10 Common behaviors of a female narcissist
She is the friend who somehow makes a group outing her own highlight reel. She is also the colleague who takes up half the time in meetings, bringing a touch of flair that passes as confidence.
Or she is the partner who spins any argument in your direction until you have to apologize to her. Narcissistic women hardly fit the stereotype of the obnoxious, boastful egotist seen in movies or reality TV.
Instead, they are more subtle, slippery, and much more complex to confront. According to PubMed Central, only about 4.8 percent of women fit the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
These women tend to disguise their grandiosity with charisma, tactical vulnerability, and manipulative emotions. The result? They use up the people around them, make others feel uncertain, and still keep everyone circling their shining light.
To learn how they work, here are 10 professional habits that show the secret rulebook of a female narcissist.
Refusing to Accept Limits
Feminist narcissists often turn your personal space into an invitation, ignoring emotional or physical boundaries. They might insist that you arrange your life around their minor crises or encroach upon every nook and cranny.
They are not ashamed to do it. When you set a healthy boundary, expect a dramatic reaction. PMC notes that female narcissists are more likely to use guilt or victim narratives to get their way, often insisting, ‘You’re just being selfish by shutting me out!’
Finding Joy in Your Discomfort
According to Science Gate, individuals with narcissistic traits often feel satisfaction from the setbacks of others. Female narcissists, in particular, may respond to others’ difficulties with criticism or smug “I knew it” remarks.
Their “advice” often comes laced with criticism, and they never miss an opportunity to bring up your past mistakes. If it seems like your struggles are serving as their source of satisfaction, you’re likely not imagining it.
Sabotaging Connections
Female narcissists are also known to sabotage their relationships with their friends and family to acquire greater power. Strategies can involve spreading rumors, making innocuous comments that create conflict.
As well as portraying your other relationships as unhealthy, so that you become even more reliant on her. She will bring drama, spin, and even pretend to be a victim so that she can remain at the center of your social universe.
Eventually, this sabotaging behavior builds up and damages your external support base, while also increasing her power in your life.
Obsessing Over Appearances and Status
Their narcissistic women have the first and foremost reputation of an image – believe in social feeds and closets that cost more money than a boutique.
Highly narcissistic women dedicate more time to their online self than the average user and complain more when postings do not garner adequate attention.
It often happens when the engagement slows down, and a sense of urgency surrounds posting updates and selfies, sometimes multiple times a day. These actions may also be an indication of insecurity and low self-esteem, but they are often hidden below the surface.
Making Everything About Herself
According to Forbes, high-narcissistic individuals interrupt others more frequently than average group members and tend to change the topic of conversation to themselves when involved in a group conversation.
A narcissist is good at making the spotlight turn in her direction–her work story becomes her monologue about an even bigger deal, and your bad day is just a prelude to her theatrical performance.
The result of this nonstop self-centeredness is that it can make friends and partners feel overlooked, unvalued, and drained. Self-promotional speeches have no end, and you keep waiting indefinitely before you get your chance to speak up.
Dodging Responsibility
It is well known that narcissists would avoid taking blame and would constantly shift the blame onto others. When you raise a point, you will likely find yourself apologizing for raising it instead of receiving actual recognition.
Standard tricks are to pretend that it is always you who picks on someone, and then quickly turn it back on you, or to spin it so that their hurt is your offense. When you find yourself in an accusation game you can never win, you are not dreaming.
Chasing Social Media Approval
Female narcissists often treat social media like a life-support system—if the “likes” slow to a trickle, brace yourself for a dramatic drop in mood. You’ll notice obsessive posting, constant monitoring of follower counts, and a general mood that fluctuates with each notification.
According to the Newport Institute, young adults are the most narcissistic age group. Not only that, but they’re also becoming more narcissistic as they become older.
Life relationships often become secondary as she replaces real-life connections with online applause, one hashtag at a time.
Lacking Genuine Empathy
Empathy can be the cement of healthy relationships. In the case of narcissists, there is little of it. Individuals with NPD lack empathy for others. The kind of sympathy you will receive is not empathy, but the superficial version of it that makes them the focus.
When you open up to them about your struggles, you should anticipate them shifting quickly back to their problems or successes.
Practically speaking, your emotions will be swept aside, turned to your disadvantage, or, at best, done justice to when there are others present to see their benevolence.
Engaging in Character Assassination
Ever noticed how some people seem to thrive on group drama, only to act completely innocent when chaos erupts? Chances are, you’re dealing with a narcissist who’s playing power games behind the scenes.
These are individuals who excel at creating disharmony and then hiding behind the scenes, pretending to be the unsuspecting victim.
Always Envious, Always Competing
Ever notice how some people can’t let you have a win without turning it into a game of “who’s the better person”? Welcome to the world of narcissistic jealousy, where everyone’s success is just another opportunity to compete.
Envy is a strong predictor of narcissism and self-efficacy, according to ResearchGate. This may manifest as downplaying your success, or even subtly turning an otherwise harmless conversation into a contest.
The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
Love is a complex, beautiful emotion that inspires profound behaviors. We express our love in various ways, some universal, while others are unique to each individual. Among these expressions, there are specific actions women often reserve for the men they deeply love.
This piece explores 15 unique gestures women make when they’re in love. From tiny, almost invisible actions to grand declarations, each tells a story of deep affection and unwavering commitment. Read on to discover these 15 things women only do with the men they love.
