10 Signs Your Boyfriend Might Be A Narcissist

Have you ever felt like your boyfriend is a bit too focused on himself, or maybe doesn’t really understand or care about your feelings? 

If you’re noticing some behaviors that make you uncomfortable, it might be because he has narcissistic traits. 

This article will explore ten signs that could suggest your boyfriend might be a narcissist.

Narcissists often act in ways that are hard to deal with. They might always want to be the center of attention, or get upset if you spend time with other people. 

They might not say “thank you” for the things you do, or they could make you feel bad about yourself through constant criticism. 

Understanding these signs can help you see more clearly how he really acts in your relationship.

So, let’s dive into these ten signs to help you figure out if your boyfriend’s behavior matches up with typical narcissistic traits. 

Knowing these signs will not only make sense of things you’ve been feeling but also help you decide how to handle the situation. Let’s get started!

1. He Always Wants to Be the Center of Attention

You might notice that your boyfriend often tries to steal the spotlight, no matter the situation. 

Whether you are at a small gathering with friends or a big family event, he seems to find a way to shift all attention back to himself. 

This could be through telling stories where he’s the hero, or by exaggerating his accomplishments to impress those around him.

Also, he might get upset or moody if someone else starts getting more attention. This shows that not only does he want to be in the limelight, but he might also feel threatened when others are. 

2. He Often Gaslights You

Notice if your boyfriend denies things you know are true. This is called gaslighting, and it’s a common tactic used by narcissists to make you doubt your own memory and sanity. 

For example, he might do something upsetting, but later insists it never happened or that you’re remembering it wrong. This can make you question yourself instead of questioning his behavior.

Gaslighting can leave you feeling confused and unsure about what’s real. 

You might start relying on him to define reality, which increases his control and diminishes your self-confidence. 

Narcissists use this method to keep the upper hand in the relationship and avoid being challenged.

[Also Read: 15 Signs Of A Controlling Boyfriend]

3. He Never Admits When He’s Wrong

Another troubling sign is his inability to admit mistakes. 

No matter how clear it is that he’s wrong, he will find ways to twist the story, blame someone else, or dismiss the issue altogether. 

Narcissists struggle with acknowledging their faults because it threatens their self-view as perfect or superior.

Even in situations where you might expect an apology, he might either ignore the need for one or react with anger instead of remorse. 

This refusal to take responsibility is damaging to relationships, as it prevents genuine resolution of conflicts and can leave you feeling unvalued and disrespected.

4. He Uses You to Fulfill His Emotional Needs

Your boyfriend might depend on you to meet all his emotional needs. 

Narcissists often treat people close to them as tools or extensions of themselves, not as individuals with their own feelings. 

You might find that he turns to you for comfort, validation, or to boost his ego, but doesn’t offer the same support in return.

This one-sided dynamic can be draining. You might feel like you’re giving a lot of emotional energy to keep him stable and happy, while your own needs are neglected. 

Narcissists rely on others to maintain their emotional balance but rarely reciprocate, leaving their partners feeling exhausted and unfulfilled.

[Related: 12 Signs Your Boyfriend Is Toxic]

5. He Expects Constant Praise and Admiration

Watch if your boyfriend needs continual praise and admiration. Narcissists thrive on the approval of others; they need constant affirmation to feel good about themselves. 

He might expect you to compliment him frequently, react dramatically if you don’t, or seek attention in ways that assure him he’s admired.

This demand for continuous validation can put a strain on your relationship. It’s exhausting to always bolster someone else’s ego, especially when your efforts are taken for granted. 

Narcissists often don’t recognize the burden this places on their partners, as they’re primarily focused on filling their own emotional voids.

6. He Lacks Empathy for Others

Another sign could be that your boyfriend doesn’t seem to understand or care about other people’s feelings. 

If you share something that’s bothering you, instead of offering comfort, he might dismiss it or turn the conversation back to himself. 

It can feel like your concerns are always minimized or ignored, which is painful when you need support.

Moreover, you might notice that he isn’t very supportive of others either. For example, if a friend is going through a tough time, he might show little interest or respond insensitively. 

This lack of empathy isn’t just about being unkind; it’s a failure to recognize and react appropriately to the emotions of others, which is a key trait often seen in narcissistic personalities.

[Read: 7 Strong Signs Your Friend Is Emotionally Manipulative]

7. He Reacts Poorly to Criticism

Pay attention to how your boyfriend reacts when someone criticizes him, even if it’s constructive and meant to help. 

He might become defensive very quickly or even lash out. Instead of using the feedback as a chance to improve, he sees it as an attack and might even try to turn the situation around to blame the other person.

Also, he could hold grudges against those who criticize him. If someone, whether it’s you or someone else, points out a mistake or suggests he could do something better, he might not let it go. 

8. He Feels Entitled to the Things You Do for Him

Pay attention if your boyfriend acts like he deserves everything you do for him, without showing gratitude. 

A narcissist often feels entitled to special treatment and believes they should be your priority. 

For example, he might expect you to drop everything to help him, or he might take your efforts for granted as if you owe him constant support. This entitlement reflects a lack of appreciation and respect for your time and effort.

He rarely says thank you or acknowledges your contributions because he views them as obligations rather than kindnesses. 

This behavior can make you feel undervalued and reinforce the imbalance in your relationship, where his needs and desires are always in the spotlight, overshadowing yours.

9. He Manipulates to Get His Way

Narcissists are often skilled at manipulating others to achieve their own goals. 

Watch for signs that your boyfriend manipulates situations or your feelings to get what he wants. 

He might use guilt, flattery, or even deceit as tools to influence your decisions. For instance, he could make you feel guilty for spending time with friends instead of him, suggesting you don’t care about him enough.

This manipulation can be subtle, making it hard to recognize at first. 

He knows how to play on your emotions and may switch between being charming and being hurtful to keep you unbalanced and more likely to yield to his wishes.

10. He’s Overly Critical and Demeaning

A narcissist might often criticize you, sometimes under the guise of “just trying to help” or “just being honest.” 

Your boyfriend might comment negatively on how you dress, your interests, or even your friends, making you feel inadequate or inferior. 

These criticisms can be harsh and are usually aimed at lowering your self-esteem while boosting his sense of superiority.

The constant criticism can wear you down, making you less confident and more dependent on his approval. 

He uses this tactic to keep control over you, ensuring you’re always striving to meet his expectations instead of focusing on what makes you happy.