The term “critical narcissist” first came to my attention in an unremembered way, yet it illuminated a truth in my mind. It became clear to me that this term aptly described my former girlfriend. Before this realization, I perceived her merely as a person who was tough to please and constantly critical.
But once I learned about the narcissist, everything made sense. If you’re dealing with a critical narcissist, you know how difficult they can be to deal with.
They continuously belittle you and foster a feeling of incompetency. So, who is a critical narcissist? And what makes them so challenging to handle? Let’s explore.
What is a critical narcissist?
A crucial narcissist refers to someone who judges themselves and others harshly. They usually have high expectations and judge a lot. They might be very focused on being perfect and demanding, expecting others to live up to their impossible standards.
How do they behave?
The narcissistic person’s behavior in a relationship is often confusing and frustrating for their partner. Here are ten ways a critical narcissist might behave in a relationship:
1. They may frequently put down their partner and make them feel inferior.
2. The narcissist may be very demanding and expect their partner to meet all of their needs.
3. They may dismiss their partner’s feelings and needs.
4. The narcissist may criticize their partner and find fault with them.
5. They may be verbally abusive, using cruel or hurtful words to put down their partner.
6. The narcissist could be distant emotionally, not responding to their partner’s emotional needs.
7. They might refuse doing anything not benefiting them. They’ll always put themselves first.
8. The narcissist may hide things from their partner, keeping secrets they don’t want known.
9. They could be constantly negative, always finding fault in everything their partner does.
10. The narcissist may invalidate, dismissing their partner’s feelings as unimportant.
Why are they so difficult to deal with
1. They’re always right and won’t hesitate telling you so.
2. They need excessive admiration, requiring constant excessive praise.
3. They’re highly sensitive to criticism, easily hurt by it.
4. They often have an inflated self-importance sense, very arrogant and condescending.
5. They can be cold, callous, manipulative towards others.
What can you do to manage the relationship?
1. Keep expectations low, manage your own emotions.
2. Don’t take their bait, don’t argue.
3. Set boundaries, stick to them.
4. Find ways validating yourself outside their approval.
5. Seek professional help if too toxic managing alone.
Can critical narcissists change their ways?
Yes, critical narcissists can change, but a long, challenging process. They must recognize having a problem, willing seeking help.
Managing key life areas will require narcissists to significantly adjust their thought processes and actions. It’s unlikely they can accomplish these extensive modifications independently, therefore seeking professional guidance from a therapist or counselor is highly advisable.
Last words
RehumanizeFor the past few years, I’ve endured an extremely challenging situation involving a critical narcissist, undoubtedly one of life’s most arduous experiences. Although I’ve gained substantial knowledge about them, there are still moments when I feel utterly exasperated.
If you’re involved in a relationship with a critical self-centered person or work with a person showing signs of selfishness in a key role, please tell us about your experiences in the comments below. Listening to others in similar situations can offer priceless support.