| Relationships are difficult enough to maintain and | | | | 2. Sense of entitlement over others. Your partner may |
| remain fulfilled in - just look at the divorce rate out | | | | expect to be treated in a preferential way, and expect |
| there. With enough effort, commitment, and skill in | | | | to associate with other 'special' individuals or institutions. |
| communication, it is certainly possible to have a happy, | | | | 3. An overblown, grandiose sense of self worth. Your |
| mutually respectful and supportive relationship. But | | | | partner may make his or her accomplishments out to |
| what if there is something "off" about one of the | | | | be greater than they really are. He or she may also |
| partners? What if despite all your efforts, your partner | | | | feel and act superior to others and develop a haughty |
| continues to emotionally abuse you, cheat on you, lie to | | | | attitude. |
| you, or make you feel crazy? | | | | 4. Has no hesitation on taking advantage of others, if it |
| Unfortunately, some people are affected by a | | | | is to the narcissist's benefit. |
| personality disorder, a hard wiring of the mentality and | | | | 5. Admiration craving and acts almost as if praise is his |
| personality that can lead to destructive and confusing | | | | or her "drug." This drug is referred to as "narcissistic |
| behavior. Narcissism, which is most commonly found in | | | | supply," and it is frequently a strong motivator for |
| men, is a personality disorder that can leave the | | | | actions. Thus, the narcissist will do whatever it takes to |
| non-disordered partner bewildered and in pain over the | | | | get noticed, praised, seen as powerful, etc. |
| behavior of the narcissist. A mental health professional | | | | 6. Jealousy toward others and their accomplishments. |
| is the only person qualified to make a formal diagnosis | | | | The narcissist may actually become enraged at the |
| of narcissism, but it helps to know the signs. Here are | | | | success, and subsequent attention paid, to others. |
| 7 signs of narcissism: | | | | 7. Idealization of people and concepts. Your partner |
| 1. A lack of empathy for others. This means that a | | | | may obsess over ideals of the perfect love, beauty, or |
| narcissist cannot put him or herself in another person's | | | | power. You may be put up on a pedestal for a time, |
| shoes, and identify with their feelings and needs. Selfish | | | | then completely devalued and treated as worthless, |
| and callousness results. | | | | without much grey area in between. |