What Are the Characteristics of Narcissism?

While everyone has some characteristics of narcissism, individuals with abnormal narcissistic traits are sometimes believed to have a personality disorder. People with narcissism often have distorted views of their self-image and they often have trouble maintaining relationships with others. They often believe that they are better than other people. This often results in their inability to form close bonds with others.

Narcissism is not always considered a bad thing. The term healthy narcissism, for instance, refers to a positive, but healthy, self-image. These characteristics of narcissism can often be likened to healthy self-esteem. Someone with an unrealistic and overly positive view of himself, on the other hand, is sometimes said to have a narcissistic personality disorder.

One of the main symptoms of narcissism is an inflated ego. A narcissistic person will often believe he is better than others. He will often believe he is special, and will typically come across as arrogant.

Bragging is another one of the main characteristics of narcissism. Many times, a narcissistic person will constantly boast about his accomplishments, and he may even exaggerate them. Some narcissists may even openly claim that they are experts in certain areas.

A narcissist may also be hungry for power. While people with healthy narcissism may enjoy power every once in a while, a narcissist often craves it. He will often pursue positions of power and try to obtain them in any way possible.

Some characteristics of narcissism will affect a narcissist's relationships with other people. Although he will interact with people, he will typically never see them as equal or better than himself. In his mind, they will almost always be beneath him.

Sympathy and empathy are often foreign concepts to a narcissistic person. He is usually unable to feel for others, and he is usually unable to see things from another person's point of view. These characteristics of narcissism will usually result in very few or no close relationships.

People who see a narcissistic person for what he really is will often be shunned or even ridiculed. He may claim erroneously that they are envious of him. On the other hand, people who look up to a narcissistic person will typically be praised by him. These people will also usually help fulfill his need for praise and attention. He will often exploit these types of people, however, using them to get the things that he desperately desires.