What Should I Do If I Think My Partner is a Narcissist?

If you believe your partner is a narcissist, it’s important to take steps to protect your emotional and physical wellbeing.

Focus on you

Here are some actions you can take:

✔️Educate Yourself: Learn about #narcissistic personality disorder (#NPD) and narcissistic behaviour. Understanding the patterns and tactics used by narcissists can help you recognize and respond to the behaviour more effectively.

✔️Set #Boundaries: Establish clear and firm boundaries. Communicate your limits and enforce them consistently. Narcissists often test boundaries, so it’s crucial to stick to your beliefs and not give in to their manipulative tactics.

✔️Seek #Support: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or a support group. Talking to others who understand your situation can provide emotional support. Be honest with them- by being open you can fully gain their perspective and potential knowledge on the situation. Have a selection of trusted people aware of your circumstance, so if you need them in future they can act faster to help.

✔️Document Behaviour: Due to gaslighting and the rollercoaster of emotions a narcissist can cause, it can become difficult to think straight. Keep a record of your partner’s behaviour, especially instances of #manipulation, #gaslighting, or #abuse. This documentation can be useful if you decide to seek professional help or legal action. It also helps you to gain your own perspective and remember what happened, when and how often. The damage of anxiety and trauma being created inside of you, can lead to you feeling confused and less able to see a situation clearly. If you're constantly checking your diary to see when they were last "nice", this isn't healthy.

✔️Focus on Self-Care: Prioritise your mental and physical health. Engage in activities that make you feel good, practice self-compassion and ensure you still see family and friends. Consider seeing a therapist to work through your feelings and develop coping strategies.

✔️Avoid Engaging in Arguments: Narcissists thrive on conflict and often try to provoke emotional reactions by taunting you and aggravating a situation. Avoid getting drawn into arguments or trying to "win" against them. Instead, stay calm and disengage when necessary. Don't be pushed into acting in a way that isn't normal for you. A narcissist will push you in the hope that you'll lash out, then they can become the victim and use it against you.

✔️Develop an Exit Plan: If the relationship becomes too toxic or abusive, you may need to consider leaving. Plan your exit strategy carefully, ensuring you have a safe place to go and financial independence if possible. This is especially important if you feel threatened or unsafe.

✔️Consider Professional Help: #Therapy can be beneficial both for understanding your situation and for developing strategies to cope with and respond to narcissistic behaviour. A therapist can also support you in making decisions about the relationship.

✔️Legal and Safety Considerations: If you are experiencing any form of abuse, prioritise your safety. Consider consulting with legal professionals or contacting local authorities or domestic violence organisations for advice and support.

✔️Reflect on the Relationship: Evaluate the impact of the relationship on your overall wellbeing. Consider whether the relationship is healthy and sustainable in the long term. Remember that you deserve to be in a relationship where you are respected, valued, and safe. Look at their past relationships and see if there is a theme. Are there any patterns? How does your partner talk about previous relationships, is it with respect or degrading for the other person? Have they had a series of short-term relationships? Was each girl labelled their "soul mate" on social media, publicly etc?

Remember that dealing with a narcissistic partner can be challenging and emotionally draining. It's important to take care of yourself and seek help when needed.

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I'm Aimee, a #MentalWellbeingCoach specialising in supporting females who are recovering from domestic abuse.

If the above is you and you need a non-judgemental and confidential chat,

drop me a DM

email me on: hello@ready-aim-succeed-coaching.co.uk

or Whatsapp me: 07587 010183

It's important to talk.

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