Can a narcissist maintain a relationship?

Is it ever possible to have a healthy relationship with a narcissist? If we are talking about a person who meets the criteria for NPD listed above, the answer would have to be 'no'. It's difficult to have a genuine and loving connection with someone who makes everything about him or her.
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Can a narcissist sustain a relationship?

Narcissists can develop positive feelings toward their partner, although many have trouble sustaining a relationship more than six months to a few years.
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How long can a narcissist maintain a relationship?

Narcissists lose interest as the expectation of intimacy increases, or when they've won at their game. Many have trouble sustaining a relationship for more than six months to a few years. They prioritize power over intimacy and loathe vulnerability, which they consider weak.
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Do relationships with narcissists last?

According to Dr. Darlene Lancer, many narcissists can only sustain a relationship for six months to a few years (at the most). Keep in mind, though, we're talking about one four-stage cycle. Too often, a narcissist will initiate the cycle again, training their target to expect them to come back.
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How do narcissists stay in relationships?

Loving a narcissist can be rewarding as well as difficult. These ideas can help.
  1. Listen to yourself—carefully. ...
  2. Do a self-inventory. ...
  3. Reinforce positive behavior. ...
  4. Practice mindfulness yourself and bring it into your relationship. ...
  5. Be realistic. ...
  6. Be honest with yourself.
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Can a narcissist be faithful?

Loyal. Narcissists require loyalty. That being said, the loyalty is only one way. Many narcissists demand loyalty from their partners, while hypocritically betraying the relationship themselves; sometimes by even cheating on their partners, with no remorse.
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How do you know if a narcissist is finished with you?

How to Know if a Narcissist Is Finished with You
  • They show no emotion.
  • They criticize you constantly.
  • They blame you for everything.
  • They're always irritated or angry.
  • They pick fights over trivial things.
  • They take advantage of you.
  • They withhold physical affection.
  • They accuse you of cheating.
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Will a narcissist ever regret losing you?

Realize that people with NPD can't feel regret. Come to terms with the fact that you can't make them feel a certain way. Push yourself to move on because the narcissist won't miss you—they'll miss whatever they were getting from you. Unfortunately, people with NPD can't give genuine love.
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How narcissists treat their exes?

Narcissists are well known for playing mind games because they help to reinforce their hold over their current or past victims. They'll resort to love bombing, self-esteem reduction, and emotional manipulation to keep their ex under the thumb.
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How does a narcissist stay married for so long?

1. The charm. The narcissist's initial charm is the reason why a narcissist married in the first place, and it's also likely to be the answer to how narcissists stay married. It might seem strange that somebody who displays such ugly characteristics can have the level of charm that a narcissist can display.
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How do narcissists act in long term relationships?

Professor Brad Bushman of the Ohio State University put it bluntly, when he said: “Narcissists are very bad relationship partners.” Studies show that in a narcissistic relationship, your partner is more likely to engage in manipulative or game playing behaviors and less likely to be committed long-term.
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Will narcissist come back after breaking relationship?

Do Narcissists Come Back to Relationships? Yes, they often do come back to relationships. A narcissist will repeat their cycle of abuse as long as they need you as a supply. Even their distressing discard performance will leave you in a firm belief they're done with you; a narcissist will come back.
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Why does the narcissist stay with his partner?

But as clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula points out, narcissists often have a habit of staying in contact with their exes in a way that is solely about their own needs. "The central motivator for narcissists is validation," she explains. "And an ex is often a really interesting place to get it...
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Will a narcissist ever commit?

There is a popular belief that “Narcissists rarely commit suicide. When a Narcissist threatens to do this, it's generally as a means of manipulation” (Saeed 2014). However, studies suggest that NPD is associated with suicidal behavior (Stone 1989, Links et al. 2003, Heisel et al.
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Can you have a successful marriage with a narcissist?

Many people with narcissistic personality disorder appear to be in a successful and happy marriage. Their social media posts show them laughing together over a special dinner, walking hand-in-hand along the beach, and even renewing their marriage vows in front of friends and family.
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Can a narcissist change for love?

Can a narcissist change for love? They can, but that doesn't always mean they will. If your partner is making positive changes to learn how to stop being a narcissist, you will be able to see your relationship improve.
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Do narcissist miss their ex?

Do narcissists miss their ex after No Contact? Now you might be thinking that the narcissist really misses you and the answer is yes, they do but not the way you hope. As we explained above, you were their source of narcissistic supply — a source of love, admiration, and praise.
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Will a narcissist change for a new relationship?

According to psychologists, therapists and neuroscientists, narcissists can never change.
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What happens to a narcissist when they get old?

Hall, author of “The Narcissist in Your Life: Recognizing the Patterns and Learning to Break Free,” narcissists become more extreme versions of their worst selves as they age, which includes becoming more desperate, deluded, paranoid, angry, abusive, and isolated.
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What triggers the narcissist to want you back?

They may be pretending like they want you back just to get a reaction out of you, just to see if they still have some power over you, if they can still control you. Seeing that they're still able to control your emotions will make them feel powerful.
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Does a narcissist ever let go of a victim?

Narcissists tire of their victims when they've exhausted their supply of care, money, or whatever else they were after. As quickly as they entered your life, they leave it, which can leave the victim incredibly confused, broken, and lost.
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Do narcissists have friends?

Do Narcissists Have Friends? Yes, but as you have read from the definition of friendship, the nature of their condition does not allow narcissists to have true friends. Narcissists have a lack of empathy, they may sit and listen to a friend's problems, but they will quickly make that conversation about themselves.
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When the narcissist knows you have figured him out?

2. They exude manipulative behaviors. When a narcissist is exposed or when the narcissist knows you have figured him out, they will never admit the truth even if it is staring them in the face. A narcissist will lay several false accusations and try to make him right.
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Will a narcissist miss you?

The answer can also be no in that a true narcissist doesn't really miss you as a person; they miss how you made them feel. You were a source of narcissistic supply and provided them with positive feelings. They miss having someone around that they can control and squeeze that supply from whenever they need it.
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What kind of woman does a narcissist marry?

A narcissistic man is attracted to someone who looks beautiful and accomplished—not because they like that person, but because her appearance and accomplishments fuel his ego. However, a narcissist also wants a woman who isn't too confident because he wants to run the show.
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