Loving a narcissist is a major challenge. Relationships require expert navigation to succeed, and loving a narcissist requires strong will and self awareness to survive.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance as well as a strong need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) believe that they’re superior to others and have little regard for other people’s feelings. However behind the facade of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that is vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
“But enough about me, how do you feel about me?” — this would typically be what a narcissist would think or say! It’s all about them. If your partner always wants attention and admiration, he or she may be a narcissist. If someone is easily slighted or over-reactive to criticism, they may also be a narcissist. If they feel they are always right, that they know more, or that they have to be the best, etc., these are also signs of narcissism. Narcissistic individuals may only appear to care about you when you are fulfilling their needs or serving a purpose for them. A narcissistic relationship can lead to a lot of emotional distress.
Around 1% of the population suffer from narcissistic personality disorder.