A narcissistic person is someone who exhibits an excessive sense of self- importance, a strong need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. This behavior can range from normal self-centeredness to a more severe condition known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent and maladaptive narcissistic traits causing significant problems in relationships, work, and social functioning
. Key characteristics of a narcissistic person, especially those with NPD, include:
- An unreasonably high sense of their own importance and entitlement to special treatment
- A preoccupation with fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty, or the perfect mate
- Belief that they are superior to others and should only associate with equally special or high-status people
- Exploiting others to achieve their own goals without regard for others' feelings or needs
- A lack of empathy and difficulty recognizing or caring about the feelings of others
- Sensitivity to criticism, often reacting with anger, impatience, or social withdrawal when challenged or criticized
- Arrogant behavior, bragging, and insistence on having the best of everything
- Envy of others or belief that others are envious of them
While many people may show some narcissistic traits occasionally, narcissistic personality disorder is diagnosed when these traits are inflexible, persistent, and cause significant distress or impairment in functioning
. People with NPD often have troubled relationships and may appear charming initially but struggle with empathy and maintaining healthy connections
. In summary, a narcissistic person is characterized by grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, which can manifest in problematic behaviors and difficulties in social and personal life, especially when these traits reach the level of a personality disorder
