Are narcissists cheaters?

The answer is a bit complex, but the consensus is that narcissists do cheat.

Many experts have addressed this question and cited numerous reasons why narcissists are more likely to cheat on their partners.

There are even cases where narcissists are more prone to cheating as compared to other people.

But not all narcissists will cheat on their partners, so what could be the reason for this behavior?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder and it's not uncommon for narcissists to be unfaithful in their relationships.

This article will help you understand why some narcissists may choose to be unfaithful.

Are Narcissists Cheaters: Reasons Narcissists Are Potential Cheaters

There is a lot of debate about whether or not cheating is a symptom of NPD.

Some experts argue that cheating is a symptom of NPD while others believe that cheating is a result of poor self-esteem or lack of confidence. 

Below are some of the reasons why Narcissists are likely to cheat.

Sense of Power and Superiority

Narcissistic cheaters are people who are driven by the need to "conquer" others, and who derive great pleasure from their sense of power and superiority when they successfully seduce a new partner. 

These narcissists also tend to be more insecure than others, and that can contribute to the need for sex with other people as a way of feeling better about themselves.

Lack Of Empathy

One of the biggest warning signs that your partner has a narcissistic personality disorder? 

They don't feel empathy for other people's feelings, needs, or experiences. 

The tendency of narcissists to cheat is connected to their lack of empathy and the fact that they are extremely self-focused.

They are impulsive and lack self-control, which can lead them to take risks with things like cheating that they wouldn't ordinarily take.

Narcissists feel entitled to whatever they want, and if they get it, they think they deserve praise and admiration for it. 

Narcissism also makes people more likely to focus on the benefits to them of something like cheating rather than the potential downsides or negative effects on others.

Because narcissists also cannot empathize with others.

This helps them justify cheating as something not only acceptable but also necessary.

In their minds, there is nothing wrong with cheating because it makes them happy and fulfilled. 

The lack of empathy helps commit all kinds of crimes without feeling sorry or remorseful afterward, and in keeping up the pretense that you didn't hurt anyone else when you did something harmful and wrong.

Tendency to Live Selfish Lives 

Because they're far more concerned with themselves than with anybody else, they'll have no qualms about stepping outside their relationship and being unfaithful if they think they can get away with it.

They have a superiority complex coupled with very low self-esteem. 

So, they always need to feel validated by the attention of others; this makes them more likely to stray because they know that if they're in a committed relationship, the only way to feel validated is to seek validation from someone other than their partner. 

Love for Deception

Narcissists tend to be incredibly deceptive and untrustworthy. 

This attribute makes it easy for them to cheat without getting caught.

Even when their partners find out about the cheating, narcissists are so skilled at finding ways to blame others. 

They'll do it in a clever way that the cheater frequently ends up feeling guilty for having found out in the first place.

Narcissists will never admit that they're wrong—even when confronted by evidence of their wrongdoing—because doing so would force them to confront their weaknesses and shortcomings. 

Unfortunately, this means that the only way to keep yourself from being cheated on by a narcissist is to not be involved with one in the first place.

Lack of Sense of Guilt 

They don't feel guilty about hurting others. In addition to not feeling guilty about hurting others or even feeling like it's their fault in the first place, narcissists don't care about repairing relationships, especially once their needs have been met.

This attitude is another reason narcissists are cheaters—they're unlikely to reflect on their behavior and feel remorseful afterward because they're too focused on themselves and how great they think they are. 

Lack of Remorse 

Can you expect a narcissist to truly be sorry for their behavior? 

Narcissists rarely admit when they're wrong or experience genuine remorse for their actions because that would mean recognizing other people's feelings besides their own.

Cheating may not even register as something wrong from their perspective because it wouldn't cause them emotional pain like it would someone who isn't egocentric. 

The same goes for lying--they'll lie without feeling bad about it because there are no repercussions for them if everyone else ends up getting hurt by what they said or did.

There is no other reason for them to do it, except for wanting to gratify themselves. 

They don't care about the consequences infidelity can bring into a relationship, because their partner's feelings and needs don't concern them. If you are in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies and you ask them why they cheated on you or why they will probably do that again sometime soon, the answer might be: "Because I want to!" 

Need to Conceal Their True Self 

Narcissists don't want us to see their true selves.

A big part of what drives a narcissist's need for cheating is their fear of being exposed as the fraud they sense themselves to be.

Narcissists are afraid of being "found out" that they aren't as great as they try so desperately to appear. 

They will do almost anything to keep that from happening. 

A narcissist is afraid of being exposed for who they are, so they often mask it with a false sense of superiority.

Lack of Intimate Social Connections 

Why do narcissists cheat? It's because they can't connect deeply and feel intimacy. 

Their relationship is not a genuine two-way connection, so they end up getting bored and seeking other sources of attention.

Narcissists are driven by their needs, obsessions, wants, desires, and how they can make someone a source to fulfill these desires. 

Therefore, their relationships are based on this foundation. 

This is why when the narcissist finds another source of attention that he or she thinks will provide them with primary needs (such as sex or adulation) better than what his current spouse has been giving him/her, can be one reason for cheating.

For you to hurt your partner you must have violated some sort of trust or commitment made between both parties involved in the relationship. 

Narcissists have limited capabilities for intimacy due mainly because of their lack of empathy but also due to self-obsession which leaves no room for another person in the relationship other than being a source of supply. 

How Can You Tell If a Narcissist Is Cheating On You? 

In the wake of a cheating scandal, some patterns can emerge. 

The person may behave oddly or inappropriately in public and claim to be too busy to hang out with you. 

They may change their usual routine by working at unusual hours, playing out at night, or with friends who don't know they're supposed to be meeting you.

They might even show up unexpectedly in a different location than they normally would when they're supposed to be spending quality time with you.

It's important to recognize these patterns when they start happening and take action before the situation gets any worse.

If, however, the narcissist is going above and beyond what you've come to expect from them, it might mean they're looking for excuses not to spend time with you on purpose.

That's why it's crucial that no matter what your behavior is, you remain true to your relationship and consistent whenever possible—you never know when something small like that last-minute work trip might spell disaster for your relationship if it stays unresolved. 

Conclusion

Relationships are complicated, and people aren't always upfront about their intentions. 

But if you suspect you're dating a narcissist, there's a big chance that you're right. 

Narcissists are known for being selfish, conceited, and self-centered—and they can be incredibly attractive in the early stages of a relationship.

If you notice signs that your partner cares more about themselves than they care about you, it may be time to move on.

Resources 

https://psychcentral.com/blog/recovering-narcissist/2018/08/5-signs-youre-dating-a-cheating-narcissist#:~:text=Narcissists%20and%20sociopaths%20are%20notorious,also%20serial%20cheaters%20in%20relationships.

https://www.marriage.com/advice/infidelity/narcissist-cheating-signs/

https://thenarcissisticlife.com/is-the-narcissist-cheating-on-you/