Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with a narcissist? Not really. The idea of a healthy relationship is different in the minds of different people.
Needless to say, what a healthy relationship is to a narcissist, is the most selfish and controlling relationship to any normal person.
While in a relationship, people expect several things from their partners. Majority of successful relationships function on the sacrifice and selflessness of partners.
They are successful because partners put the needs of their better half before their own. However, this is close to impossible for a narcissist to do.
What is the reason behind their inability to keep a relationship? Below are 6 reasons a narcissist find it hard to maintain intimate relationships:
1. A narcissist has no friends
A narcissist usually grows up as a loner. He/she has no friends and even if they do, most of them are superficial, merely acquaintances. Our friendships teach us a lot about building and maintaining relationships.
2. They have a huge ego
Narcissists are also full of themselves. This leads to numerous ego clashes. In an argument with their lover, they often do not apologise. They are comfortable with living alone should their partner decide to stop talking with them.
In such cases, how can one expect to have an intimate relationship? They are unapologetically more in love with themselves. Their ‘I am the best’ mindset sets them on a turbulent ride when it comes to matters of love.
3. A narcissist is self-obsessed
These are the people who have very little time for others. Not because of their busy work schedules or chores but because of their self-obsession. They make even the tiniest of their issues more significant than the real problems of their partners. They always focus on their success or failures with little scope left for their partners to share theirs.
As time passes by, their partners start disliking the importance that they put on themselves than focusing on ‘we’.
4. Narcissists have no empathy
It’s ‘I, me and myself’ for a narcissist. Their ability to empathise is almost nonexistent. They can never put themselves in someone else’s shoes. In order to connect emotionally with your spouse, it is very important to understand your better half. Unfortunately, narcissists lack this trait.
Lack of empathy is the main reason why narcissists and relationships are at loggerheads. It is precisely, for this reason, that narcissistic relationship abuse also occurs.
5. They have a superiority complex
Narcissists consider themselves a class above the rest. It does not matter if you are their partner. They will still think you aren’t as good as them. Can you imagine having an intimate relationship with a person full of attitude and pride? They can be condescending and snobbish.
Due to such traits, their relationships tend to fall apart. However, they remain unaffected. Narcissists are unabashedly arrogant people. Therefore, they never compromise and always consider themselves to be the superior one in the relationship.
6. Narcissists are hungry for praise
Narcissistic people want to be at the receiving end of all the compliments. They want credit for everything. To fulfil their selfish need to look the best, they might end up hurting their partner’s emotions. This is also why they are rarely ever satisfied.