Relationships are a beautiful part of our lives. We, being a social animal, rely on, adore, and find peace in our associations. But sometimes, for a few of us, these relationships can also act oppositely, contributing to making our lives a mess. Don’t believe me?
According to stats provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, 0 to 6.2% of the community is struggling with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Moreover, among these, 50-75% of the population is male. Shocking right?
Dealing with one of those self lovers who have no empathy for others means you are in hot waters. It also indicates that the monster behind some of that disastrous kind of relationships is often narcissistic.
But what is the solution then? How will we know that we are in a relationship with a narcissist? Can a person obsessed with self-importance even love us?
Are these questions born in your mind now? Don’t worry. We have got your back.
What is Covert Narcissism?
Covert Narcissism is a less known type of Narcissism. The covert narcissist person, like the overt narcissism, is crammed with self-importance. But on the other hand, studies showed that they are low self-esteemed and sensitive. That is why they are good at masking this selfish attitude.
How Will You Know That You Are In Relationship With a Covert Narcissist?
Covert narcissists are hard to notice; that’s why before learning to deal with them, awareness is key. Thus below are general traits to spot a covert narcissist in a relationship.
- He/she craves admiration and validation from you 24/7.
- In an attempt to feel superior, they try to humiliate you or try to influence your abilities. However, compared to overt narcissists, a covert narcissist delicately achieves this purpose because they choose to look humble, introverted, and modest.
- Covert narcissists are extremely sensitive to criticism. An investigation conducted by Gordon D. Atlas and Melissa A. Them revealed that participants who scored high on covert narcissism also scored high on sensitivity to criticism.
- They can also suffer from depression and anxiety as they sense emptiness and lack of admiration, which leads to these mental conditions.
How To Make Your Relationship With A Narcissist Work?
Saying goodbye to the narcissist relationship is not an option for everyone, but making it work is also a headache. What if I tell you this is not a scenario anymore?
Below is a rundown on how you can make sure that your relationship with a narcissist is successful.
Be Prepared
If you think that I will say it will be easy, I am sorry, but you are mistaken. Being in a relationship with a narcissist will be emotionally draining, so it is wise to be prepared to make sacrifices. If you feel you can’t cope with it anymore, running is the last option left behind.
Accept Them
The second option is to accept them for who they are. Appreciate them, understand them, and change yourself the way they want you to be molded. Unfortunately, they will exploit you by making you feel awful about yourself, but if you want a healthy relationship with them, superficially agreeing with them at that time can help. While doing so, think that it is part of their personality, and they are also powerless in front of this ugly trait. It would be best if you keep believing in the law of attraction and reflect positivity.
The Takeaway
In the final analysis, a relationship with a covert narcissist can be the nastiest thing that will ever happen to you. But identifying it earliest will cause you the least damage. So collect yourself again and get ready to flaunt your perfection.
