Am I Narcissist? Or Dating One? [Quiz]

Narcissism is not easy to approach for its confusing terminology and commonly mistaken semantics. A narcissist can be defined as an extremely self-centered person who has an exaggerated sense of self-importance. However, the term is also used about a person with a narcissistic personality disorder, which is an extension of the qualities of a narcissistic person but instead profoundly rooted in their psyche.

It is a mental illness that affects many people unknowingly, as well as those around them, including their partners.

Learning More about Narcissists

Not all those who have narcissistic traits are narcissists. Think of it more like a spectrum. Mild being someone who appears as though they believe they are superior to others, to more severe being someone who uses the gaslighting technique to lie and control others.

Can Narcissism be Diagnosed?

A medical diagnosis from a mental health professional is required to determine if someone falls on the severe end of narcissism with a personality disorder. There is also recognition of the irregularities with this type of psyche in holistic medicine, where narcissism is referred to as a response to trauma as opposed to a disorder.

How to Spot One?

However, there are a few signs that make it possible to clue in on whether the person you’re dating could have some defining traits of narcissism. You may even recognize them in yourself.

If either of these is the case, we’re here to tell you that recognizing this is not something to be ashamed of. Being mentally healthy is not the absence of struggle, but rather the ability to cope with it effectively. The first step is to knowledge it.