You Cannot Communicate with A Narcissist

The narcissistic personality lives in a delusional world of his creation. Although he/she gives fine speeches and is highly articulate in their profession, they are incapable of the give and take of true communication. I am talking of a meeting of minds. The narcissist is of one mind---his. That is all that exists at the center of his universe. He is the sun, the center of everything that goes on in his world. You share his reflected light only if you can provide him with major narcissistic supplies---becoming an adoring spouse who acts as his servant, provide him with sources of power and paths to wealth, introduce him to influential movers and shakers.  If you are in his life and cannot fit his bill, especially if you are a spouse or child, you will be treated with disrespect, dismissiveness, constant ridicule, searing criticism, verbal assaults, mental gaslighting and psychological sabotage.

There is a fresh crop of young narcissistic adults who have extreme self entitlement issues. The current society gives these individuals a large pass especially if they are successful academically and professionally and are highly confident. Recently I had an encounter with a young narcissistic fellow. I had spoken to him previously and suspected that he was a narcissist. Every word that he uttered was about him. He bragged incessantly about his entry into a medical residency. I made an effort to engage him in a conversation but it was impossible. At one point I mentioned a renowned surgeon who was in his field of study and he didn't make a verbal or nonverbal reply. It appeared that he was unable to hear anything that I was saying except the sound of his own voice. He flashed a pasted smile with pearly teeth every time he spoke about his grandiose ambitions. He was obsessed with his perfect false self. I talked about a person whom I knew that had a medical problem in his prospective specialty. He was incommunicado. It was quite astounding. I watched him puff himself up like a peacock as he spoke about his future. When he did mention others there was a sharp disdain in his voice, a demeaning manner signaling his superiority.

I left the Prince's throne room and went outside into the night and gazed at the twinkling stars ---so beautiful, magnificent and real.

Linda Martinez-Lewi, Ph.D.
Telephone Consultation: United States and International
Book: Freeing Yourself from the Narcissist in Your Life
Email: lmlphd@thenarcissistinyourlife.com