Toxic Narcissist Cheat Sheet

Why Narcissistic Personality Disorder is so dangerous

This is the mother of all toxic personalities. If you are involved with someone who checks five or more of these boxes, you are in big trouble and can’t negotiate your way out. Don’t try.

They have nuclear weapons, and you have a slingshot.

Abuse in all its forms coming for you. It's camouflaged with bursts of fake affection. Very effective.

Get help from a professional.

Now. Not soon. Now.

Good luck.

Official Definition. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, which significantly impair relationships and daily functioning.

Comment. This bland definition is a bit like describing serial killer Ted Bundy as having significant relationship issues with women.

List of traits

Grandiosity Exaggerated self-importance

Superiority Preoccupation with fantasies

Preoccupation with fantasies Success, power, beauty, love

Need for admiration Requires excessive praise and validation

Sense of entitlement Expects special treatment, rules don’t apply

Exploitative behavior Takes advantage of others

Lack of empathy Unable/unwilling to recognize others’ feelings

Arrogance Haughty, condescending attitudes

Envy Envious of others or believes others envy them

Relationship difficulties Struggles to maintain healthy, long-term relationships

The official diagnosis is found in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The current version is the DSM-5-TR (text revision) published by The American Psychiatric Association in 2022.