10 signs that your adult child is a narcissist, according to psychology

Although narcissists are often overlooked, p little-known studies parents of one of them may disagree about their daily life and behavior. Not only are narcissists more likely to engage in self-serving behaviors such as manipulation and condescending remarks, they are also willing to compromise close relationships in order to boost their ego or assert their superiority.

Although this parental relationship is extremely important, how Neurological studies show they inherently unite us with an innate sense of trust; Having a narcissistic child can weigh you down with guilt, make you feel unworthy, and make you feel underappreciated as a parent. According to psychology, recognizing the signs that your adult child is a narcissist can help you set better boundaries.

Here are 10 signs that your adult child is a narcissist, according to psychology:

1. They act impulsively

Disappointed narcissistic woman looking disappointed at home. Karolina Kabumpiks | CanvaPro

If you notice that your adult child is quick to make important decisions, from a new relationship to making a big purchase or booking a plane ticket, when they have free hours, they may have narcissistic tendencies. More concerned with the outcome of a major life change or decision—the attention of others—narcissists dismiss the important prelude to their adoption.

AND a journal published by the National Library of Medicine claims that overconfident personalities and strong egos often push them to make such bad decisions. With a combination of impulsivity, rejection of expert advice, and false superiority, they are more likely to misjudge a situation and make a decision that harms themselves or others.

An inability to take responsibility for these decisions can also be a sign that your adult child is a narcissist, according to psychological research, as they often shifting blame and using false confidence protect your image.

2. They are extroverted and sociable

Fizkes | Shutterstock.com

Having an inherent need for attention and validation from others, narcissists often have a large circle of friends, colleagues and acquaintances, which is constantly growing.

According to A Journal of Psychological Inquiry, published in 2001these energetic, outgoing, and extroverted tendencies are typical of someone with a narcissistic personality—they thrive on being appreciated or admired by others.

As a parent, you may notice this need for external validation early in your child’s life, as they are often more expressive in conversation, alarmingly assertive, and have high energy levels.

In adulthood, this can manifest itself in many ways, but most often as an overconfidence that by its very nature tends to attract others, especially with deep-rooted insecurity which correspond to the inner turmoil of the narcissist. That’s why narcissistic employees often get a higher salary and promotion — they are willing to do anything to please their bosses and present themselves as the most competent and self-confident.

3. They lack true empathy

Solemn narcissistic adult woman in public. Blvdone | Shutterstock.com

Despite having better emotional recognition than the average person, respectively journal Front PsychiatryMost narcissists are not genuinely empathetic, such as the ability to pick up on someone else’s sadness or vulnerability. Although they may pretend, research shows, to support other people’s emotions, this is often based on self-serving activities such as manipulation.

Thus, while they can recognize and acknowledge other people’s emotions, they are unwilling to support them unless it helps them maintain an internal superiority complex or take advantage.

AND a fundamental aspect of our connection with othersit can be difficult to come to terms with your adult child’s lack of empathy as a parent. With damaged boundaries, you will continue to feel the guilt and shame that comes with every interaction, but with the right support, you can move forward and maintain a healthier relationship.

4. They feel entitled to your time and energy

A mother comforts a narcissistic adult child at home. JJ-stockstudio | Shutterstock.com

This is especially true for parents of adult narcissistic children, many people in their lives feel burdened by the constant need for attention, help, support and affection. Narcissists feel that they are inherently entitled to everyone’s time, space, and energy, but especially to the people they have developed relationships with over the course of their lives.

Without healthy boundaries in their relationship, these parents will do anything to help their children, but more often than not they will take advantage of and shame them. Narcissistic children may even use their diagnosis as a means of blaming their parents, claiming that they are to blame for needing help or for being in the situation they are in.

However, how research article from PNAS argues that the origins of narcissism in children are multifaceted and inherently complex. Although the behavior of parents can really affect the lives of their children, it is not entirely to blame for the presence of narcissistic traits.

5. They are capricious

Moody woman looks upset while sitting on sofa. Faalguni Mandal | CanvaPro

with fragile egos and deep-seated insecuritiesnarcissists who do not receive enough attention or validation from others often struggle with intense mood swings and frustration.

Of course, even when they receive such attention from others, most of their relationships are superficial in nature—driven by their own needs and manipulation tactics—perpetuating a cycle of isolation in their lives that also causes moodiness, depression, and anxiety.

6. They use your triggers and insecurities against you

Adult father sad and disappointed on sofa. Andriy Zastrozhnov | Shutterstock.com

Given that their ability to read people extends to any situation, many narcissists can use people’s vulnerabilities against them in arguments or conflicts. If your adult child knows that you have a hard time yelling, they will get louder and louder until they get what they want.

If they know about your insecurities about your body, relationships, or even work, they’ll be the first to attack those things when you set boundaries, say no, or try to blame them for their behavior.

7. They often use swear words or inappropriate language

A narcissistic man shouts during an argument. Joaquin Corbalan P | Shutterstock.com

According to the data, narcissists often use more profanity, profanity, and profanity than the average person. study from the Journal of Language and Social Psychologynot only because they are more confident and self-assured in their ability to do whatever they want, but because they seek attention.

A tendency to swear, whether because they don’t care or just looking for attention, is one important sign that your adult child is a narcissist, according to the psychology of self-serving behavior. It can also be characterized by the narcissist’s inability to trust even close relationships such as their friends or parents.

They will swear at a family member during an argument, even when they are lying because they are do not want to justify their deliberate deception. They are willing to manipulate other people into thinking they are being truthful.

8. They “love to bomb” you

Mother and narcissistic adult child hugging and smiling. Nuva frames | Shutterstock.com

Although many people only understand “love bombing” or “intermittent reinforcement” in the context of romantic relationships, it can also appear in platonic and parental relationships.

Adult narcissistic children may give their parents gifts, spend a lot of time with them, and pretend to support them with conversations, advice, and even forced sympathy, but this is just their way of conditioning.

They want you to feel involved and more importantly indebted to them every step of the way, so they will use “love bombing” to win your favor. This cycle of reinforcement is not only manipulative in all kinds of relationships; According to psychology, this is one of the most obvious signs that your adult child is a narcissist.

9. They rely on you for validation and confidence building

A narcissistic adult man sits with his mother on a laptop. Fizkes | Shutterstock.com

According to the book Psychological perspectives of praisesome adult children inherit narcissistic tendencies because their parents “praise too much” while growing up. Although this is rarely the only reason they become a narcissist, this behavior and cycle of reinforcement often continues into adulthood.

Narcissistic adult children will continue to seek validation and attention from their parents, especially when they can’t get it from others—from intense praise for their careers to superficial compliments about their looks, they will crave it.

10. They ruin special occasions and holidays

A narcissistic woman looks upset next to her mother. ViDI Studio | Shutterstock.com

With a selfish, “all about themselves” attitude, narcissistic adult children hate sharing the spotlight with other people, events, and holidays. They often sabotage gatherings that are not dedicated exclusively to them.

Whether they’re engaging in attention-grabbing activities, talking to bystanders, or generally causing chaos, they’re not shy about setting the tone for their need for validation. But don’t call them out for it, like Research by ScienceDirect suggest because most narcissists become even more turned on when they are assigned to feel embarrassed in group settings.

Zaida Slabbeckorn is a news and entertainment writer at YourTango, focusing on health and wellness, social policy, and people-interest stories.