Narcissism is a mental disorder that affects approximately one in a hundred people—but many more exhibit narcissistic traits that don’t quite qualify for a diagnosis. Many women believe they’re married to a narcissistic man, and based on a laundry list of symptoms, they may be right. Narcissistic behaviors land hundreds of couples in Raleigh divorce lawyers’ offices each year.
Is Narcissism Really a Mental Disorder?
Although the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the manual that professionals use to classify all known mental disorders) excludes the disorder from its rosters, many psychologists and psychiatrists agree that it’s still a very real issue. People exhibiting narcissistic traits may end up being diagnosed with other, more focused disorders in the future.
Currently, narcissistic people are rarely diagnosed because they’re reluctant to seek help.
You, like many other women in situations like yours, might decide that it’s time to talk to an attorney about getting a divorce.
Symptoms of a Narcissistic Husband
Narcissism is generally characterized by dramatic and emotional behaviors. Not every “drama queen” is a narcissist, though. In fact, many traits have to come into play before a diagnosis can be made.
Some symptoms a narcissistic husband might exhibit include:
• Believing he is “special” and expecting to be treated as such
• The inability to empathize or even recognize other people’s emotions or feelings
• Frequent or constant fantasizing about wealth, power, success and attractiveness
• Being excessively jealous of others and believing others are jealous of him
• Exaggeration of his past achievements, talents or successes
• An expectation of constant praise
• Taking advantage of other people to get ahead
• Looking down on other people he feels are inferior to him
• Being easily hurt and feeling rejected frequently
• Having low, fragile self-esteem
• Being seen as unemotional or “tough”
While many people exhibit some of these traits, a true narcissist puts himself on a pedestal from which he looks down on everyone else. He might have a sense of entitlement and become angry when he doesn’t get his way.
What to Tell Your Raleigh Divorce Lawyer
If you suspect your husband is a narcissist, let your Raleigh divorce lawyer know. He or she may be able to provide you with resources that can help you recover from the ups and downs you experienced during your marriage, like a referral to a local counselor or therapist. You can’t fix your ex, but you can improve the way you see yourself after dealing with his narcissism.
