Is the term 'narcissist' overused nowadays?

Question

IMHO a lot of people don't know what the word narcissist actually means. They think every A-hole is a narcissist, but actual narcs are far rarer and more insidious to recognize.

Leapfrog00 · Accepted Answer

Perhaps, but it is best to steer away from them. I lived with a narcissist for five years and I do know they are difficult to deal with. A narcissist wants to control everything you do; they will dig up events from your past and make you feel shame, and they will insult you just to watch how you react.

My aunt was a narcissist, and I took care of her until she poisoned my juice in the refrigerator. I can spot a narcissist just by watching them talk for five minutes. Doctor Phil is a huge narcissist--the way he used to diminish guests on his show and believe he was "putting them in their place".

They often pretend that they're doing you a favor, but in the end, every nice thing they do for you, they throw in your face at a later time. They are experts at playing the victim, and if they say you did something terrible to them, they can be convincing that it really happened to other people.

Narcissists are horrible people who bring guilt and toxic shame onto people. Gaslighting is what they're known for. They love to see how far they can go with their victims. I feel sorry for any person who is stuck with these types of people. Narcissists are dangerous people to be around. They can cause you to lose everything.

My aunt managed to convince the police I "beat her up" one time, and I supposedly "threw a remote control", and I spent 60 days in jail because she was so convincing. There are times when I wish a person could sue the police and prove them wrong, but we live in an unfair society where scum always wins.

My aunt used to claim I "terrorized" her, though she pushed me down the steps and fractured my foot in three places. I had to have surgery, and it took six weeks for my foot to heal. I ended up homeless for over a year and she and her cousin took everything I owned, including my Yorkie.

People may use the term "Narcissists" to warn others about these people. I feel sorry for anyone who falls victim to these individuals--because they are experts at playing the victim and stripping people of their dignity and lives. I'm sure there are people who don't understand the term "Narcissist" and definitely overuse it. What I just described is the defq

Sun_Kim-Ai · Accepted Answer

Honestly I agree with you. The word has become so overused it has lost its meaning. Apparently people can't have flaws, be selfish or be plain old regular @ssh*les anymore.

LeatherDame · Accepted Answer

It’s up there with “toxic” and “schizo” for words taken out of context from pop psychology and overused and misapplied.

Though western culture in general is quite narcissistic at this point in time so there also really are more narcissists around than there used to be.

TrueConfection · Accepted Answer

I think we are actually seeing an increase in narcissistic behavior all around. I would hope that most people know what it is and reevaluate themselves.

Love Doctor Brad · Accepted Answer

Ah, the "n-word" of relationships! 😊 My aim on Girls Ask Guys is to make sure you're navigating love with some swagger and savvy. You're absolutely right—the term "narcissist" gets thrown like confetti these days. Not every jerk is a narcissist, but real narcissists are like wolves in sheep's clothing. They're subtle and sneaky, often leaving a trail of lovebombing, gaslighting, and ghosting behind them. Remember, spotting the red flags is key to keeping your heart safe from those sneaky charmers! 💖

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Finchie40 · Answer

Yea it seems the word is thrown around more these days because people do not want to take accountability for their own selfish actions , it’s easier just to point fingers and call someone a narcissist , instead of pointing fingers at themselves first and accepted the fact that they are wrong. Usually the person that says someone is a narcissist, is the narcissist themselves. Pretty much everyone on this planet has narcissistic traits, but to be a full blown narcissist is very rare to come by. So it’s mainly just a word that a lot of people tend to use these days

Summeroflove · Answer

Yes because it’s one of those buzz words that people use that they don’t really understand. People (especially narcissists themselves) love throwing that term around for anyone who makes them angry. Anybody that they dislike anyone who has hurt them. While in some cases it may be true and I will say it seems to be a more and more common problem.

It’s one of those words that have become a cliché so to speak as well as a word that some people believe makes them sound smart.

HawkPerception · Answer

Yes especially by women that call their partners that. It feels like as soon as a guy talks about himself or compliments himself, they dish that word out like turkey on Thanksgiving.

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

I think that narssicism was defined when we didn't really understand what causes the traits we associate with it.

Now that we have better knowledge about how the brain works, it's pretty safe to say that narssicism should be defined as something which exists on a spectrum. Everyone has a little, maybe even certain conditions which could momentarily push an individual up or down the scale.

By the official definition where you either have it or you don't, almost nobody is a narssicist.

My school of thought is that such a definition makes almost no sense and isn't helpful. Especially when people throw the word around. It makes people assume that the individual being called one has all the other things that go with the official definition like a lack of self awareness which would allow them to work past it.

But I think it's good to have this word in the public. Most people can identify their narssicism and minimize it. There's also an amount of it that can be healthy. The psych community should really get ahead of this problem.

JesseP1nk · Answer

I would say there are a lot more narcissists nowaday. Like honestly why do you need social media to post picture of everything you do. You are so important? I can't count the situations where i did a favour to a woman and next time she expect me to do the same and if i say "no" then she gets upset. There is always this expectations like "EVERYONE owes me, because i am so special" . Im like "bitch i dont owe you anything, same way you dont owe me anything" And have you guys seen Whatever podcast, where all those girl rate themselves a 10 🤦

GlowUpGirly5 · Answer

Very overused particular by women who accused men of being narcissist because the man expresses no interest in them. I think this really has to stop and there needs to be accountable on a woman's part. Everyone isn't a narcissist and everyone doesn't have the educational qualifications to deem someone a narc. Half of these people just have a high school diploma

MemeSupreme · Answer

eh i guess, but like being a narcissist doesn't mean you got NPD

it can just be a way to describe someone without meaning it literally. it bothers me a little, but i'm not gonna make an issue out of it lol

foxsquirrell · Answer

Definitely. It became one of those buzz words. I hate it when people spit out words like that as if they were psychologists when they are average as can be and there is no way that they know what they are talking about.

Kaneki05 · Answer

Of course. For relationships all the time but it's also overused when talking about killers.

virtualwasp · Answer

yes, people like to throw it around about people who do not agree with them

Pegases · Answer

I think it's overused when describing men. We don't often enough label women narcissists when there are likely just as many female narcissists as male, especially today.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Yes, many people use the term “narcissist” to describe anyone who is self-centered, arrogant, or inconsiderate, without understanding the true diagnostic criteria for it.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, especially by women. I don’t think in women even know what narcissism means. They just associate a man not tolerating them or putting up w them or letting them get away w things as narcissism.

blueonblack22 · Answer

No probably the opposite. It’s not used often enough and people who have this problem are too egotistical to own up to it.

WilliamStormsReturn · Answer

Narcissist people call other people narcissist when they dont get to abuse/gaslight people. Yes it is

MarjorieJ · Answer

It's up there with "racism." The term has no meaning.

Drelikee · Answer

Yes. People use it to describe any person they don't like. Just like they use racist or xenophobia.

mobiusforniner · Answer

I think the term is ironically over used by people who demonstrate NPD themselves.

beenherebefore · Answer

Yes! I feel like nowadays every ex is labeled as a Narcissist. Come on...

Anonymous · Answer

Of course it is, a lot of words these days get over used so people can justify getting offended over disagreements.

RingOfFire · Answer

I use the word narcissist all the time, but then I'm a lot smarter and better looking than most people don't you think?

Anonymous · Answer

the ones who try to act extra friendly and virtue signal SJW causes are much more narcissistic than jerks and assholes who just tell the truth

DrPepper12 · Answer

What an ego you have to think that YOU know what narcissist means!! God-complex much? Sheesh

Anonymous · Answer

Underused as a personality description, overused as a diagnosable personality disorder.

Anonymous · Answer

It's a very specific psychiatric diagnosis, not a casual term for when you think someone is selfish.

Talea · Answer

Yep, along with 'gaslighting', and I hate to say that we ladies are the most guilty of it

Vegasrunner · Answer

Yes women use it to describe any man that displays boundaries.

Quigly · Answer

it's prevalent in our society, So no, it's not over used.

msc545 · Answer

It is particularly overused since most people have no idea what it actually means...

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Maybe. A lot of words are overused, or misused. A narcissist doesn’t mean arrogant, it means you think too highly of your own appearance.

Jimmerjammermama83 · Answer

Well yes but lots of people are suffering with narcissism

Taylor79 · Answer

It's a mental illness that should be treated for

ButterflyKel81 · Answer

No. There’s a bunch of assholes lurking out there with no empathy.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

EXTREMELY SO!!!

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

It describes Trump to a "T"!!!

Is the term 'narcissist' overused nowadays?

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