyline in mind for each individual or ‘character’ in their life when it comes to what others say and do.

But, when others do not behave the way the narcissist wants them to, they become unsettled and easily upset as they do not know what to expect next as others and things are not going according to their plan. A textbook narcissist demands others say or do whatever they want so they can reach their delusional goals, as other people are simply characters in their play, as they often will not consider others a real human being with thoughts and feelings. Be mindful of this when dealing with a narcissist, as it will make handling their controlling nature easier!”

This is getting boring. We should probably go back to talking politics. A much more popular way to view the world and events as they unfold.

I feel a little narcissism sneaking out. :face_with_thermometer:
Can you believe we are only half way through these points.

They Strive For Perfection

“In relation to their controlling personality, a narcissist often has an extremely high need and expectation for everything in their life, from work to people, to be perfect. They believe they should be perfect in all aspects, and as a result of these high expectations, they want those in their lives to be perfect, and events should happen as expected, with life perfectly unfolding for them. Unfortunately, life does not happen that way. Not only is this an inconceivable and impossible demand, these expectations often leave a narcissist feeling dissatisfied and miserable majority of the time. This often results in them becoming irritable and constantly complaining about their woes rather than coping with the unexpected and putting a positive spin on life as they lack the mental capacity and tools to do so as those who do not have this disorder do.”

Oh Lord’ I pray for perfection so this must not be me. It might be Hubby though. He’s a perfectionist. He does everything methodically.

They Lack Accountability And Blame Others

“A classic sign of narcissism and probably one of the most difficult to deal with is a narcissist’s lack of accountability and how they blame others for their problems or faults. Although a narcissist generally wants to be in control, ironically, they never want the responsibility that comes with this role, the results and consequences for their actions, unless, of course, everything goes their way. However, when things do not go according to their plan or they feel criticized, a narcissist will place the responsibility and blame on others who are involved, as it always has to be someone else’s fault when things are not perfect. In some situations, the blame is generalized, such as all bosses, teachers, coworkers, friends, family, politicians and professionals, and so on, are to blame.

In other cases, the narcissist may specifically target an individual or rule to blame for their faults rather than owning up to their mistake and correcting it. Sadly, most often a narcissist will target and blame the individual closest to them; the most emotionally attached, the most loyal, and loving person in their life, most often their significant other, best friend, or parent. Again, to maintain this facade of perfection, a narcissist will always have to blame others or things for their mistakes, and often those closest to them are the easiest to blame because they are the least likely to reject or leave them. Stand your ground and hold them accountable, as not only is it the right thing to do, but the only way for you to come out of a potentially messy situation unscathed.”

This is probably me. I’m thinking I should blame God.

They Lack Boundaries

“Another classic sign that is easily spottable is narcissists tend to lack boundaries with anyone in their lives as they cannot accurately see where they end and where another individual begins. For instance, they believe everything belongs to them, everyone thinks, feels, and acts as they do, and everyone has similar goals as they do, which is all not true. Essentially, they do not share and do not know how to as their perspective in this respect, is incredibly similar to a toddler. Everyone is different and will act, say, and feel what is true to them. Hence, a narcissist is shocked and highly insulted when they are told no or to do something that does not line up with their desires. If a narcissist wants something from someone, they will go to great lengths to figure out and conjure up a plan to get it with manipulation tactics, threats, or simply a temper tantrum. When a narcissist begins to overstep their boundaries, again, stand your ground and keep them in their place by expressing your needs and not letting them get away with their selfish behavior.”

I’ve crossed a lot of boundaries in my life. I own this one.

Expect Attention And Validation

“One of the classic signs of a narcissist is they expect attention and validation. It’s important to note wanting or expecting validation isn’t necessarily an automatic sign of narcissism. In fact, it’s healthy to expect others will offer support and validation when it’s needed. The problem is when this goes to an unhealthy level. For example, an individual expecting constant attention from those who aren’t close to them is sometimes a sign of entitlement. In addition, it’s not healthy to expect individuals to provide attention at the cost of their own well-being, or to expect attention without providing any reciprocal support. Humans need validation and attention to thrive, but narcissists tend to expect it because they believe they’re entitled to the energy of others. They may become agitated when they aren’t shown attention, and they may refuse to accept contradicting points of view or potential conflict.”

Yes. This is definitely me. Right now I just want you all to fall down and obey my every command. That’s how it works. Isn’t it? It’s not? Oh no. I’m living in a fantasy world where I thought I controlled everything and I was superior to everyone. This comes as a shock. :flushed:
I truly had no idea I was a narcissist but Reg did say so. How embarrassing for me. I don’t even want to look at the next point.

Driven By Hidden Fears

“A narcissist will often be driven by hidden fears. Though they may seem self-obsessed and entitled, these behaviors can often hide a deep sense of insecurity and lack of satisfaction. It’s important to remember narcissistic personality disorder causes deep distress to the individual who has it as well as those surrounding them. Narcissists may have deep-seated fears of being abandoned or rejected, which are often informed by experiences they’ve had with others. They may be afraid of being proved wrong or having to acknowledge their own flaws. Their seeming sense of self-importance might be a defense mechanism to keep them from needing to acknowledge their own imperfections.”

This is a very therapeutic. I really feel that I’m getting in touch with my true self.

Unable to Truly Be Vulnerable

“A narcissist is often unable to truly be vulnerable, which can lead to serious problems with emotional intimacy. Narcissists may view vulnerability as a form of weakness, or they may be afraid vulnerability will cause them to be abandoned or hurt. Some narcissists may also dislike vulnerability in others and be unable to show emotional support. This can also make it difficult for narcissists to seek treatment. They’re unlikely to express they’re experiencing true distress in their day-to-day lives, since this opens them to vulnerability. Instead, they might throw shallow temper tantrums when they don’t get the attention they’re looking for.”

Okay. I’m going to try really hard to not throw any more temper tantrums. It’s the Irish in me. I can’t help it but I will pay closer attention to it.

Talks Over And Interrupts Others

“One classic sign of a narcissist is an individual who talks over and interrupts others. You might encounter these behaviors in close familial and romantic relationships, friendships, or work relationships. A narcissist will often interrupt others or talk over them because they don’t consider the input of others valuable. They struggle to listen to what others are saying, especially if it conflicts with their own opinions or views. Another element contributing to this is a sense of attention-seeking. Narcissists may interrupt others because they believe their own voice and point of view is more important. They want to be the center of attention and to be acknowledged, rather than waiting for their turn to speak.”

I guess I own this one too. Looking back, I thought others were speaking some other weird language I just didn’t understand. Equally as embarrassing as having to confess that I’m a narcissist.