Methods to Check Your Narcissistic Traits

Narcissism is a term that is frequently used to describe someone who appears to be excessively conceited or full of oneself.

But does narcissism truly mean that?

Narcissism is actually one of ten personality disorders, to be more precise.

It is described as an exaggerated perception of oneself.

Narcissistic characteristics can influence how a person thinks, feels, and acts.

As a result, this can have an impact on daily life as well as how someone behaves at work and in relationships.

People with narcissistic personality disorder frequently exhibit five or more distinct symptoms.

If you have had moments of narcissism, you don't have to worry; there is support for narcissism.

Also, there are methods to check your narcissistic traits so you can work towards getting better.

One of these methods involves personal self-reflection.

Take some time to reflect on your behavior and attitudes.

You will gain insight into some of the narcissistic traits you might possess.

Also, another alternative is to take a personality test.

There are various resources online where you can take a quick personality test at your own convenience.

Seeking professional help is also an option.

A professional will be more equipped to diagnose a personality disorder.

Below are more details on methods to check your narcissistic traits. 

Self-Reflection

You must take time to reflect; it will help you recognize and deal with any possible narcissistic behaviors you possess.

Consider whether you tend to have an exaggerated sense of self-worth or are constantly seeking praise or approval from others.

Another trait to look out for is a lack of empathy towards others, or it could be that you find it hard to relate to other people's feelings, and maybe you always feel you deserve special treatment.

Once you look out for these types of traits, you can better understand how they might affect your well-being and relationships.

It is also important to consider how you react when you are being criticized about things.

Narcissistic people tend to find it hard to accept criticism or fault, and in most cases, they react hostilely.

If you notice that this is true for you, do you think the criticism you received is unjustified, even though it may be true?

Ask yourself these types of questions when you are trying to reflect on your patterns or traits.

Thinking about how you respond to criticism can help you recognize any signs of narcissism and strive to adopt a more fair and receptive attitude towards receiving feedback.

A very effective and useful technique that can help you in your journey of self-discovery is journaling.

Keeping a journal of your thoughts and observations can help you learn about your traits and how they affect your relationships and overall health.

Reflecting on your traits and attitudes can help you become more self-aware and make positive changes in your life. 

Take a Personality Test

If you're looking to check for any narcissistic traits you may have, taking a personality test can be a helpful tool.

The internet offers numerous resources that will be very useful for checking any narcissistic traits at your own convenience.

For example, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is a commonly used assessment tool for checking narcissistic characteristics.

Another alternative is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), as it can offer valuable insights into your personality and identify areas where you can improve.

After completing a personality test, analyze the outcomes and pinpoint any potential instances where you may have displayed narcissistic tendencies.

Start by using the results or outcomes as a foundation for developing more acceptable traits.

Also, remember that these tests are not meant for diagnosis.

Only licensed healthcare professionals are qualified to diagnose mental health disorders.

Nonetheless, these evaluations can be a useful first step before you start the actual NPD treatment.

There are many people that don't seek help because they think their concern isn't serious enough to require professional assistance.

Ask For Feedback

Asking for feedback from friends and loved ones is one of the useful methods to check your narcissistic traits.

They are more likely to have noticed certain traits or patterns, even when you may not be aware of them.

Ask them if they have observed any recurring patterns or behaviors that could be interpreted as narcissistic.

Most importantly, it's important that you are receptive to constructive criticism.

Otherwise, you probably won't be able to make much progress with this method.

Use the feedback to pinpoint areas that need improvement.

For example, If someone tells you that you tend to interrupt others when they're speaking, try to listen more and interrupt less.

Seek Professional Help 

What better way to learn about yourself and understand any underlying issues than to see a professional who specializes in helping narcissistic people?

If you're concerned about your narcissistic tendencies and how they can impact your life or relationships, it could be beneficial to consult a therapist or mental health expert.

Therapists can help you understand your actions and behaviors.

In addition, they may offer resources and techniques to help you develop more positive ways of dealing with stress and improving your interpersonal relationships.

A therapist can help you create techniques to handle your urges for control or attention in a positive manner.

Evaluate Your Relationships

Living with narcissistic personality disorder will have an impact on your relationships.

This is why it is one of the effective methods to check your narcissistic traits.

In most cases, it is those around you that may know you better than yourself, especially when it comes to your reactions, patterns, or behavior in certain situations.

Consider evaluating your relationships, both the past and the present.

You can evaluate a past relationship by thinking about memories from then, how you and the other individual interacted, or factors that may have affected how the relationship turned out.

Do this for several other relationships in your life and note down recurring patterns or traits.

This method can help you learn from mistakes or areas where you think you need to work on and get better. 

Conclusion

Implementing these 5 methods to check your narcissistic traits can help you identify any patterns that might be seen as narcissistic and work towards building healthier relationships with those around you.

If you are having difficulty navigating the disorder, remember there are different forms of support for narcissism.

Some methods to check your narcissistic traits include self-reflection, taking a personality test, asking for feedback, seeking professional help, and evaluating your relationships.

Resources 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9742-narcissistic-personality-disorder

https://www.medicinenet.com/how_can_i_tell_if_im_a_narcissist/article.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20366690

https://www.psycom.net/narcissistic-personality-disorder-test

https://psychcentral.com/disorders/early-warning-signs-of-a-narcissist

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm