Are You Dealing With A Narcissist Partner?
If you are in a relationship with a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder you may know that he or she presents a huge sense of entitlement and seeks to be admired and complimented by others. People with this personality disorder believe that they are better than everybody else, and should receive special treatment. They lack empathy and may exploit others, as they are unaware of any damage they are causing.
People with this personality disorder feed their self-esteem with the approval and praises received, so they are in constant search for admiration and tend to be hypersensitive to criticism.
If a person that you care about presents with narcissism, he or she probably makes you feel as if you were inferior to them and uses you for their own goals and purposes with no regard for your own wishes, needs or even rights. Their interpersonal relationships tend to be superficial, and only with people they believe can be of some benefit to them. They usually put others down in order to validate their own self-worth and prove that they are indeed better. However, other times, they will use praise to make others like them and use them for some personal benefit.
In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder learn how to better understand the characteristics of their behaviour that bother others and how this affects the quality of their relationships. They learn how to change their distorted beliefs so they can become better adjusted and live happier lives.
CBT teaches clients how to identify their maladaptive beliefs, can change their hurtful behaviours and regain control over their emotions.
Written by: Dr. Silvina Galperin PhD, C. Psych.
CBT Psychology for Personal Development in Vaughan, ON
