Free Action Steps

Today's post comes to us thanks to a question submitted by a reader who believes that his girlfriend may be a narcissist, or at least behave like one more often than not. He'd like to know if she's a narcissist because he doesn't want to find himself wasting time in an unhealthy relationship. Totally understandable. 

Here's the thing. While narcissistic personality is a real personality disorder, there's also the idea that narcissism can exist as a feature. For example, someone might have borderline personality and there may be narcissistic features. Not to mention the fact that at least some narcissism is said to exist in every human being (to a certain degree, anyway) as a mechanism for survival.

When your significant other distances themselves from you, the reasons behind their behavior can vary depending on the circumstances. In any romantic relationship, there are instances where one or both parties may require some space. I understand that it can be worrisome, as you may start to wonder about your partner's thoughts or actions. This can lead to a perceived emotional gap between the two of you, prompting you to crave communication such as a text message, a FaceTime chat, or a brief coffee date to prevent further detachment. You may be sitting around, literally watching the clock, worrying when they will reach back out to you.