Why Narcissists Act the Way They Do

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You can enjoy narcissistic symptoms when a narcissist is charming, charismatic, seductive, exciting, and engaging. But they can also act entitled, exploitative, arrogant, aggressive, cold, competitive, selfish, obnoxious, cruel, and vindictive. You can fall in love with their charming side and be destroyed by their dark side. It can be baffling, but it all makes sense when you understand what drives them. That awareness protects you from their games, lies, and manipulation.

Narcissists have an impaired, undeveloped self. They think and function differently from other people, because of the way their brain is wired, whether due to nature or nurture.

The severity of narcissism varies. Some people have more narcissistic symptoms with greater intensity, while other narcissists have fewer, milder symptoms. The following discussion thus may not apply to all narcissists to the same degree.

Narcissistic Vulnerability

Despite having seemingly strong personalities, narcissists are actually very vulnerable. Psychotherapists consider them to be “fragile.” They suffer from profound alienation, emptiness, powerlessness, and lack of meaning. Due to their extreme vulnerability, they crave power and vigilantly must control their environment, people around them, and their feelings. Displays of vulnerable feelings, such as fear, shame, or sadness are intolerable signs of weakness both in themselves and others. Their defense system manifested in their narcissistic symptoms is discussed below. It protects them but hurts other people. When they feel most insecure, they’re more malicious and the impact of their actions is irrelevant.

Narcissistic Shame

Underneath their façade is toxic shame, which may be unconscious. It accounts for most narcissistic symptoms. Shame makes narcissists feel insecure and inadequate―vulnerable feelings that they must deny to themselves and others. This is one reason that they can’t take criticism, responsibility, dissent, or negative feedback even when meant to be constructive. Instead, they demand unconditional, positive regard from others.

Arrogance

To compensate for feeling inferior, they maintain an attitude of superiority. They’re often arrogant, critical, and disdainful of other people, including entire groups they consider inferior, such as immigrants, a racial minority, a lower economic class, or people of less education. Like bullies, they put down others to raise themselves up.

Grandiosity

Their hidden shame accounts for their braggadocio and self-aggrandizement. They’re trying to convince themselves and others that they excel, that they’re uniquely special and the best, smartest, richest, most attractive, and most talented. This is also why narcissists gravitate toward celebrities and high-status people, schools, organizations, and other institutions. Being with the best convinces them they’re better than others, while internally, they’re not so sure.

Entitlement

Narcissists feel entitled to get what they want from others regardless of their behavior. Their sense of entitlement masks their inner shame and insecurity. They convince themselves that they’re superior and it follows that they deserve special treatment. For example, their time is more valuable than others, and they shouldn’t have to wait in line like the masses. There is no limit on what they might expect from others. Interpersonal relationships are a one-way street, because other people are considered inferior and not separate from them (see below). They don’t recognize their behavior as hypocritical, because they feel superior and special. Rules for other people don’t apply to them. Relatives say that entitlement is the worst narcissistic symptom to live with.

Lack of Empathy

Narcissists’ ability to respond emotionally and express appropriate care and concern is significantly impaired. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, narcissists lack empathy. They’re “unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.” (APA, 2013) Research shows that they have structural abnormalities in brain regions associated with emotional empathy. (See “How to Tell if a Narcissist Loves You.”)

They may claim they love you, but you must determine whether you feel loved by the way they treat you. Real love requires empathy, compassion, and deep knowledge of the one we care for. We show active concern for that person’s life and growth. We try to understand their experience and world view though it may differ from ours. If you haven’t experienced such genuine love or it was mixed with abuse, then you may not appreciate real love nor expect to be treated any better.

Without empathy, narcissists can be selfish, hurtful, and cold when it doesn’t serve them to be charming or cooperative. To them relationships are transactional. Rather than respond to feelings, they’re interested in getting their needs met―sometimes, even if it means exploiting others, cheating, lying, or breaking the law. Although they may feel excitement and passion in the early stages of a relationship, this is not love, but lust. They’re known for their game-playing. Sacrificing for a loved one isn’t in their playbook. Their lack of empathy also inures them to the pain that they cause others, while their cognitive, emotional intelligence gives them an edge in manipulating and exploiting others to get their needs met.

Emptiness

Narcissists lack a positive, emotional connection to themselves, making it difficult for them to emotionally connect with others. Their undeveloped self and deficient inner resources require them to be dependent on others for validation. Rather than confidence, they actually fear that they’re undesirable. They can only admire themselves as reflected in the eyes of others. Hence, despite their boasting and self-flattery, they crave attention and constant admiration. Because their sense of self is determined by what others think of them, they try to control what others think to feel better about themselves. They use relationships for self-enhancement and for their “narcissistic supply.” However, due to their inner emptiness, they’re never satisfied. Whatever you do for them is never enough to fill their emptiness. Like vampires who are dead inside, narcissists exploit and drain those around them.

Lack of Boundaries

Mythological Narcissus fell in love with his own image, as reflected in a pool of water. At first, he didn’t realize that it was himself. This metaphorically describes narcissists. Narcissists’ inner emptiness, shame, and undeveloped self make them uncertain of their boundaries. They don’t experience other people as separate individuals, but as two-dimensional, extensions of themselves, without feelings, since narcissists cannot empathize. Other people only exist to meet their needs. This explains why narcissists are selfish and oblivious to their impact on others, even when they’re cruel.

Narcissistic Defenses

It’s the defense mechanisms used by narcissists to protect their vulnerability that make relationships with narcissists so difficult. Common defenses they use are arrogance and contempt, denial, projection, aggression, and envy.

Arrogance and contempt

These defenses inflate a narcissist’s ego with an air of superiority to shield against unconscious feelings of inadequacy. It also shifts shame by projecting inferiority onto others.

Denial

Denial distorts reality so that a narcissist can live in an inflated bubble of their own fantasy world to protect their fragile ego. They distort, rationalize, twist facts, and delude themselves to avoid anything that may cause a chink in their armor, which is so thick, that to some narcissists, no amount of evidence or argument can get through.

Projection and blame

This defense enables unacceptable feelings, thoughts, or qualities to be disowned and mentally or verbally attributed to someone else. Blame shifts responsibility, so the narcissist is blameless. This defense serves the same function as denial. Projection is an unconscious process, whereby a narcissist doesn’t have to experience anything negative in him or herself, but sees it as external. Those traits are projected onto someone else or a group of people instead. You become the one who is selfish, weak, unlovable, or worthless. Projection is very crazy-making and damaging to the self-esteem of people close to a narcissist, especially children.

Aggression

Aggression is used to create safety by pushing people away. Narcissists see the world as hostile and threatening, and they move against people aggressively, both in word and behavior. This can lead to narcissistic abuse. Vindictive narcissists retaliate in order to reverse feelings of humiliation and restore their pride by defeating their offender.

Envy

Narcissists must be the best. They can’t take pleasure in someone else’s success. If someone else has what they want, it makes them feel inferior. Life is a zero-sum game. Competitive narcissists are not only envious of people who have what they want; they may react vengefully to bring them down, especially if they feel threatened. Narcissists are often envious and competitive with their children.

Understanding narcissistic symptoms and who you’re dealing with is very helpful, but finding out what you can do is more important. See my other blogs on narcissism and confronting abuse. Try the exercises and strategies in Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist, which can give you clarity and be helpful in getting your needs met and evaluating whether to stay in the relationship. Email me if you’d like to join my mailing list and receive a “Checklist of Narcissistic Behaviors.”

©Darlene Lancer 2019

 

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Rob
Rob
2 years ago

I am 65 and have only recently discovered the effect on me of the emotional abuse I suffered throughout my life at the hands of my narcissist mother/bullying father and pathologically narcissistic brother. I have recently had a mini stroke and with time on my hands and the help of a good therapist, I have managed to rid myself of the painful thought that I was responsible for my past troubled love life and the way I treated my ex partners, but I am struggling to accept my actions and the thought of the hurt I caused anyone. Any thoughts that will help my recovery would be very welcome x

Jennifer Dalton
Jennifer Dalton
4 years ago

Dear Darlene,

I just read your article on daughters of a Narcissistic Mother. I am the daughter of a narcissistic mother. I never knew it until now. My brother recently committed suicide. And other family drama have also unfolded causing my PTSD to roar it’s ugly head. Everything you said in that article is me. Also, my brother including the bizarre insest. That has been a personal and quiet family secret, never discussed, but I FINALLY understand it. I literally just read this and then your sons of narcissistic mothers. I don’t know why I researched narcissism but it is EXACTLY my family. Even down to the disconnected father. Thank you

anonymous
anonymous
4 years ago

I came across this site. I have a friend who is back in his ex-wife’s life. Though he says they are just friends, my concern is the abuse she did to him while they were married. She drank and abused her medication. She is a compulsive liar. I fear he is co-dependent and he now is allowing her manipulations back into his life. How can I help him since he doesn’t see it? She tells him she is sorry and its about kindness and forgiveness yet I see she is posting lies once again on facebook. I am just concerned for my friend to be back in an unhealthy relationship. I completely understand William B. post on this site. I hope he got out..

Darlene Lancer, LMFT
4 years ago
Reply to  anonymous

You can listen without judgment and if he complains suggest he seek counseling because he doesn’t seem to resolve the problems on his own. If he complains about substance abuse, you can let him know that there are programs for spouses in the same situation that can help, such as Al-Anon.

K
K
4 years ago

Hello

I am coming out of a toxic relationship and am left feel awful about my actions and fear I have discovered I am a narcissist. Do you offer any private sessions or a opportunity to talk outside of this chat?

Thanks

Darlene Lancer, LMFT
4 years ago
Reply to  K

It’s dangerous to self-diagnose. Counseling will help you whether or not you are, but take solace in the fact that most narcissists have no remorse. Your behavior was likely the result of trauma and inability to regulate and express you feelings assertively.

Anonymous One
Anonymous One
4 years ago

Um I believe him. He wrote an educated paragraph about the research hes done. You’re the one coming across as a narc even responding in this manner

Tracy Bomba
Tracy Bomba
5 years ago

My husband is a complete narsasist. The fact that he has posted these utter lies about me tells me what a sick individual, he is…(in) need of extensive help and he refused.

William f.Bomba jr.
William f.Bomba jr.
5 years ago

I’m starting to realize that my wife has a narcissist personality disorder. It is just too much to explain in texting ,what’s been going on and what’s happening. It’s really starting to frighten me, especially the gaslighting.The lying is so bad that she lies about the truth,she is a compulsive liar.she’s always telling me my family hates me,don’t bother calling them they don’t want to call you, want nothing to do with you. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on narcissism and I’m learning a lot.A lot of the things I been reading and reading quotes are sending chills down my spine, because it’s her. I’m extremely angry and confused, I need help

Darlene Lancer, LMFT
5 years ago

Get counseling and see my blogs on abuse and gaslighting. Practice the steps in Dealing with a Narcissist, and consider attending CoDA meetings.

Anonymous one
Anonymous one
4 years ago

Sorry to hear. Hope u got out of it, she responded here calling u a narc. Lol

C Dan
C Dan
5 years ago

How to deal with the narcissistic traits in oneself?

Darlene Lancer, LMFT
5 years ago
Reply to  C Dan

Most narcissists don’t care about changing nor looking at themselves, so don’t rush to self-judgment. Starting therapy to learn other ways to deal with your anger and become assertive instead would be helpful. Also examining childhood trauma, which is likely the cause. Look at “Conquering Shame and Codependency,” which describes your type of codependent.

Darlene Lancer, LMFT
4 years ago
Reply to  C Dan

See my article “Can Narcissism be Healthy?” NPD is treatable, but narcissistic traits aren’t always bad. Codependents need to be more narcissistic. Do get counseling and read, Conquering Shame and Codependency, which addresses both.

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