In a nutshell, a narcissist is a person who exhibits a pervasive pattern of self-centeredness, a sense of grandiosity, and an excessive need for admiration and validation from others. The term "narcissist" comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a character who fell in love with his own reflection.
Key characteristics of a narcissist include:
Grandiosity: They have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe they are unique, special, or superior to others. They often exaggerate their achievements and talents.
Need for admiration: Narcissists crave constant attention, praise, and admiration from others. They seek validation to bolster their fragile self-esteem.
Lack of empathy: They have difficulty understanding and empathizing with the emotions and experiences of others. They may disregard or belittle others' feelings and needs.
Sense of entitlement: Narcissists believe they deserve special treatment and are entitled to preferential treatment from others.
Exploitative behavior: They may exploit others to meet their own needs and goals, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of others in the process.
Envy and arrogance: Narcissists may envy others' accomplishments and feel a sense of entitlement or arrogance in their interactions with others.
Fragile self-esteem: Despite their grandiose exterior, narcissists often have a fragile sense of self-worth and can be easily wounded by criticism or perceived rejection.
Tendency for manipulation: They use various tactics, such as gaslighting, to control and manipulate others to maintain their sense of superiority and power.
It's important to note that narcissism exists on a spectrum, and not everyone who exhibits some of these traits is a clinical narcissist. However, when these traits become severe and impair a person's ability to have healthy relationships and function in society, they may be diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). NPD is a mental health condition that requires professional diagnosis and treatment.