Even if you don’t have a narcissistic parent, you may have a toxic family member or narcissistic ex who deeply affected you in a similar way. Whether a good or bad situation, familiarity is comfortable and often invited in. “Fearful of being perceived as ’needy,’ an individual may overcompensate by ignoring, not acknowledging, or denying one’s own needs,” says Dorfman. “As a result, a partner who perceives oneself as selfless, without emotional needs, can focus exclusively on the other.” Narcissists do not understand boundaries and will try to push through yours when possible. “If an individual ignores, repeatedly crosses, or is unresponsive to your efforts to enforce boundaries, strongly reconsider continuing the relationship,” says Dorfman. She has seen this include intrusive questioning, disrespect for your time and space, and an inability to adhere to your delineation of boundaries. By setting your strong and uncompromising boundaries, you’re telling narcissists to back off. As you begin to understand the signs of a narcissists and what type of person narcissists are attracted to, it’ll begin to become much easier to avoid them over time.
