Are you ever left feeling like you’re just a character in someone else’s drama-filled life story?
If you’re dealing with a narcissist, chances are you’ve been there. Their behavior can leave you confused, tired, and wondering if it’s not all in your head. But there’s a pattern to their actions, clear signs that scream “narcissism.”
Narcissists want to overshadow you in every aspect of your life. They want to control you and feel appraised by everyone around them.
This list of 30 signs of a Narcissist is a bit more unusual than all the boring articles you might read about the Signs of Narcissism. If you have ever encountered a Narcissist, you will probably recognize many signs in this list.
#1 They Always Talk About Their Latest Success
Narcissists can’t wait to tell you about the great things they’ve done, even if it has nothing to do with what you’re talking about.
This happens because they want to be seen as the most successful person. Whether you’re chatting about a movie or someone else’s birthday, they’ll find a way to steer the talk back to their own achievements.
They’re hoping for praise and to look more important than anyone else. It’s their way of making sure they stand out and get noticed.
#2 They lose Interest When Someone Else Receives an Appraisal
Narcissists often don’t seem very excited when it comes time to clap for someone else. They prefer the spotlight to be on them all the time.
If the group is celebrating someone’s promotion or a job well done, narcissists might not listen, or they might try to talk about themselves instead.
They act like this because they don’t like it when other people get attention. In their minds, they should always be the star, and when they’re not, it bothers them.
#3 The narcissist is Never Wrong and it is Never their fault
When something goes wrong, you can bet a narcissist will say it wasn’t their mistake. They find someone or something else to blame fast.
That’s because the idea of messing up doesn’t fit with how they see themselves.
They work hard to keep things looking like they always know what they’re doing. So if there’s a problem, they’ll be the first to say, “Not me!” and point to someone else, keeping their image spotless.
#4 They Always Play The Victim
Narcissists are good at playing the victim. If something’s not going their way, they’ll make it seem like they’ve had the toughest time ever.
This isn’t just to get you to feel sorry for them; it’s also a way to try and control the situation.
They might say everyone’s against them or make a small issue sound huge. They do this to get attention and make people do what they want while making themselves look like they’ve overcome big challenges.
#5 They Will Give You Empty Promises
Narcissists will promise the moon, but they often don’t keep these promises. They say “yes” to a lot, maybe to get you to like them or because it makes them seem generous.
But when the time comes to do what they said, they might make excuses or forget all about it.
They often don’t think about the details of following through because, for them, it’s more about the moment of looking good and less about actually doing what they agreed to do.
#6 They have a bottomless need for compliments and approval, and they’re not shy about fishing for them
Narcissists love being told they’re great, and they never seem to get tired of hearing it.
They go out of their way to get compliments, like fishing for them with hints or outright asking if you liked what they did.
It’s because these compliments make them feel important. So, they might show off a new outfit or talk about a big project, hoping you’ll say something nice.
#7 When confronted with their mistakes, they weave a web of excuses rather than confront the problem head-on
If a narcissist does something wrong, don’t expect a straight “I messed up” from them.
They’re more likely to give you a bunch of reasons why it wasn’t really their fault. They might blame someone else, blame the situation, or say things were out of their hands.
The bottom line is they don’t like admitting they’re not perfect, so they pile up excuses to protect themselves from feeling bad or looking bad to others.
#8 They Always Blame Others
Narcissists are masters at the blame game. If something doesn’t go as planned or there’s a mistake, they won’t look in the mirror.
They’ll quickly point at other reasons or people they think are to blame. They might say, “It’s because you didn’t remind me,” or “Well, the instructions were wrong.”
Owning up to their part isn’t their style; they’d rather keep their own image and ego untouched.
#9 They Get Angry Very Quickly
If someone disagrees with a narcissist or calls them out, watch out— they often snap back in anger.
They think they’re always right and get mad when you dare to say otherwise. For them, being perfect is everything, so they get very angry, very fast, if you question them.
#10 They Always Play The Sympathy Card
Narcissists can tell a sad story like no one else, especially if it makes them look like they’ve been wronged.
They love the sympathy that comes with it, and guess what? It often helps them get their way. By playing the victim, they pull at your heartstrings and manipulate the situation.
#11 They Always Want To Be In Control
Have you noticed that a narcissist always wants to be in control? Yep, they want power in nearly any situation or relationship.
They believe they’re entitled to it. This desire to be ‘on top’ can make them pushy. They often pull the strings, always trying to steer things the way they want.
#12 They Don’t Care About Your Feelings
Narcissists often seem not to care about how others feel. They can be hurtful without realizing it or, sometimes, not care if they do.
They focus on themselves and forget that other people have feelings too. This can make being around them really hard, especially when you’re upset, and they just don’t get it.
#13 They Demand Your Undivided Attention
Like actors who always want the spotlight, narcissists need to be the center of attention.
They look for ways to keep all eyes on them, whether it’s talking loudly, making scenes, or just always making sure they’re noticed. They thrive on this attention and feel lost without it.
#14 They Are Envious About Your Success
Narcissists have a hard time being happy for others. When someone else does well, they might get jealous or feel it’s taking away their success.
They find it challenging to be glad for others; they often compare and wish they had what others do.
#15 They Are Charming but Superficial
Narcissists can be really charming, which is how they draw people in. But often, this charm doesn’t run deep.
It’s a skill they use to get what they want, not a sign of their true feelings for others. They know how to say everything right, even if they don’t mean them.
#16 They Don’t Care About Your Feedback
Narcissists typically dismiss or ignore feedback, especially if it doesn’t align with their view of themselves. They often regard themselves as above reproach, so your input might be met with indifference or even hostility.
Instead of considering your feedback, they might brush it off with a comment like, “I think I know what I’m doing.”
#17 They Live in a Fantasy World
Narcissists love to dream big, which isn’t bad, but they often expect the world to live up to their fantasies.
When things don’t go exactly as they imagined, they can become frustrated and blame others for not meeting their high expectations.
#18 They Exaggerate How Important They Are
A narcissist often acts like they’re more important than anyone else, exaggerating their role or contributions.
They want to be seen as the most valuable person in the room and will stretch the truth to make sure everyone believes it.
#19 They Are Experts in Holding Grudges
If you upset a narcissist, be prepared for them to hold onto that anger. They can keep a grudge for a long time, often bringing up old arguments or issues well after everyone else has moved on.
#20 They Have Shallow Relationships
Narcissists sometimes struggle to form deep, meaningful relationships. They focus on what others can do for them, not on building genuine connections.
This can make their relationships feel one-sided and empty. They also have a strong tendency to cheat.
#21 They Disrespect Your Boundaries
Narcissists often don’t see other people’s limits. They may push into your personal space or ignore your feelings, just to suit themselves.
They see your “No” as a “Maybe,” which shows they care more about what they want.
#22 They Have Fantasies of Grandeur
They dream of being at the top— the richest, most famous, or the best. Narcissists have big ideas about their future that are often out of touch with reality.
They get caught up in these dreams and might get mad when others don’t take them as seriously.
#23 They Are Hyper-Sensitivity to Criticism
Even a tiny bit of criticism can set off a narcissist. They take it very personally, even if it’s meant to help them.
They might react to a small comment as if it were a huge insult, which can be surprising and tough.
#24 They Will Manipulate Your Emotions
Narcissists can play with your feelings to keep you close and maintain control.
They might make you feel guilty or say things to make you doubt your own thoughts. It’s a way to keep you unsure and off-balance.
#25 They Like Drama
Narcissists can stir up drama because it keeps the attention on them and makes them feel important.
When life is calm, they might start a fight or gossip just to liven things up, but it often hurts people around them.
#26 They Always Lie
Narcissists often twist the truth to fit their narrative, creating a version of reality where they’re always in the right.
Lying can be a tool for them to maintain their image of perfection and to manipulate situations to their advantage.
Lying comes as naturally to a narcissist as breathing. They’ll lie about big things, like their past achievements or where they were last night.
It’s all about keeping that illusion of themselves they want the world to believe in.
It can be frustrating because you never quite know what’s true and what’s not, making it hard to trust them.
They’re playing a game where they’re trying to keep one step ahead, always trying to sculpt the world around them so they can stay on top and in control.
#27 They Mirror Your Behavior
Narcissists may copy your behaviors, interests, or mannerisms to create a sense of affinity or manipulate your perception of them. This mirroring can be their way of getting closer, gaining your trust, or keeping you tied to the relationship.
When a narcissist mirrors you, it’s like they’re trying on clothes in a dressing room, looking for the perfect outfit—in this case, your personality traits—to win you over.
It’s both flattering and disconcerting. They might start liking the same bands, using the same phrases you do, or adopting your hobbies as their own.
At first, it feels like you’re just in sync, but over time, you might notice it’s less about genuine shared interests and more about keeping you hooked.
By reflecting your identity at you, they’re attempting to show that they’re your perfect match, often to hide their true selves and motives.
#28 Their Apologies Are Mostly Fake
When narcissists apologize, it often lacks sincerity and is typically used as a tactic to move past a conflict without addressing the underlying issues.
Their apologies serve to alleviate or manipulate rather than express genuine remorse or a commitment to change.
You might hear a narcissist say “sorry,” but watch closely—there’s often a “but” that follows, shifting blame or making excuses.
These apologies are more about getting what they want—like forgiveness or a clean slate—than feeling sorry.
They might say, “I’m sorry you feel that way,” which puts the responsibility for feeling hurt on you, rather than acknowledging their role in causing the pain.
It’s a subtle way of staying in control, avoiding true accountability, and keeping the door open to repeat their behavior without real consequences.
That’s it. How many items in this list did your Narcissist portray?
