April 04, 2010
~By an eHow Contributing Writer
When someone close to you has narcissistic personality 
you can feel like you’re the one who’s mentally ill. A narcissist
manipulates you and everyone else around him to maintain his own sense
of worth. Though people with narcissistic personality disorder are often
highly intelligent and charming, they’re much like toddlers in
their emotional development, insisting that they are the center of the
world.
Instructions
-
Step 1
Realize that narcissistic personality disorder is a real
disorder that makes the one suffering from it behave in ways that aren’t
typical of an average person. At the same time, a narcissist attempts
to make you feel like you’re the one with a problem, if not a full-blown
mental illness. -
Step 2
Understand that the nature of the disorder makes it nearly
impossible for a person suffering from it to seek treatment. If he does
seek treatment, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll change his ways.
Instead, he will often attempt to use what his therapist says to
discredit and devalue other people in his life. -
Step 3
Decide to have no contact with the narcissist, if possible.
Because you can’t change the narcissist, you should stay away from him
to keep your own mental health and stability. Ignore him in social
settings, don’t answer the door if he shows up at your house, don’t
answer the phone when he calls and don’t return emails. If you live with
him and it’s possible, either move out or demand that he does. -
Step 4
Avoid discussions with the narcissist unless you have a
witness and the discussion is absolutely required, such as for legal
reasons. People with narcissistic personality disorder are masters of
manipulation whether it’s actively manipulating you or twisting your
words so they mean something other than what you actually intend. -
Step 5
Join a support group to help you realize you’re not alone.
While those around you who know the person with narcissistic personality
disorder may be taken in by his charm and think you’re the one with a
problem, other people who’ve had close relationships with narcissists
share your experience and can help you feel stronger. -
Step 6
Attend therapy to heal from the abuse you suffered at the
hands of the narcissist. Most narcissists are also abusers, generally
abusing you emotionally until you feel like a deeply flawed person. They
may also be physical abusers. A skilled therapist can help you recover
from the abuse and return to feeling like yourself again. -
Step 7
Figure out why you were so drawn to the person with
narcissistic personality disorder so you can avoid it in the future.
Narcissists are generally charming people who seem to be
larger-than-life, who exude excitement and who may offer excessive
compliments. At the same time, though, you can often perceive that they
lack genuine emotion and engagement even when you first meet them.
