What is a narcissistic man like? (12 Tips)

In this article, we answer the following question: What is a narcissistic man like? We will teach you the most important 12 signs in order to identify a narcissistic man and the importance of recognizing one.  

What is a narcissistic man like?

Narcissistic men turn their lives around their own needs and wishes. They pride themselves on how they are and can have problems with others since they believe that their personality is above that of others. 

They show self-confidence, but it is only an appearance, as they have low self-esteem and continued feelings of emptiness and loneliness. What they show to others is the facade, in order to protect themselves and project a successful image.

Narcissistic men show an idyllic appearance at first. They are outgoing and fun, with a sweet and courteous treatment. However, as the relationship deepens, their character hardens and they can become toxic people. It is this that makes, before a certain type of people, they can get to hurt.

Ego traits

In clinical psychology, “Narcissistic Disorder” would be categorized as personality alteration. This disease would present the symptoms that are commonly associated with narcissism, but in a high and pathological degree, requiring psychological and psychiatric treatment for the person’s recovery.

However, this disorder, consolidated as a disease, does not appear commonly in society. What does appear frequently are narcissistic people, those who, without reaching the category of pathology, present symptoms that hinder their relationships with others and with themselves.

What are the traits that can make us see that we are dealing with a narcissistic person?

12 traits of a narcissistic man

  1.  The first impression matters – Narcissistic people always give a good image at first. They build confidence, promote contact and are fun. As they are based on the facade, when we meet them, we will always see a good image. For example, something that they usually show in sweetness, empathy, understanding and affection. However, it disappears over time.
  1.  Superiority complex – In the face of their insecurity, they protect themselves and project an opposite image. They tend to make others see that they are perfect, that they do not make mistakes and that, therefore, they are above everything. 

They are popular, full of success and friends, and surrounded by material goods. They start from building an image based on the “I have” instead of the true “I am”.

  1. Intolerance – Their state of superiority makes them think that they have knowledge about everything. They are always right, which leads them to be highly intransigent and tough on those who do not think like them. The empathy that they have been able to show at the beginning disappears at this point.

They start from the hierarchical structure, in which they have placed themselves above, both physically, morally and intellectually. They will only show tolerance when they believe they can get something in return or when they meet people who truly think like them and are not threatening.

  1. Egocentrism – They have a conception of the world identical to that of adolescents since they think that everything is built around themselves. Therefore, they leave aside the empathy or emotions of others, since they believe that there is only what they think or feel.
  1.  Positive traits – When studying our personality, there is a general tendency to dislike ourselves, to see negative aspects or things to improve. It is a bias that appears inverted in the narcissist: he loves his personality and the social traits that are conceived as negative, he lives them as something positive.
  1. The other does not exist – The egocentric vision of the world makes the needs of others not be seen. Although it may seem like a simple lack of empathy, it really is something deeper. They do not understand that others are also in the world and that they have individual needs to meet.
  1. Fragility –  If there is one thing the narcissist is vulnerable to, it is criticism. What others think about themselves can make them feel hurt and show their vulnerability and aggressiveness.
  1. Grandiosity – Greatness is feeling superior compared to others. From a narcissist’s point of view, all his achievements and abilities are superior. In this way, he makes himself inferior to those around him. Narcissists often speak and act as if they are the most important people on planet earth.
  1. Concern for success and power – These narcissistic people have a great concern about how to achieve success in their lives. This implies that his greatest fantasies involve obtaining unlimited power and success, the brilliance of thought, and exuberant beauty.
  1. Excessive admiration – Narcissists are pretentious and therefore demand to be admired at all times and places. Therefore, narcissists expect to be cared for and admired by other people. They constantly seek to be treated in a special way by others, without worrying whether they deserve it or not.
  1. Feeling envy of others – Narcissists often have excessive envy of those people who are better than they are in certain ways. This can be open or covert envy. He also always believes that others envy him for his abilities and personal achievements.
  1. Lack of empathy – One of the most notorious characteristics of the narcissist is that he is unable to empathize with another person. It generally results in the narcissist being unable to identify with the feelings and needs of others. This generates that they are people unable to love, they have no remorse and no guilt or remorse for their negative actions.

Although the need to tend to reasonable selfishness and concern for oneself is currently recognized, narcissism is consolidated as the extreme of this, without empathy or care for others. A personality trait that leads to loneliness and that hides insecurity and low self-esteem.

Delightful, seductive, and trust inspiring. This is how narcissistic people show themselves at first, but little by little their intentions are revealed: to make them feel inferior to others.

Narcissistic personality disorder, also known as megalomania, is a pathological condition characterized by bulging self-esteem, omnipotence over other people, and lack of empathy. A narcissist believes himself better than others in all respects.

In our day today, we can run into narcissistic people who should be identified to avoid them. Forming a relationship with a narcissist at first can be a rewarding experience. However, later he reveals his true intentions to make others feel inferior and take advantage of those around him.

The importance of recognizing a narcissistic man

With these 12 signs to recognize a narcissist, you can avoid or at least deal with any kind of relationship with a narcissist.

It is of utmost importance to know how to recognize a pathological narcissist so as not to fall into his traps when establishing a relationship with him or her. By avoiding these kinds of relationships, you are avoiding being manipulated and even emotionally violated. Because these people are happy to abuse others to feel powerful.

FAQ on What is a narcissistic man like?

What are the signs of a narcissistic man?

Some of the signs and symptoms of a narcissistic man are:

– From his point of view, all his achievements and abilities are superior. 

– He is pretentious and therefore demands to be admired at all times and places. 

– He also always believes that others envy him for his abilities and personal achievements.

– He is unable to empathize with another person. 

What does a narcissist want in a relationship?

What a narcissist most wants in a relationship is a person to admire, appreciate and respect them all the time. They want to feel and be appreciated, superior – no matter the situation.

Can a narcissist love?

Narcissists are capable of love, but in most cases, they put themselves and their needs above their partner’s needs. If necessary, they can easily put aside their feelings. Now, is this love?

How does a narcissist behave?

Narcissistic people show an idyllic appearance at first. They are outgoing and fun, with a sweet and courteous treatment. However, as the relationship deepens, their character hardens and they can become toxic people. It is this that makes, before a certain type of people, they can get to hurt.

What are the 4 types of narcissism?

There are four dimensions of narcissism, known as leadership/authority, superiority/arrogance, self-absorption/self-admiration, and exploitativeness/entitlement.

Do narcissists know they are hurting you?

In most cases, no, a narcissist will not know that he/she is hurting you.  One of the most notorious characteristics of the narcissist is that he is unable to empathize with another person. It generally results in the narcissist being unable to identify with the feelings and needs of others.

Conclusions

In this article, we answered the following question: What is a narcissistic man like? We taught you the most important 12 signs in order to identify a narcissistic man and the importance of recognizing one.  

Narcissistic men show an idyllic appearance at first. They are outgoing and fun, with a sweet and courteous treatment. However, as the relationship deepens, their character hardens and they can become toxic people. It is this that makes, before a certain type of people, they can get to hurt.

With these 12 signs to recognize a narcissist, you can avoid or at least deal with any kind of relationship with a narcissist.

It is of utmost importance to know how to recognize a pathological narcissist so as not to fall into his traps when establishing a relationship with him or her. By avoiding these kinds of relationships, you are avoiding being manipulated and even emotionally violated. Because these people are happy to abuse others to feel powerful.

If you have any questions or comments, please let us know!

Further reading

Rethinking Narcissism: The Secret to Recognizing and Coping with Narcissists, by Craig Malkin

Narcissism: Denial of the True Self, by Alexander Lowen  

The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement, by Jean M Twenge

How To Kill A Narcissist: Debunking The Myth Of Narcissism And Recovering From Narcissistic Abuse, by JH Simon

POWER: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse: A Collection of Essays on Malignant Narcissism and Recovery from Emotional Abuse, by Shahida Arabi

How to Handle a Narcissist: Understanding and Dealing with a Range of Narcissistic Personalities (Narcissism Books), by Theresa Jackson

References

Mayoclinic.org – Narcissistic personality disorder

Psychcentral.com – Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Psychologytoday.com – Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Verywellmind.com – How to Recognize Someone With Covert Narcissism

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