Narcissism Or Pride? – Spotting the Differences
Is it Narcissism or Pride? If you know someone who is self-centered, self-obsessed, and has a preoccupancy with selfish thoughts then you might confuse them with being narcissistic. But these may also be a part of self-pride. So how to spot the difference between Narcissism and Pride? Is the person affected by Narcissism or is it just their Pride making them so?
Knowing the differences between Narcissism and Pride would make it easier to know whether you are dealing with someone who is suffering from a mental health disorder or if is it just their pride acting up.
Narcissism is on the rise with every coming day. Narcissism is a deep-rooted personality trait. Many incidents show the rise of Narcissistic Personality Disorder in the past 10 years. This makes it evident that Narcissism is widespread and we are amidst a serious situation where personality disorder has become a common cause for commotion in the social circle or society.
Thus narcissism is a growing concern among people, and it may be upsetting for an individual when a person from their family suffers from narcissism. It becomes a bigger concern than. How can you tell the difference between a proud person and a narcissist? Here a few points of differences have been discussed, to distinguish more effortlessly.
Narcissism Or Pride? – Spotting the Differences
Pride is a feeling or an emotion of satisfaction that is derived from achievements, or achievements of others with whom the association is close or it may also stem from possessions and qualities that one may possess.
Narcissism is a personality disorder that is a clinically proven mental health illness, which requires a diagnosis to claim someone as a narcissist. Narcissists feel that they are more special and entitled than others and thus they deserve everything in priority and are better than others. Narcissists are completely self-obsessed and always have this superior sense of being great and entitled than others.
Dealing with the emotion of pride can be messy and frustrating sometimes, but it may be significantly different and uncomplicated compared to dealing with narcissistic personality disorder.
Let us know a few more points of difference to make the comparison more upright.
1. Differentiation through the perception of fulfilling Needs
Personal needs and their fulfillment can really tell how a person may be perceived by others. Needs are meant to be fulfilled not by harming others or doing something malicious just to get what you want, but needs are meant to be fulfilled keeping in mind other people’s needs and perspectives too.
There are a few factors like materialism and monetary needs, being the center of attention, compromising, blame games, and the feeling of entitlement. These factors can be used to make a fair comparison between a narcissist and a proud based on the fulfillment of their needs.
For a narcissist physical and emotional needs are their top priority even though they may be harming everyone around them. Narcissists fulfill their needs at other people’s expense.
Narcissism varies from pride, as pride stems from feelings of accomplishment while narcissism stems from feelings of entitlement.
Let us know a few factors and make the comparison stronger through some points,
Materialism and Monetary Needs
A narcissist would like to have expensive things and would spend money haphazardly. They would act as if they have a lot of money whereas in reality, they might not. They would spend the money on trivial things just to enhance their self-image reserved for something more important or for someone more important. Narcissists need gratification in the form of materialistic achievements.
This need for materialistic fulfillment is not a pre-eminent trait for a proud person, even though they may take love to take pride in their success.
Being the center of attention
A narcissist needs constant attention from others, and they would not be ready to compromise anywhere.
While a proud person would some attention from others, their need for seeking attention is limited.
Compromising
Narcissism and compromise are polar opposite words. Narcissists believe that they are never wrong, and thus would not compromise. But if they do, they would create conflicts.
A proud person may put their pride aside when compromising can improve the situation.
Blaming others
Narcissists would never accept their fault. If something might not go as planned then the narcissist might simply transfer the blame to others. They may easily hold someone else responsible for their own misfortune.
When it is a matter of pride vs. narcissism, a proud person may or may not accept blame, but it is definite that a narcissist would never accept the blame.
Others must be lesser than them so they can prove their worth and be more
Narcissists have this tendency to insult others just to boost their self-worth and self-esteem. They would never appreciate others and constantly flaunt their own achievements even though it includes minimizing other people’s accomplishments.
Proud people may celebrate everyone’s achievements especially if they are a part of the success. They would not make others feel worthless in the process.
2. Arrogance and Self-centeredness
Proud people would feel accomplished and good about themselves if they have achieved something meaningful and would celebrate their success. Narcissists may always be good about themselves despite the toxicity and abuse they bring.
Narcissists usually have a strong, positive, and hardly disrupted self-image. They view themselves as someone who is much more worthy than others and have confidence in what they believe. Narcissists feel that everyone should view them in the same vein as they view themselves.
Appearance
Taking pride in good looks is a common and acceptable trait, but narcissists just take it to the next level. They are obsessed with how they look and appear all the time. They need to look their best no matter what. They are always engaged in the way they dress, their hygiene, their style, and how they impress people with their style statements. When people do not appreciate them enough, they would constantly promote their image and style.
While a proud person may take pride in the way they look they do not make a big deal out of it, unlike the narcissist.
Being the center of attraction
Narcissists always like to be in the limelight no matter the situation. Even if someone else is celebrated around them, they would never appreciate them, rather highlight their own achievements, degrading other people’s victories.
A normal proud person would never sabotage someone else’s victories and achievements. They can decide whether or not to praise others, but would never degrade or overshadow other people’s success with their own.
Arrogance
Arrogance is a trait that can be identified by the sense of boastful and condescending nature. Narcissists often belittle and insult others, amplify their own abilities, display their accomplishments by overvaluing them, and tend to establish their dominance. It is a concept of patronizing others with haughty behavior. A narcissist thinks that they are more worthy, superior, and better in every aspect than others.
While a proud person may not be specifically arrogant with others just out of pride.
The Victim Mentality
Narcissists are storytellers and they may always tell tales from their perspective which helps them seek empathy from others, promoting their victim mentality. They may never be able to accept their defeat and would never take the blame.
Proud may make it difficult sometimes for a person to admit their failure, but they would never blame others just to boost their self-image.
Nil Tolerance
A narcissist finds it really difficult to accept any sort of criticism. They hardly can take any sort of feedback, so criticism is not their strong pursuit. They might be enraged when someone criticizes them as they think criticism is a direct attack on their self-belief of being perfect and superior beings.
While a prideful person may not readily accept criticism, they would be able to process it further and may come to terms with it. They would accept criticism if it is beneficial to them or their success.
3. Improvement or Destruction?
One of the most efficient to make the difference between narcissism and pride issues is by noting the reaction or outcome of the work and romantic relationship balance.
Narcissists are the destructors of relationships as they are unable to maintain healthy relationships with their partners.
Narcissists are extremely complex and have complicated relationships. They are self-absorbed and all they do is care for their own selves.
Relationships are a narcissist’s way of releasing or diverting all their anger, emotional turmoil, hatred, and toxicity, otherwise, they would just go crazy or explode with all that emotional disturbance inside. They need a release and relationships are their gateway. And that is the reason why a narcissist can replace you easily and quickly move on to their next relationship without even blinking. Thus their relationships are destructive for their partners.
Narcissists would never be the responsible partner for the relationships. They always delegate physical, emotional, financial, and work responsibilities to their partners. They do not like any additional responsibilities added to their routine and thus narcissists run away from taking responsibilities.
A proud person worked hard to maintain their relationships efficiently. They constantly work hard to maintain their work-life balance and may also support their partners. They may maintain healthy romantic relationships and would never skip taking responsibility.
A prideful person may view work and relationships in different prioritizing each in time of need. They would constantly juggle to maintain harmony between both. The time spent in maintaining a balance is an asset for them and not an additional responsibility.
Final Thoughts – Knowing the Difference
Dealing with the emotion of pride can be messy and frustrating sometimes, but it may be significantly different and uncomplicated compared to dealing with narcissistic personality disorder.
Pride is a feeling or an emotion of satisfaction that is derived from achievements, or achievements of others with whom the association is close or it may also stem from possessions and qualities that one may possess.
Narcissism is a personality disorder that is a clinically proven mental health illness, which requires a diagnosis to claim someone as a narcissist. Narcissists feel that they are more special and entitled than others and thus they deserve everything in priority and are better than others. Narcissists are completely self-obsessed and always have this superior sense of being great and entitled than others.
From Relationship, Depression, and Personality Disorder to Narcissistic problems, I have helped a lot of people find their solutions. Upon gathering a number of common problems that people face, I decided to put the information on this blog so that anyone can get their answers easily.
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