Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) affects about 1% of the population, with countless people living undiagnosed. Many of these people are heads of households, with their behavior tearing apart families and creating a rift in the family dynamic.
Although everyone has a little narcissism, extreme cases can become detrimental to the health and well-being of relationships. Characteristics like entitlement and arrogance are at the forefront of these behaviors, defining this mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance.
Studies show that 1 in 6 people have NPD, which is nearly 1 in every other household. Within a family dynamic, these narcissistic behaviors may manifest themselves in the form of poor communication or unhealthy competition. These actions can leave long-term effects on children or spouses, such as self-loathing, guilt, or distrust. Other warning signs of a narcissistic partner are gaslighting, blame-shifting, triangulation, or playing the victim.
Fortunately, seeking help and escaping an unhealthy relationship is possible. With proper planning, slow and careful progress, and meaningful action, life can look much different for victims of narcissistic relationships. While narcissism is not curable, healing is possible, starting with the courage and resources needed to build a new life separate from an NPD spouse.
