How to deal with a narcissist partner

It is said that a narcissist is both appealing and appalling. Here is a person who can be accomplished and charming on the one hand, and arrogant and condescending on the other.

In her 2013 track Applause, singer Lady Gaga, dressed in the infamous "meat dress" sings "I live for the applause, applause, applause I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me The applause, applause, applause..." The song might be flashy and over-the-top, hard to miss, but in real life we deal with narcissism in a more subtle way.

Who is a narcissist?

Narcissistic personality disorder - one of several types of personality disorders - is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others, say reports.

One thing that is commonly seen with narcissistic people is their lack of empathy and their sense of entitlement, says Radhika Bapat, Clinical Psychotherapist.

Bapat shares a few red flags to tell you if your partner is a narcissist:

Does your partner always act as if everything is about her/him/them?

Does your partner act entitled and make the rules, but minimize and break them as well?

Is your partner someone who puts you down often?

Is your partner demanding of whatever she/he/they want?

Is your partner distrustful of your motives?

Do you have to listen to your partner all the time, else get into a fight

( With inputs from IANS )