What Narcissists do

The intricately woven tapestry of narcissism unfurls itself through a spectrum of behavioural manifestations and distinctive traits that etch the contours of a unique psychological terrain. Within its domain, a fascinating confluence of behaviours and attributes coalesce to depict the enigmatic nature of those ensnared within its grasp. So, let us delve into the profound intricacies of what narcissists do, unfurling a mosaic of insights into their intricate psyche.

1. Grandiosity: Central to the narcissistic disposition is an unwavering adherence to a perception of self that transcends the boundaries of mere confidence. These individuals, ensnared by their own narrative, are plagued by an exaggerated sense of their own significance, which is driven by egocentricities. Thus, they weave tales that meticulously inflate their role and worth on the loom of perception.
2. Need for Admiration: The narcissist’s existence is a relentless quest for a chorus of adulation and approval. Their lives become a ceaseless endeavour to cast themselves in the spotlight, to bask in the warmth of external validation. A hunger, incessant and voracious, drives them towards a perpetual search for affirmation to mend the fragile fabric of their self-regard.
3. Lack of Empathy: A peculiar facet of this psychological symphony is the discordance of empathy – a fundamental human tether often severed in the narcissistic psyche. Their ability to comprehend the emotional landscapes of others remains enshrouded, hidden behind a veil of self-absorption. The nuanced chords of others’ feelings find no resonance within their consciousness.
4. Exploitation of Others: In the intricate dance of human relationships, the narcissist dons the mask of a puppeteer, manipulating the strings of others’ lives to orchestrate their own desires. This manipulation is a means to an end, a calculated stratagem to advance their own agenda while disregarding the inherent autonomy of those they ensnare.
5. Sense of Entitlement: As if ordained by some cosmic design, the narcissist harbours an unwavering conviction of their entitlement to preferential treatment and privileges. Their existence unfolds as a saga of expectations, replete with demands that are both audacious and insistent. Such expectations, they believe, are as immutable as the stars.
6. Arrogance and Superiority: Within the kaleidoscope of their perception, they position themselves upon a pedestal, a perch from which they survey the world with an air of unassailable superiority. Condescension courses through their interactions, and they cast aspersions on those who fail to meet their imagined standards. The tapestry of their interactions is woven with threads of belittlement and disdain.
7. Lack of Accountability: When faced with the mirror of their own actions, narcissists adeptly sidestep the shards of responsibility. Rather than owning their transgressions, they dexterously deflect blame, casting it upon unsuspecting shoulders. Excuses are artfully spun, a veil to shield their self-image from the erosive tendrils of culpability.
8. Manipulative Behaviour: In the distorted realm of their own consciousness, the narcissist wills manipulation with an artisan’s touch. Subtle and insidious, they employ stratagems such as gaslighting to bend reality to their whims. Facts are malleable, and they deftly sculpt a narrative that serves their desires.
9. Intense Envy and Jealousy: Beneath the veneer of grandeur or a nonchalant exterior simmers a cauldron of envy, stoked by the achievements, and recognition bestowed upon others. Their own accomplishments are measured not by intrinsic merit but by their standing in relation to others. Envy’s flames will attempt to undermine or subvert those who eclipse the narcissist’s self-proclaimed greatness.
10. Fragile Self-Esteem: Behind the façade of grandiosity or the easy-going exterior lies a labyrinth of inner turmoil and conflict, a repository of insecurities that are kept hidden in the shadows. Their seemingly unassailable self-assurance is but a mirage, masking a fragile core that trembles in the absence of external validation, a validation that becomes their lifeblood and purpose.

It is vital to recognise that not all who traverse the contours of this narcissistic terrain are ensnared within the clutches of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This diagnostic requires the discerning gaze of mental health professionals, whose calibrated insights provide accuracy within the process of diagnosis.