Narcissistic Women in Relationships

If you’ve come across any narcissistic women in relationships, you have likely experienced the crushing effects of their toxic behaviors. These women are some of the most difficult people to be romantically involved with, often leaving their partners feeling drained, confused, and emotionally exhausted. They lure you in with charm and false promises of affection, only to reveal their true selves once the relationship is established.

In this article, we explore the traits of narcissistic women and how their tendencies can impact a relationship. It can be challenging to identify these traits in the early stages of a relationship because narcissistic women are often skilled at hiding their true intentions and manipulating those around them. However, recognizing the signs as early as possible can help you avoid falling into their trap.

What is a narcissistic woman?

First, let’s briefly discuss what narcissism is. Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. People with narcissistic tendencies often have an exaggerated sense of entitlement and believe they are superior to others. They may also struggle with regulating their emotions and maintaining healthy relationships.

It’s difficult, and sometimes impossible, to build a deep connection with narcissistic women, as their behaviors are self-serving and often hurtful. In the long run, it can be damaging to your mental health and well-being. It’s important to identify the signs of a narcissistic woman so you can better protect yourself and set boundaries.

Narcissistic women tend to differ from narcissistic men in a few ways. For starters, they may appear more empathetic and sensitive to the emotions of others, but this is just a façade used to come across as more likable. Narcissistic women are more likely to rely on manipulation and emotional blackmail to get what they want rather than aggression or violence. While narcissistic men tend to be overtly controlling, narcissistic women more commonly use covert tactics to exert their power and get what they want. They usually have a more subtle, passive-aggressive approach, but the end result is the same: their partners are often left feeling exhausted and insecure.

7 signs of narcissistic women in a relationship

Let’s take a look at seven common signs of narcissistic women in a relationship.

1. Excessive need for attention and admiration

Narcissistic women are known for having an insatiable need for attention rooted in deep-seated psychological factors. This craving for constant validation and admiration stems from a fragile sense of self-worth, which is often masked by their outward confidence. This need for attention can manifest in different ways, such as constantly seeking compliments, dominating conversations, or obsessing over how they are perceived on social media. They may also wear revealing or attention-grabbing clothing.

By seeking external validation, these women are attempting to fill a void within themselves. It can serve as a coping mechanism to alleviate feelings of inadequacy and insecurity that lurk beneath the surface of their inflated ego. In addition, by garnering attention, they can assert dominance and validate their perceived superiority over others. It can be their way of saying, “Look at me! Everyone knows how great I am compared to everyone else.” In relationships, it can be draining for their partners to constantly have to feed this desire for admiration, especially when their own needs are being neglected by the narcissistic woman.

2. Lack of empathy

One of the key traits of narcissistic women is their inability to empathize with others. This means they struggle to understand and validate other people’s emotions. They are often so consumed by their own feelings and needs that they have little space left to consider anyone else’s. The irony is that these women can actually come across as empathetic and caring at first. You might think how sweet and loving they are, but over time, their true colors start to show.

3. Entitlement

Narcissistic women often have an inflated sense of entitlement and believe they are deserving of special treatment. They can expect their partner to cater to their every need, want, and desire without question. This can manifest in subtle ways, like expecting you to drop everything at a moment’s notice to attend to them, or more overt ways, like demanding lavish gifts. This sense of entitlement often extends beyond the relationship into all aspects of their life. For example, they may expect to be promoted at work even if they haven’t put in the effort, or they might push to the front of a line because they believe they are more important than others.

The sense of entitlement that is associated with narcissistic women often stems from an underlying insecurity and need for validation. By receiving special treatment, they feed their ego and feel a sense of superiority over others. Ultimately, it can create an unhealthy power dynamic in a relationship. Their partners may feel like they are constantly walking on eggshells to please them and keep them happy. In addition, one partner can feel like they are constantly giving but not getting anything in return. Reciprocity is essential for a healthy relationship, and a lack of it can lead to resentment and dissatisfaction.

4. Manipulation and control

As mentioned earlier, narcissistic women are more likely to use covert tactics to exert their power and get what they want. They often use manipulation and emotional blackmail as tools to control their partner’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. This can be done through guilt-tripping or framing themselves as a victim. They might say things like, “If you loved me, you would do _____,” or “I’m always the one making sacrifices in this relationship.”

Manipulation and control can be damaging within a partnership as it takes away the other person’s autonomy and agency. This behavior, which is often exhibited by narcissistic women in a relationship, also erodes trust over time. To feel a true sense of trust in a relationship, you need to feel like your partner will be honest with you and that they have your best interests at heart. Without this, the foundation of a relationship can quickly crumble.

5. Gaslighting

Gaslighting is a common tactic used by narcissistic women in relationships. It’s a form of emotional abuse that makes you question your own thoughts, feelings, and memories. They might twist your words or deny things they’ve said or done to make you feel like you are the one at fault. Phrases like “You’re imagining things” or “That never happened” are common in these scenarios.

Narcissistic women in a relationship may also use gaslighting to deflect responsibility and avoid taking accountability for their actions. The first few times this happens, you may brush it off as a misunderstanding or miscommunication. But over time, this constant gaslighting can leave you feeling confused and anxious. It can even cause you to doubt your own sanity, which can be incredibly damaging to your mental and emotional well-being.

6. Jealousy

Jealousy often runs rampant in the psyche of narcissistic women, driven by a complex interplay of insecurities, competitiveness, and a strong desire for validation. They often perceive other women as threats, and they have a deep fear of being overshadowed or outshined in any way. This insecurity fuels a toxic cycle of comparison, where every success or positive trait in another woman is seen as a threat to their own self-worth.

7. Emotional volatility

Narcissistic women can also display unpredictable and intense emotional reactions, from extreme anger to hysterical crying, seemingly out of nowhere. They may fly into fits of rage over minor issues or become inconsolable at the slightest disappointment. This emotional volatility is often fueled by their fragile sense of self-worth and inability to regulate their emotions in a healthy way. As a result, they may lash out, manipulate, or gaslight others as a means of coping with their own insecurities and fears.

This constant emotional rollercoaster can take a toll on a relationship, as it requires significant effort to appease or manage a narcissistic woman’s emotional outbursts. It can also mean that the partners of narcissistic women can end up walking on eggshells, where they are afraid to do or say anything that may trigger an extreme reaction. It can feel easier to go to great lengths to avoid conflict altogether rather than deal with the aftermath of a narcissistic woman’s emotional explosion.

Final thoughts on narcissistic women in relationships

Being in a relationship with a narcissistic woman can be deeply damaging to your self-esteem. The way they lure you in with their charisma and admiration can leave you feeling blindsided when it takes a turn for the worse and they reveal their true nature. It is theoretically possible for a narcissistic woman to change, but it’s a long process, and few have the willpower to do so.

Staying in a relationship with a narcissistic woman isn’t only exhausting, but it can also be dangerous. If you feel like your partner is exhibiting the traits mentioned above, it’s essential to take action to protect yourself and your well-being. This may mean setting boundaries, seeking therapy, or ending the relationship.

You have control over how you choose to respond to her actions. Remember, you deserve to be in a healthy and loving relationship where your needs are valued and respected. Don’t settle for anything less.