You recently moved to a new city and met someone that you’re starting to get feelings for. After you had the last of your furniture delivered, you start to wonder if your new fling is too good to be true. Oftentimes, narcissists are incredibly charming at the start of a relationship.
4 Common Signs of Narcissist and What to Do
Here are 4 signs you might be in a relationship with a narcissist.
1. Love Bombing
Have you ever started a new relationship and felt that it was too good to be true? Narcissists use a tactic called love bombing when they first start a new relationship. While it’s normal to be excited at the start of a relationship, love takes time to grow.
If you find that your new partner is telling you how much they love you, how they want to get married, or how they’ve been waiting for you their whole lives – it’s probably a bad sign. Narcissists use this love bombing tactic to try and reel you in quickly.
2. Gaslighting
After the relationship has been going on for a while, you may start to notice some negative differences with your partner. The second stage of a narcissistic relationship involves a term called gaslighting. Gaslighting is a psychological term used to manipulate others by making them question their own reality.
Narcissists use this psychological method in an attempt to control you. By questioning your worth, it shifts the focus from their wrongdoing to you assuming you’re the problem. This is incredibly painful and often confusing for you. You’ll find yourself doubting what you think you know.
3. Inconsistent
Actions speak louder than words. If you find that your partner never follows through with what they are saying, this is a hallmark trait of a narcissist. They want you to believe what they’re telling you, but they are unable to follow through with what they say.
This inconsistency from the narcissist creates an unsafe environment for you. If you often find yourself being let down by your partner, this is an indication you may be in a relationship with a narcissist. It’s okay if a partner sometimes doesn’t act on what they say, but if it’s a regular occurrence to feel as if you can’t count on them – it’s a bad sign for the relationship.
4. Verbal & Emotional Abuse
Narcissists are notorious for being abusive in relationships. Oftentimes, people think that abuse requires physical contact, but that is not the case. Verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse. This is why a relationship with a narcissist is so dangerous to your mental health.
Verbal and emotional abuse come in many forms. If you find that your partner constantly puts you down with what they say, either verbally or nonverbally, this is a sign you may be a narcissist. Deflecting and pulling away are common methods used by narcissists to inflict emotional abuse on their partners.
Final Thoughts
Not all toxic relationships involve a narcissist, but many of them do. It’s important that you notice the signs as soon as they start to protect yourself from the damage and abuse narcissists cause to their partners. It’s always a good idea to seek out help from a mental health professional if you feel you’re in a narcissistic relationship.
Read Also: Signs You Both Need Couple’s Counseling
