Before I begin talking about the matter at hand, I’d like to establish a few notions. Firstly, respecting yourself enough to put your wishes ahead of someone else’s, especially when it seems like the need of the hour, is not being a narcissist and neither is acknowledging your individuality. There is a fine line between knowing your self-worth and bragging about yourself without realising how uninterested the other person is. Secondly, much like any self-acclaimed medicinal maestro, I would like to approach this issue with symptoms, contextual reference, individual variations and finally, the much needed solutions. 
TOP FIVE SIGNS YOU ARE A NARCASSIST
#5 YOU SOMEHOW ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO TURN THE CONVERSATION TOWARDS YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS.
Take a mundane scenario for an instance.
- Did you guys see the latest sci-fi movie?
You- It was good but nowhere near the documentary that I made for my grandfather in 2014, now that’s a prime example of fabulous film making.
I know this sounds bizarre but narcissists tend to talk about how they think they’re god’s gift to mankind every now and then, even at the most unusual points of the conversation.
#4 NOT BEING THE LIMELIGHT PUSHES YOU OFF THE EDGE
If you’re attending a concert or a debate and the fact that the person performing is better, it is only natural for you to feel a tad bit envious and slightly uncomfortable. But what’s not usual is for a person to make an attempt to demean the performer and then go on about how you think your skills are far more superior to the person on the stage. This not only portrays your inferiority complex in a bad light but also makes your insecurities obvious.
#3 YOU NEITHER UNDERSTAND NOR RESPECT SELF ESTEEM STRUGGLES
As a narcissist, you are likely to believe that real psychological problems associated with undermining and finding faults with oneself such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder are all made up. You would consequently question as to how anyone would criticise themselves as your perception of yourself is that of perfection.
#2 COMPASSION AND CONSIDERATION ARE POINTLESS TERMS FOR YOU.
You lack the empathy one needs to be considerate to another person’s problems. In other words, you’re so full of yourself that you fail to realise that the other person’s needs are equally essential.
#1 YOU ARE A BAD LISTENER
If you’ve often been told that you always try to bring up your own attributes while listening to someone else’s predicament, then news flash, you’re likely to be called vain and obnoxious more often than you think.
Now that you know that either you or someone you know suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, it’s time to do something about it. So let’s cut to the chase and admit that you do have a problem. Acknowledging that takes you halfway through the solution.
Here are a few pointers which can help you combat this unpleasant personality quirk-
- Try to genuinely listen without offering criticism, constructive or otherwise or worse, going off about your own glories.
- Understand the fact that you share this world with 7 billion humans and at some point you have to drop the dead weight that comes with being self-absorbed.
- Talk to your family and friends and find out what is it about you that need possible rectification. Don’t get offended with their remarks, everybody has room for improvement.
- Having an insight of what life is like who aren’t as privileged as you are may help you cut down on your narcissism
- Finally, acknowledge that you narcissism, when at its peak, can damage and even sabotage your relationships with people around you.
“An empathy serving a day can help keep the narcissism away!”