Hi there,
The word narcissist is thrown around casually, often as shorthand for anyone selfish or difficult. That overuse dilutes the concept, but it doesn’t change the fact that narcissistic personalities exist, and when you’re caught in their orbit, the consequences can be devastating.
A narcissist isn’t simply someone who takes too many selfies or enjoys being the center of attention. At its core, narcissism is a personality style marked by a profound lack of empathy, entitlement, manipulation, and an almost relentless need to dominate the narrative. Narcissistic people exploit others to maintain their fragile sense of self and will gaslight, criticize, or devalue you to keep control. The result for anyone in a relationship with them — whether romantic, familial, or professional — is emotional exhaustion, confusion, and often deep self-doubt.
So, how do you deal with a narcissist? And if you’ve been entangled with one, how do you get over it?
This is a long post, and I get into stopping the cycle of ending up with narcissists, survival tips for those of us who can’t leave, and a path to healing for those of us on the other side.