What is a Narcissistic Psychopath Like? The 10 Psychological Traits That Identify Them

PsychologyFor Editorial Team Reviewed by PsychologyFor Editorial Team Editorial Review Reviewed by PsychologyFor Team Editorial Review

What is a psychopathic and narcissistic person like? How can we identify them? Discover the differences and common traits between psychopaths and narcissists. Learn to deal with them.

How to identify a narcissistic psychopath?

Typically, people use the term psychopath or narcissist to describe those toxic people who are prone to not feeling much empathy for others. Although we use these two terms on many occasions, the reality is that within psychology, psychopaths and narcissists are included within personality disorders. In this way, a psychopath and a narcissist have many common traits and sometimes these behaviors can occur together.

What is a narcissistic psychopath like?

Although there is no official diagnosis of ‘narcissistic psychopath ‘ inside of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognize that these two types of toxic personality may have many common traits.

In those cases where people present characteristics of a narcissistic personality disorder and an antisocial personality disorder, it could be considered that they could be ‘narcissistic psychopaths ‘.

This profile of a sociopath-narcissist It is not always easy to identify. In fact, only when these behavioral patterns are severe and interfere with their own lives and those around them can it be considered that a personality disorder of this type exists.

How to identify a narcissistic psychopath?

A personality disorder It refers to people experiencing an unhealthy pattern of thinking and behavior that ends up harming their social, work, and school functioning. In many cases, a narcissistic sociopath, like those who suffer from other disorders of this type, do not usually realize the problem they have and blame others for those problems that they themselves create. In order to know if someone can share traits of a psychopath and a narcissist, this must imply that they share traits of these two mental disorders:

What is a narcissist like? Definition

A narcissistic It is mainly defined by a pattern of behavior that tends to have a great need for attention from others and that also usually lacks empathy towards others. What identifies a narcissist are the following attitudes.

  1. Too high self-esteem: They are people who exaggerate their personal achievements and abilities.
  2. Unreal beliefs: They tend to see themselves as having a special status, higher than others.
  3. Excessive need for admiration: They usually need others to admire them to validate their idealized thoughts about themselves.
  4. Handling: Narcissists are perverse because they usually manipulate others to obtain what they want so much.
  5. Lack of empathy: Although a narcissist with his phrases and behaviors can cause a lot of harm to others, he does not feel remorse for it.

A narcissistic They tend to monopolize conversations as well as belittle the people around them because they consider them to be inferior to them.

Keys to identifying narcissistic psychopaths

What is a sociopath like? Definition

The sociopathy or psychopathy It is defined as a person who has a generalized behavior with a tendency to depreciate others. Some of the characteristics of this toxic personality are the following.

  1. Failure to comply with social norms: A psychopathic personality is synonymous with repeated failure to comply with social norms.
  2. Lying and cheating: They usually lie or deceive others to achieve their goals.
  3. Impulsiveness: An emotionally psychopath is usually very impulsive in his decisions.
  4. Irritability and aggressiveness: Psychopaths have a tendency to be violent.
  5. Lack of regrets: Although the attitude or phrases of psychopaths can cause a lot of harm to others, they usually show indifference to the pain they can cause others.

The narcissistic psychopaths They often show several symptoms of psychopaths and narcissists. When you combine the personality characteristics of a psychopath with a narcissist, the result is a person who usually seeks power and control, as well as seeks the love and admiration of others to try to manipulate and dominate them. In many cases, this person will believe that they surpass those around them and therefore will feel that they have the right to treat them badly.

Difference between psychopaths and narcissists

The main difference that exists between these two disorders is that a narcissist will act this way in order to hide an inner pain. On the other hand, psychopaths or sociopaths use their tricks to achieve their own interests. Furthermore, psychopaths do not try to impress others, but will use you to achieve their goals. On the other hand, they will have everything calculated to manipulate others in favor of their personal goals.

Narcissistic psychopath in the couple

How to deal with a narcissistic sociopath in your partner, family or friends?

Many times narcissistic psychopaths They tend to identify very well those people who can respond best to their manipulations. In fact, people who suffer the attacks and phrases of narcissistic psychopaths often have the impression that perhaps this person is not as good as they seem at first glance. In these cases, psychologists recommend the following.

  • Don’t reinterpret the facts: Giving a narcissistic psychopath the benefit of the doubt is not a good idea. If you are clear that things have happened this way, don’t give in.
  • Work on your self-esteem and security: Sometimes having a relationship, whatever the nature, with someone who is psychopathic or narcissistic can lead to many problems with your self-esteem and personal security. Therefore, you should try to work on this aspect of yourself so that you are not influenced by their attacks.
  • Set limits: The key to making a psychopath, narcissist, or manipulator not influence you is to establish certain boundaries in the relationship.
  • Run away from the relationship: If the relationship is very abusive, it is important that you start to find a way to leave it behind.
  • Go to therapy: Sometimes you can’t run away or you can’t find a way to deal with a narcissistic sociopath. In these cases, it is important to try to go to a psychologist to find the best way out of this conflictive situation for your mental health.

Relationships with others can be very beneficial if they are developed with healthy attitudes and behaviors. In the case of living or being together with a narcissistic psychopath the damage can end up affecting your professional and personal life.

By citing this article, you acknowledge the original source and allow readers to access the full content.

PsychologyFor. (2024). What is a Narcissistic Psychopath Like? The 10 Psychological Traits That Identify Them. https://psychologyfor.com/what-is-a-narcissistic-psychopath-like-the-10-psychological-traits-that-identify-them/


  • This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.