How to stop being a narcissist?

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How to stop being a narcissist?

Narcissism is characterized by traits such as an inflated sense of one’s own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism. If you’re wondering how to stop being a narcissist, it’s important to first commend yourself for taking a step towards change, which is not an easy task but is certainly a worthwhile endeavor.

Understating Narcissism

Narcissism is a term that originates from the Greek mythology of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. In modern psychology, it describes a personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, combined with a lack of empathy for others. This can manifest in highly confident, often arrogant behavior, which masks a fragile self-esteem that is vulnerable to even minor criticism.

Identifying narcissistic behaviors is an essential step for anyone before you get to know how to stop being a narcissist, whether it’s in oneself or others. Narcissism can manifest in various behaviors that impact personal relationships and professional interactions. Here’s a look at some common narcissistic behaviors:

Grandiosity and Exaggeration

One of the hallmark traits of narcissism is an inflated sense of self-importance. This might present as an individual boasting about achievements, skills, or connections, often exaggerating or fabricating these details to impress others. They may also possess a pretentious attitude, believing they are superior to others and deserve special treatment.

Constant Need for Admiration and Attention

Narcissists thrive on the attention and admiration of others. This need is so prevalent that they may become upset or significantly disheartened when they do not receive the level of praise they feel they deserve. This often leads to a pattern of manipulating situations or conversations to center around themselves.

Lack of Empathy

A critical and concerning behavior in narcissism is a notable lack of empathy. Narcissists often fail to recognize or resonate with the emotions and needs of others. They may ignore the feelings of others, especially if acknowledging these feelings does not serve their personal agenda.

Entitlement

Narcissists typically exhibit a sense of entitlement — expecting preferential treatment from others without regard for their feelings or contributions. This might include demanding immediate service, asserting unearned authority in various situations, or expecting constant concessions from others.

Interpersonal Exploitation

Closely tied to entitlement, narcissists often exploit others without guilt or remorse. They see others as tools to be used to achieve their goals, disregarding the impact of their actions on those around them. This exploitation can be emotionally, financially, or socially damaging to the victims.

Envy and Jealousy

Although they may appear supremely confident, narcissists often harbor envy towards people who they perceive as having more or being more than themselves. Conversely, they might believe that others are envious of them, further inflating their sense of superiority.

Sensitivity to Criticism

Despite their outward confidence, narcissists are extremely sensitive to criticism. They may react negatively to the slightest critiques or disagreements, often with anger or disdain. This sensitivity can also lead them to avoid situations where they might be evaluated or challenged.

Arrogant or Haughty Behaviors

Narcissistic individuals often display arrogance in their interactions. They might belittle others, use sarcasm excessively as a defensive mechanism, or carry themselves in a manner that expresses their perceived dominance over others.

Recognizing these behaviors can be helpful in how to stop being a narcissist, whether it’s seeking professional help or initiating personal self-reflection and change. Awareness and understanding are key to mitigating the impact of narcissistic traits in one’s life and relationships.

How to Stop Being a Narcissist

Realizing and admitting that you may have narcissistic tendencies is a significant first step towards personal growth and how to stop being a narcissist, . Narcissism can hinder personal relationships and create an isolating environment, even if it might feel self-protective or empowering at times. Here are some practical steps and strategies to help reduce narcissistic behaviors and develop healthier, more empathetic interactions.

1. Acknowledge the Issue

Begin by recognizing and accepting that some of your behaviors may be narcissistic. This might involve reflecting on your interactions and considering feedback from people you trust. Honest self-reflection is crucial, as it lays the foundation for all the changes you hope to make.

2. Understand the Roots of Your Behavior

Often, narcissistic behaviors stem from deep-seated fears or insecurities. Understanding these underlying issues can help in addressing your behaviors more effectively. Therapy can be incredibly beneficial in this step, providing professional guidance to explore and resolve these underlying issues.

3. Practice Empathy

Actively work on increasing your empathy. This means listening more attentively to others, imagining how they feel, and responding to their emotional needs. If connecting with others feels overwhelming, it might be helpful to find a teen therapist to develop deeper emotional awareness and social understanding. You can practice this by engaging in conversations where you focus solely on understanding the other person’s perspective without shifting the focus to yourself.

4. Set Realistic Goals for Change

Change won’t happen overnight, and it’s important to set realistic and measurable goals. For example, you might aim to engage in one genuinely empathetic conversation per day or to offer compliments to others without expecting anything in return. Small steps can lead to significant changes.

5. Learn to Accept Criticism

Part of reducing narcissistic behavior is learning to accept criticism constructively. Try to view feedback as a tool for growth rather than a personal attack. This can be practiced by asking for feedback actively and responding to it with gratitude instead of defensiveness.

6. Foster Genuine Relationships

Shift the focus of your relationships from what others can do for you to what you can share and enjoy together. Work on building connections based on mutual interest, respect, and emotional exchange. Being mindful of the balance in your relationships can help reduce narcissistic tendencies.

7. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude can counter feelings of entitlement and self-centeredness. Make it a daily habit to reflect on what you are grateful for, especially the contributions of others to your life. This can shift your focus away from a scarcity mindset, where you might feel you deserve more, to an abundance mindset, which fosters appreciation for what you already have.

8. Seek Professional Help

Therapy can be a valuable tool in working through narcissistic traits. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy can help you develop healthier thinking patterns and interpersonal skills. A therapist can also provide the accountability you need to make lasting changes.

9. Continue Self-Reflection

the last and most important task for If you’re wondering how to stop being a narcissist is Regular self-reflection is key to any long-term change. Keep assessing your behavior, acknowledging improvements, and identifying areas where you can continue to grow. This ongoing process is crucial as you work towards becoming less narcissistic.

A note from Known_Psychology

Learning how to stop being a narcissist involves continuous effort and dedication. It requires a willingness to understand the underlying issues that contribute to narcissistic behaviors and to actively work towards making a positive change. Our blog will help you by developing empathy, forming healthier relationships, and perhaps seeking professional advice, anyone can work towards overcoming narcissism and leading a more fulfilling life. And by working on these tips you will get to know how to stop being a narcissist.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

Bilotta E, et al. (2018). Symptom severity and mindreading in narcissistic personality disorder.
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Caligor E, et al. (2015). Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.
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Di Pierro R, et al. (2016). Narcissistic traits and explicit self-esteem: The moderating role of implicit self-view.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01815/full

Kacel EL, et al. (2017). Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: Case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5819598/

Ronningstam E. (2009). Narcissistic personality disorder: Facing DSM-V.
http://www.sakkyndig.com/psykologi/artvit/ronningstam2009.pdf

Ronningstam E. (2013). Fear and decision-making in narcissistic personality disorder—a link between psychoanalysis and neuroscience.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3811090/

Ronningstam E. (2017). Intersect between self-esteem and emotion regulation in narcissistic personality disorder – implications for alliance building and treatment.
https://bpded.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40479-017-0054-8

Russ E, et al. (2008). Refining the construct of narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic criteria and subtypes.
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07030376

Stinson FS, et al. (2008). Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV narcissistic personality disorder: Results from the Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.
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