7 Signs Of A Female Narcissist

What exactly is a narcissist, and how can you spot the one hiding in plain sight?

At a textbook level, narcissism is just a personality disorder that includes 3 main characteristics:

1. An inflated sense of self-importance

2. A lack of empathy

3. A strong need for admiration.

While those don’t seem all too terrible individually, when put together they can create a dangerous and toxic combination.

Narcissistic individuals can be difficult to spot. After all, it could be easy to mislabel as self-love, confidence, or just good old fashioned selfishness. So, why is it important to shine a light on the potential narcissist in your life?

Well, for starters, they’ve been known to leave a lasting negative impact on your life. Low self esteem, loss of identity, isolation, and depression are just some of the issues faced by people who’ve experienced relationships with narcissists. Female narcissists can be our mothers, our partners, or even our close friends, so it’s important to identify the signs and take measures to protect your wellbeing.

In general, male and female narcissists may exhibit similar traits and behaviours, but there may be some key differences in the way they express their narcissism that might be helpful to learn.

Here are the 7 signs of a female narcissist:

1. Expression of grandiosity: While both male and female narcissists may have an inflated sense of self-importance, male narcissists may be more likely to express their grandiosity through dominance and aggression, while female narcissists may express their grandiosity through charm, manipulation, and attention-seeking behaviour.

2. Relationship patterns: Male narcissists may be more likely to engage in physically or verbally abusive behaviour in relationships, while female narcissists may be more likely to use emotional manipulation and gas-lighting tactics.

3. Social behaviour: Male narcissists may be more likely to seek out positions of power and control, while female narcissists may focus more on their appearance and social status.

4. Narcissistic supply: Male narcissists may seek out admiration and attention from others, while female narcissists may focus more on receiving emotional validation and sympathy.

5. Entitlement: Narcissists often feel entitled to special treatment and may expect others to cater to their needs without regard for the feelings or needs of others.

6. Inability to take responsibility: Narcissists may avoid taking responsibility for their actions and may blame others for their problems or shortcomings.

7. Jealousy and envy: Narcissists may experience feelings of jealousy and envy towards others, particularly those they perceive as a threat to their own superiority.

It is important to note, however, that these are general tendencies and should not be used to stereotype or stigmatise individuals based on their gender. Narcissism can manifest in many different ways and can affect people of any gender.

If you do spot a narcissist in your life, and notice a pattern of behaviour that is causing you or others harm, it may be worth seeking professional help. You can reach out to one of our counselling experts for a free consultation directly below.

Recognising the traits of a narcissist can help you avoid the negative impact they can have on your life. By being aware of the signs, you can protect yourself from the manipulative and emotionally damaging behaviours that are characteristic of narcissism.