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Identifying and Understanding the Traits and Behaviors of Narcissists:
A Personal Journey
Narcissism is a personality disorder that is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for attention, admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
Narcissists often have a grandiose sense of entitlement and believe they are special and deserving of special treatment. They may also exhibit manipulative behavior and a lack of concern for others.
I once had a friend whom I will call Sarah. From the outside, Sarah appeared confident, charming, and successful. She had a large circle of friends and was the center of attention wherever she went. However, as I got to know her better, I started to notice some troubling patterns in her behavior.
For one, Sarah had a constant need for validation and attention. She would often interrupt conversations to talk about herself, and would become visibly upset if she felt like she wasn't getting enough attention or praise.
She also had a tendency to belittle others, especially those she perceived as threats to her own success or popularity.
Another trait I noticed in Sarah was a lack of empathy for others. She would often dismiss other people's problems or concerns as unimportant or insignificant, and would rarely…