Narcissism is more prevalent than many people realize, making it important to recognize the signs and have a plan of escape if you realize that you are in a relationship with a narcissist. Luckily, there are steps you can take to boost your safety during the separation process and effectively move on.
Roughly 1% of the population is diagnosed with NPD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, a mental condition in which individuals have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. However, some researchers think that the true number of individuals with NPD is closer to 15 or 20%.
There are five types of narcissism, each with its own characteristics. For example, a vulnerable narcissist has a victimization mindset and is often angry or sullen, whereas a grandiose narcissist leans into charisma and is often successful.
Core signs of narcissism are gaslighting, manipulation, blame-shifting, playing the victim and minimizing others’ feelings. In families, narcissism can lead to control issues, distrust and unhealthy competition.
In order to escape a narcissist, it is important to make a plan. Develop the plan slowly to avoid alerting the narcissist of any changes. As you prepare for the separation, you will want to move money to a separate account, ensure that you have copies of important documents, change your contact information and find support in family and friends that you can trust.
Narcissism can tear families apart, and sometimes separation is the only answer. By recognizing the signs of narcissism and knowing when to escape, you can put harmful relationships behind you.
