If Someone Does These 6 Things Repeatedly, It Might Be Narcissism, a Psychologist Warns

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If Someone Does These 6 Things Repeatedly, It Might Be Narcissism, a Psychologist Warns originally appeared on Parade.
When someone does something that's out of character, you might raise an eyebrow, and then move on. But when a person does the same negative behavior again and again—specifically if it's selfish or self-centered—it could make you question your relationship with them, and wonder: 'Are they a narcissist?' As Dr. Michele Leno, PhD—a licensed psychologist and host of Mind Matters with Dr. Michele—puts it, narcissism involves seeing yourself in a grandiose light with everything and everyone revolving around you. So, if someone you know has narcissistic tendencies, they're more likely to exhibit certain behaviors more often. Narcissism—whether it's a toxic trait or due to a personality disorder—can make relationships with partners, family members and friends challenging to say the least. If you're noticing these six repetitive , you just might be dealing with a narcissist. Related: 6 Signs of 'Flying Monkeys' Used by Narcissists—and How To Best Respond, a Psychologist Warns
6 Repetitive Behaviors That Could Be Narcissism, According to a Psychologist
1. They focus on their needs only
Dr. Leno says that a narcissist will focus on their needs only because they have a hard time seeing anything outside of themselves as truly relevant.'Of course, they care about loved ones, but they naturally prioritize their own thoughts and feelings,' she says. 'This denotes narcissism because narcissists have low empathy and a high sense of self.' Related:
2. They subtly hint at others' flaws
If you notice that someone is constantly belittling you and always finding a way to discredit something about you or that you've done, that could be because they need to boost themselves up.'Narcissists are able to maintain their high self-importance by tearing others down,' Dr. Leno says. 'But they do so indirectly with jabs and gaslighting. This helps them stay in the 'main character' role. Such behavior is an indication of narcissism because narcissists need to feel valued, recognized and praised at all times.'
3. They criticize before complimenting
Since narcissists want to show you who's the boss of your thoughts and feelings, 'they can get in your head and they can control you,' as Dr. Leno states. 'Because narcissists often appear to have it all together, it is easy for them to gain compliance and trigger self-doubt, in the beginning at least,' she adds. Related: Does Narcissism Run In Families? A Psychologist Weighs In
4. They one-up you or grandstand
Dr. Leno says that narcissists tend to become anxious if their grandiose façade becomes too transparent. She says that although narcissists appear highly self-confident, they may actually worry about their imperfections more than they let on. 'Sometimes, the grandiose demeanor is simply an overcompensation to mask underlying self-doubt,' she says. 'This is an indication of narcissism because it involves arrogant and haughty behavior.'
5. They show coldness or indifference
Does this person typically exhibit coldness or indifference towards others' concerns? Then you might be dealing with a narcissist. 'If it does not involve them, it is not worth their mental investment,' Dr. Leno says. 'They might say something sympathetic, but it has an unsympathetic undertone. This is largely because narcissists lack empathy.'Related:
6. They minimize favors, assistance and gifts
Dr. Leno says that a narcissist might believe, 'Why should I thank you for something that you should do in the first place?' 'This is the narcissist's mindset," she explains. "Since narcissists feel entitled, they have a hard time showing genuine appreciation.' Related: Do Narcissists Genuinely Cry? A Psychologist Reveals the Surprising Truth
How To Work Through a Narcissistic Relationship
If you've determined that you're witnessing these repetitive behaviors in someone you care about, they may indeed have Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Or they might be extremely narcissistic for one reason or another. Positive change can take place in these relationships, but according to Dr. Leno, 'they must want to change.''They will only want to change if their actions disrupt their life,' she notes. 'Of course, they can self-help by incorporating tools like thought stopping and replacing the problem behavior with a more positive one. Working with a therapist, something like a coach, can be effective, since it is difficult to break habits overnight.' Dr. Leno suggests, 'Discuss how it affects you and your relationship with them. If it becomes too stressful, give yourself permission to take a break from the relationship.' Up Next:Source:
Dr. Michele Leno, PhD, a licensed psychologist and host of Mind Matters with Dr. Michele.
If Someone Does These 6 Things Repeatedly, It Might Be Narcissism, a Psychologist Warns first appeared on Parade on Jul 26, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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