Quiz: Am I Dating a Narcissist?

What is a narcissist?

A narcissist is someone who has a great sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, a belief that they deserve special treatment, and a lack of empathy for others.

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They seek attention and admiration while lacking the ability to understand or care about the feelings of other people. while they seem confident, they're actually unsure of their own self-worth and are very sensitive to criticism.

The difference between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder is whether or not the person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors significantly impair their day-to-day functioning. Narcissistic personality disorder is rare, but a greater number of people can display narcissistic traits on a spectrum, and these can be damaging to personal relationships as well.

How do I know if I’m dating a narcissist?

While you won't be able to diagnose your partner with narcissistic personality disorder just by interacting with them, trust your gut when it comes to observing traits that are on the spectrum of narcissism.

This questionnaire will help you to evaluate your relationship and your partner’s behavior. No matter what results you get, this questionnaire is meant to support you, help you build self-awareness, and give you some insight into your relationship with your partner.

Disclaimer: This quiz is not a diagnostic tool. If you believe that you or your partner may need additional support, please speak with a mental health professional.

Interested in help managing boundaries and healthy communication?

Use MyWellbeing to find an online therapist or coach who understands your unique needs and can support your well-being journey.

With our user-friendly platform, finding the right therapist has never been easier. Simply create an account, provide some basic information about yourself and your therapy preferences, and let our powerful search engine do the work. We'll match you with a curated list of therapists who align with your specific criteria, including location, specialties, and therapeutic approaches. Browse through detailed therapist profiles, read about their qualifications and experience, and take your time to make an informed decision.

"Grey rock" can be a technique for difficult relationships

The logic underlying the grey rock method is that manipulative and narcissistic individuals feed on response, emotion, and drama. Perhaps you were told growing up that schoolyard bullies were trying to provoke your response, and that if you ignored them, they would feel defeated and eventually retreat.

The same line of reasoning applies to the grey rock technique. When a person goes grey rock, they will refrain from showing any emotional response, thereby denying the abusive person a clear path to escalate the situation.

Match with a therapist who can help provide the support you deserve in navigating a difficult relationship.

Explore your well-being with these mental wellness tests

• Am I in a Toxic Relationship? This questionnaire will help you look at your relationship and see whether it might be filling your cup or draining it completely. While we can also have toxic relationships with friends, family, and coworkers, the language in this questionnaire is geared toward romantic relationships.
• Should We Go to Couples Therapy? There is no time like the present to learn more about your partner(s) and their background, learn more about your own needs and how to communicate them, and ultimately, grow closer and more intimate, together.
• Should I Speak with a Therapist? Take this brief quiz to learn whether you would benefit from therapy or coaching right now and why. If you find that you would benefit from speaking with a therapist or coach, we can connect you with a provider for a free consultation.

Suggested Reads

• How to Stand Your Ground in Relationships: Explore the importance of establishing boundaries, effective communication strategies, and practical tips to help you navigate relationships while staying true to yourself.
• What is the Grey Rock Method?: The phrase ‘grey rock’ is a metaphor for a way to deflect and/or defuse further abuse from a partner, a family member, or even a coworker. Simply put, it’s when a person who is enduring abuse purposely acts as boring as possible during encounters with their abuser.
• Toxic Positivity and Its Impact on Our Mental Health: As wonderful as looking on the bright side twenty-four hours a day might sound, toxic positivity is actually detrimental to our mental health. While hope and positivity are important, like everything else, there must be a balance. Here is some insight from our community of practitioners about toxic positivity, its impact on our mental health, and what we can do instead.