Managing a relationship with someone who has a high personality can affect your mental health. Setting clear boundaries and relying on a support system of people you can trust are some strategies you can try.

The term is thrown around a lot. It is used to describe people who are self-centered, or who are not interested in the people around them.

Some people may have a mental health condition narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose this condition based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Some people have some characteristics of narcissism but do not qualify for a diagnosis.

Here you can learn how to deal with a person with a personality trait that is not well-suited to your life.

A person who is self-centered and short on empathy is called a narcissist.

It is important to remember that the person living with the mental health condition can face significant challenges. It can make it harder for others to maintain a relationship with the person.

Still, some people can exhibit narcissistic characteristics without being diagnosed with NPD. These might include:

  • It appears to have an inflated sense of self-importance.
  • fostering a fantasy world to boost their sense of grandeur
  • It is necessary for constant praise and admiration.
  • Having a sense of entitlement.
  • exploiting people without shame or guilt is a form of taking advantage of others.
  • Not caring about the needs of others.
  • It can be either degrading or bully others.
  • It is possible to monopolize conversations or meetings.
To make things more complicated, people with NPD or narcissistic tendencies are often very sensitive to feedback from others. They may react with rage if confronted. They can also turn angry if they feel slighted or ignored.

Here are some practical ways to deal with someone who has a personality disorder, and some tips for recognizing when it is time to move on.

People with similar mental health conditions think of a relationship as a selfish equation. It is about giving something to another person without expectation of reimbursement.

That is not usually the case with people with personality quirks. They view relationships as something that benefits them.

Indeed, people with NPD are frequently charming, magnetic, and compelling. That can make them seem irresistible, sexy even. But the truth is that people with narcissistic traits often have troubled relationships rocked by jealousy, anger, and abuse.

A person with NPD is not always capable of the reciprocity that is necessary for healthy relationships. They may try to turn their shortcomings or failures around on others. They can be volatile and sensitive in arguments. In some cases, they may also use lies or manipulation to avoid accountability.

“That can leave a partner exhausted. It is easier for people with NPD to go along with their partner’s demands and manipulation than it is to defend themselves.”

Of course, it’s important to note that not all relationships with a person who has NPD will be this troublesome. Some people can improve narcissistic tendencies and develop less one-sided relationships with treatment.

How not to deal with narcissistic tendencies

It is not very productive to speak to a person with NPD about their behaviors. They are often very resistant to change and will try to maintain the upper hand.

“It’s best to focus on your own behaviors and well-being instead of trying to fix someone with NPD. Setting boundaries and building a stronger support system for you and your partner is part of this.”

People often describe a person with a narcissistic personality as charming and likable, which may make it easy to overlook some of their other more harmful behaviors.

However, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the signs of NPD so that they are easier to recognize.

This can help you better understand the person and help you navigate any challenges that arise.

It can be the first step in learning to accept them for who they are and setting realistic expectations for your relationship.

Talk with a mental health professional or read a book. This will help you learn how to communicate with your loved one in a way that is friendly.

Building healthy self-esteem can make it much easier to handle and cope with some of the potentially harmful behaviors you may encounter when maintaining a relationship with someone with NPD.

Engaging in positive self-talk, practicing self-care, and finding a healthy support system can help you develop resilience and foster your self-esteem.

It is possible to set clear boundaries, be assertive, and advocate for yourself if you have higher self-esteem.

Picking your battles is an appropriate response to ignoring something or simply walking away.

But a lot depends on the relationship. For example, dealing with a boss, parent, or spouse may call for different strategies than dealing with a co-worker, sibling, or child.

If you feel that your boundaries have been crossed when communicating with someone with NPD, try not to react, show annoyance, or get flustered.

If you want to keep in touch with someone in your life, you have to speak up. Try to do it in a calm and gentle way.

You have to tell them how their words and conduct affect you. It may be difficult for them to understand or empathise with your feelings if you are specific and consistent about what you expect.

You may notice that your boundaries are being crossed.

Instead of trying to change someone with NPD, it’s best to set boundaries about any behaviors that are unacceptable to you and communicate them clearly to the other person.

You should make sure that you are being taken seriously by making sure that you enforce the boundaries.

For example

“It’s hard for you to back out if your co-worker is parking their big truck in a way that makes it hard for you to see it. Ask them to make sure they leave you enough space. Then, state the consequences for not respecting your wishes.”

“If you can’t back out, you’ll have their car towed. The next time it happens, follow through and call the towing company.”

Practicing skills like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation may make it easier to remain calm and avoid reacting when interacting with someone with NPD.

It is possible to be clear on your intentions or to practice what you say before asserting your boundaries.

It can help you anticipate how they will react to challenging conversations.

If you can’t avoid the person, try to build up your healthy relationships and support network of people. Spending too much time in a dysfunctional relationship with someone who has a narcissistic personality can leave you emotionally drained.

Try to nurture old friends. Get together with family more often.

“If you don’t like your social circle too large, try taking a class to explore a new hobby. You can get involved in your community or volunteer. Do something that will allow you to meet more people.”

What is a healthy relationship?

Spending a lot of time with someone who has a narcissistic personality can make it hard to remember what a healthy relationship even feels like.

Here are a few signs to look for:

  • Both people listen and try to understand each other.
  • Both people take responsibility for their mistakes.
  • Both people feel like they can relax and be themselves.

People with high personality disorders are good at making promises. They may promise to do what you want, but not to do what you hate.

They are also sincere about their promises. In some cases, these promises may be used to their own ends.

It is important to be clear about what you want, need, or expect, and to express yourself calmly and gently. Let them know that you will fulfill their requests only after you have done yours.

You should follow through and take your expectations seriously.

People with NPD frequently have other disorders such as substance use disorder or other mental health or personality disorders. Having another disorder may be what prompts someone to seek help.

It is important to remember that the symptoms of a more severe mental health issue are not indicative of a more smilng personality trait. It is possible for some people to have certain characteristics, such as delusions of grandeur or a sense of entitlement, without being the result of a more significant mental health condition.

A mental health professional can evaluate a person for random and true disorder.

Of course, even people with narcissistic traits might benefit from the help of a mental health professional. Regardless of a larger diagnosis, some traits can be detrimental to relationships, personal development, and well-being.

“While NPD is a mental health condition, it doesn’t excuse harmful or abusive behavior.”

Managing a relationship with someone who is a bad person can affect your mental and physical health.

If you have symptoms of anxiety, depression, or unexplained physical ailments, or you feel impacted by a relationship with a challenging person, see a primary care doctor first. Once you have a checkup, you can ask for referrals to other services, such as mental health professionals and support groups.

Call your support system into service if you want to reach out to family and friends. There is no need to go it alone.

Some people with narcissistic personalities can also be verbally or emotionally abusive.

Here are some signs of an abusive relationship:
  • Name-calling.
  • Public humiliation, patronizing.
  • threatening
  • There are accusations of jealousy.

Other warning signs to watch for in the other person include:

  • You are blamed for everything that goes wrong.
  • Monitoring your movements is a possibility.
  • Tell me how you feel.
  • They project their weaknesses onto you.
  • denying things that are obvious to you or attempting to gaslight you
  • trivializing your needs and opinions.

At what point should we throw in the towel? Every relationship has ups and downs.

It is best to leave the relationship if this is true.

  • You are being abused.
  • you feel manipulated and controlled
  • You have been abused or threatened.
  • You feel isolated.
  • “The person with a personality disorder won’t get help for their mental illness.”
  • Your mental or physical health has been affected.

Get help

If you fear the other person, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, which provides 24/7 access to service providers and shelters across the United States.

It might be helpful to talk with a professional as you come to terms with your decision to leave the relationship.

These mental health resources can help you find an appropriate mental health professional:

If you think you are in danger, call the emergency services and get out of the way.

What should you not say to a narcissist?

People with narcissistic personalities can be hypersensitive to criticism and may react with hostility, rage, or aggression if confronted.

It is important to set boundaries and communicate clearly, but calling them a liar or expecting them to change is not likely to help.

Can narcissistic personality be corrected?

Narcissistic tendencies can improve with treatment, though this requires a lot of time, effort, and patience.

It is important to set realistic expectations and healthy boundaries if you decide to maintain a relationship with someone with NPD.

What are the four types of narcissism?

There are two main NPD types: Grandiose (overt) narcissism and vulnerable (covert) narcissism. While grandiose narcissism is often characterized by exaggerated self-worth and a need for admiration, people with vulnerable narcissism instead experience feelings of self-consciousness and insecurity.

There are also several other subtypes, including antagonistic narcissism, which is characterized by aggressiveness and feelings of entitlement, and communal narcissism, a type in which people tend to seek admiration for being altruistic or benevolent.

Building and maintaining healthy relationships can be difficult due to the mental health condition, NPD.

Setting clear boundaries, building a strong support system, and practicing skills to keep calm and respond appropriately are some of the things that can be helpful in navigating a relationship with a person with NPD.

It is important to know when you need help and when it is time to leave the relationship.