What comes to mind when it comes to narcissists? An arrogant gesture with attention-seeking behavior in males. But it gets different when it is about a female narcissist. They can act completely differently. They can subtly assert their superiority. However, according to research, two types of narcissism are being discussed, such as grandiose and vulnerable. It has been discussed that narcissism is not exclusive to men. Women are more likely to develop vulnerable narcissism. Besides this, we will specifically discuss narcissism in females and what drives narcissism in females.
Understanding The Core Personality Of Female Narcissists:
Firstly, we need to understand what is a narcissistic female is and how they behave differently from men. We may have heard someone is a narcissist if they brag a lot, are arrogant, and always behave attention seeker. Female narcissists usually use people to meet their unmet needs. They need admiration and an outward mask to manipulate people with their tactics. It makes a difference to identify women narcissists due to the complications of their traits. Besides this, women tend to gain attention, money, emotional abuse, validation, and social status due to their sexuality.
Common Traits Of A Female Narcissist:
Women with narcissistic traits are not easy to spot. Therefore, one has to be fully attentive. Women narcissists are harder to spot due to their subtle behavior. But you can learn their patterns with the following traits.
- Unlike men, who dominate others, women use the opposite of it. In addition to this, traits of a narcissist woman can be scarier than those of men, as they operate differently from men. They use emotional manipulation to empower people. They will add guilt and sympathy to gain control over others.
- Moreover, they hide their true motives to maintain power. They will use flattering words to melt your heart and will develop a connection to gain control over you. They rely on passive aggression, which makes it harder for people to analyze their toxic behavior. Furthermore, you can look up a few traits to understand how to spot a narcissist woman. Their subtle, manipulative tactics are deeply impactful. They focus on social image to secure a position of power.
Read More: Types Of Trauma: Understanding The Many Faces Of Psychological Pain
Female Narcissist In Romantic Relationships:
Narcissistic women will show affection towards their partners. This way, they control them through their kind gestures. The signs of a female narcissist in relationships include self-centered behavior. Also, they will gaslight you to control their partners. They will admire you and make you feel special at the beginning of their relationship. After a while, they may belittle their partners. They will feel their partners are insecure by flirting with others. Furthermore, they will not take responsibility for their mistakes. They might blame their partners and act as victims.
How A Female Narcissist Affects Relationships:
Narcissistic women pretend to shield their behavior, such as being nurturing mothers, protective friends, and loving wives. These tactics help them play the victim role. However, narcissism in women constantly seeks validation. They pay attention to their physical beauty to gain social rank and power in society. They will flaunt their beauty to gain control over others. The narcissistic female can emotionally drain relationships. Further, they will backstab and belittle you to fulfill their insecurities. They can act as an competitor in friendship. Hence, narcissistic women are highly toxic and drain your mental energy.
The Female Narcissist In the Workplace:
Here, you will find out the strategies or psychological tactics of female narcissists use in the workplace. The narcissist female can make your life challenging and stressful at the same time. They will always need constant reassurance and attention. Also, they take credit for everything. They use their charisma to influence others or within professional hierarchies. They can exploit their colleagues emotionally to get their desired fulfilled.
Causes & Origins Of A Female Narcissist:
Narcissism is a complex condition that can be influenced by various environmental factors or early exposure to trauma. However, one of the biggest factors can arise from early childhood experiences. The neglect of emotions can create anxiety and depression in women. The upbringing with emotional abuse can bring up their insecurities, where they seek validation from the external environment. The suppression of expressing emotions can lead women towards trauma.
Types Of Female Narcissists:
Have you ever been disrespected by a female? It is because of female narcissists, whose further types may confuse you, but will help in identifying how each type works. This specific area of research will help you figure out the symptoms of a narcissistic woman and how to protect your mental health and reclaim peace.
Covert Narcissist:
Covert narcissists are harder to identify. They use guilt as a manipulative skill. They play the victim games, such as “ Nobody understands me” or “ I have sacrificed a lot”. They play these tactics to gain emotional power over someone.
Grandiose Narcissist:
These types of female narcissists may show you overconfidence. They act as perfectionists; for instance, no one can do it better than they. They are highly self-obsessed with themselves. They showcase superiority to dominate others. They use their charisma to gain control and bring destruction to the people they are surrounding.
Malignant Narcissist:
This type of narcissistic woman has low self-esteem due to several insecurities. They lack empathy towards others. They can be extremely dangerous when they are not able to achieve their goals.
Communal Narcissist:
They engage in emotional manipulation and always take credit for others’ accomplishments. They desires for the power pf control.
Read More: What Does It Mean To Be Emotionally Unavailable?
How To Deal with a Female Narcissist:
It is important to take care of your mental well-being. You can take the first step by avoiding a female narcissist. You can set clear boundaries around yourself. You should limit your exposure to your closest people. Besides this, don’t try to fix her. You need to understand the characteristics of a narcissistic woman. This way, you can follow the grey rock method to deal with a narcissist, restricted of gender.
Therapy & Treatment Options For Female Narcissists:
Educate yourself and build up your self-esteem. It is important to understand that seeking help doesn’t make you weak. You can take support through effective strategies or approaches.
Cognitive Therapy:
It helps in sorting out your disordered thinking patterns that have shaped your negative personality. In addition to this, you can take telepsychiatry, which will help in saving your time and energy.
Schema Therapy:
It works on your deep-rooted trauma coming from early childhood experiences. Schema therapy is effective in identifying your underlying issues and concerns, such as PTSD, ADHD, and psychosis, that lead to narcissistic behavior. This approach will work as a healthy copy strategy with great self-awareness.
Psychodynamic Therapy:
It helps a person develop awareness of their unconscious thoughts and behavior.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy:
It works on a person’s intense emotions and challenges in dealing with emotional difficulties. Psychiatric medication management
Read More: Depression In Young Adults: A Growing Mental Health Crisis
Recognizing & Protecting Yourself From A Female Narcissist:
Narcissistic people leave emotional scars on others. You can spot narcissistic behavior in a mother, a housewife, or a female worker. Recognizing early symptoms can help you get better faster. Furthermore, you must know how to respond to a narcissist by setting boundaries and developing awareness. Moreover, you can take your first step towards mental well-being at Solid Foundation Psychiatry. Protect yourself from gaslighting or narcissistic behavior. You deserve a relationship filled with love and care. Seeking professional help from Solid Foundation Psychiatry can safeguard your mental well-being.