Camilla Jessen
Experts say narcissists often don’t mind admitting it.
Meeting new people can be exciting.
We all have different personalities, and while some may click better than others, even the differences can teach us something. But every now and then, we come across people who are hard to deal with.
Narcissistic personality disorder, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a mental health condition where someone has an inflated sense of their own importance, craves constant attention and admiration, and often lacks empathy for others.
While some traits may be easy to spot, it can still be tricky to tell who is truly narcissistic and who isn’t.
Psychologist reveals the key question to ask
Dr. Julia Shaw, a criminal psychologist and host of Murder in Mind on the True Crime Channel, says there’s one simple question that can actually reveal if someone is a narcissist.
In a video interview with LADbible, Dr. Shaw said, “How do you spot a narcissist? Ask them.”
She explained that one question — “Are you a narcissist?” — can be surprisingly effective.
According to Shaw, narcissists will often say yes, and explain it in a way that reflects how they see themselves.
“A narcissist would probably answer, ‘Yeah, but like, I am better than most people,’” she said. “It’s that overconfidence, it’s that thinking you’re great and better than you actually are.”
Most narcissists don’t think it’s a bad thing
This idea isn’t new.
A 2014 study from Ohio State University backed up Shaw’s claim.
The researchers found that asking, “How narcissistic are you?” could be enough to measure narcissistic traits.
“People who are narcissists are almost proud of the fact,” said study co-author Brad Bushman. “They don’t see narcissism as a bad thing. They believe they’re superior, and they’ll say it openly.”
So if you’re ever wondering whether someone might be a narcissist, one direct question could give you the answer.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
