If you are married to a narcissistic man, you must be prepared to deal with him. Read on to learn the 11 best ways to deal with a narcissistic husband without ruining your relationship.
2. Find Out The Triggers For His Behavior
Try to recognize the roots of his behavior. Finding out his insecurities that he is trying desperately to cover up can help you deal with your narcissist husband. Consult his relatives or friends who can help you deal with his problem. They might know how long he has been suffering from this mentality. Also, you will be able to know his past. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have insecurity problems, which often trigger their negative behavior. If you observe this tendency in recent times, try to find out what could have caused his behavior. The damage to their psyche typically occurs during the toddler years. Narcissists belittle you to feel better about themselves. Once you find out how to recognize these triggers, you can avoid or be prepared for the struggles that may cause.
3. Know His True Behavior
Narcissistic people are very charming and magnetic. They are good at creating self-flattering images and grand ideas. These people are addicted to feeling very special about themselves, and they lie, cheat, and do whatever they want to get their high. If you question your partner about his behavior, he may question your authority about the same. But knowing his true behavior can help you arrive at an ideal solution.
4. Make A Decision
People with NPD have low self-esteem and will not take any responsibility for their mistakes. Also, it is not easy for a narcissist to understand their behavior and how they are hurting others. At times, you may feel it is difficult to change him – and the only person’s behavior that you can control is your own. But remember – this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good marriage; it just may look different than what you might have expected. Your encouraging words, care, and counseling sessions can help him think positively.
5. Stop Your Focus On Him
Narcissistic individuals have attention-seeking behavior. They like to keep themselves in the spotlight. No matter how many sacrifices you make for him, your husband may not recognize it and your actions may never be enough for him. You might soon find that your opinions don’t matter. So, stop your focus on him. Spend some time for yourself to pursue your goals and desires. This will make you happier.
6. Speak Up For Yourself
People with narcissistic behavior enjoy watching others suffer as they are incapable of compassion and empathy. But if you are facing this issue with your husband, try not to show annoyance. Handle the situation calmly and gently. Speak up for yourself and tell him how his words and behaviors are impacting your life. Also, be consistent and clear about what kind of behavior you are expecting from him. But be prepared for the fact that he may not listen to you or he may even ignore you. If he continues to ignore you and doesn’t show any care for you, you may choose to walk away from the relationship.
7. Work On Your Self-Esteem
Self-esteem influences your decisions and choices. Low self-esteem reduces the quality of life in many ways. Narcissists see themselves as superiors and struggle with being empathetic with others. They insult other people and tend to knock them down. Emotional and verbal abuse from your husband could be signs of low self-esteem. If you are not careful, such behavior can hurt your self-esteem too. Hence, it is important to work on your mental health and self-esteem.
8. Establish Clear Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries makes any relationship healthier. Narcissistic individuals are often self-absorbed and want to take lead in the relationship. Your husband may not like it when you spend time with your friends. Narcissists also won’t apologize for their mistakes. Also, they have little sense of personal space. Hence, you must set clear boundaries and tell your husband to respect them. Tell your husband what is not acceptable to you and why the consequences should matter to him. Narcissistic individuals only start thinking about things when they are affected.
9. Check Yourself
Dealing with a narcissistic husband who has no concern about another’s state of mind can take a toll on your health. If you are trying to make your relationship healthy but are unhappy with the results, get in touch with your friends and family. Speak to them and get help from them. Talking to them will build your confidence. Also, consult a doctor if you have any anxiety issues.
10. Keep A Support System
Spending an excessive amount of time with someone with NPD can drain you out. It is common for a narcissist to isolate their spouse from their family and friends. Your husband might want all of your attention and may become jealous if you are spending time with other people. When you are not connecting with a support system, it can become easier for your husband to take control of your life. Hence, it is important to have individuals around you who are offering you the right support.
11. Take Him For Counseling
Narcissists have low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy, and often need professional intervention. But many narcissists are against counseling as they think they know more than any therapist, so be wary about this suggestion. Making it seem like a shared problem may make your husband agree to seek counseling. Take responsibility for your actions instead of pushing it all on him.
Conclusion
How do narcissists treat their wives? Narcissistic men try to control and manipulate their wives. In an effort to deceive their wives, they frequently gaslight them. In addition, they often have affairs and lie to them. If they are successful in doing that, it makes them feel even more powerful. What kind of woman do narcissists like? A narcissistic man seeks a woman who will reinforce his belief that he is a superior man. He wants an accomplished woman to be his “trophy” wife. Narcissists frequently find themselves drawn to powerful, self-assured, and hard-working women. They typically seek out career-focused women who are ambitious. How does a narcissist react when they can’t control you? Narcissists go to great lengths to regain their sense of power if they can no longer control you. As a result, they will probably feel offended, become enraged, and possibly even begin threatening you.
