06/02/2026
Many people will come into therapy believing they are dealing with a narcissistic person that has influenced or caused some levels of damage to them. This could be from wthin a personal relationship with a partner, parent or other.
So lets look at what it means to have experienced this relational attachment.
What is a Narcissist?
Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by a need for admiration, attention and control. Narcissism can include traits to pathalogical levels- such as NPD Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Someone with NPD may posess an unreasonable high sense of their own importance almost superior, which would activate them to become hypervigilant to threats to their authority and a need to control others. All these traits could be damaging to the psychological well-being of individuals on the recieving end.
The DSM diagnostic manual of mental disorders(DSM 5) an individual must meet at least 5 of the following.
1) Grandiosity
2) Lack of empathy
3) Believe they are superior
4) Require excessive amounts of attention
5) Taking advantage of others
6) Believe people are envious of them
6) Show arrogant behaviour.
There is a level of Narcissism in all humans, especially as children.
Displays of persistent, excessive sense of entitlement or lack of empathy with a need for admiration and outbursts of behaviour.
These are normal developmental stages but persistent harmful patterns can indicate emerging issues. Narcissitic behaviour is ofter learned from being raised by a narcissistic parent or it may develop as a defence mechanism against deep seated insecurities, shame, or lack of genuine affection.
Usually it is something we learn to manage and grow from with guidance and support from care givers. Unless the care giving enforces the narcissistic behaviour.
Learning how to counteract, regulate, relate and respond to these traits in others is possible with knowledge and personal growth you can gain within therapy. Alongside skills to manage your communications and knowledge of how to protect your boundaries which then enforces self-worth, offering a protective foundation of empowerment.