When it comes to personality types, nobody wants to be labeled a narcissist. Officially known as narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD, these unfortunate souls have a love for superficial things and a need to be the best no matter the cost.

People diagnosed as having NPD, unfortunately, possess a number of traits that are rather negatived. They can be self-absorbed, selfish, and apathetic to those around them, even their loved ones. They care little for anyone else but themselves. They are quite vain and think everyone desires them.

The poster boy for the modern narcissist is Partick Bateman. Although a fictional character, he possesses all the traits of a classic narcissist, except for his love of 80s pop music. There’s nothing wrong with that.

In the real world, it can be hard to spot a narcissist. It is not until you really get to know them that their true personality shines through, and by then it could be too late. The worst thing is most narcissists don’t even realize they are one. This can lead to a lot of problems when in a relationship with someone who has NPD and can mean you will end up suffering narcissistic abuse.

To make sure you don’t fall into this trap, this article looks at what a narcissist is, the signs you’re dating a narcissist, and how to escape a relationship with a narcissist.

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a number of negative behaviors, including a need for attention and admiration, an inflated sense of importance, a lack of empathy, and trouble with forming meaning full relationships.

At the very heart of the condition is a need to be the center of attention at the expense of others. This is where narcissistic behavior often impacts relationships as a person with NPD will say or do whatever is required to have the attention on them. Surpsringsly they have low self-esteem, which means they often lash out at the smallest criticism. While this is normally verbal, they can also get physical, which is a big no-no in any relationship.