It’s easy to mistake narcissism for vanity. But in reality, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a far bigger problem than simply posting one too many selfies on social media. This mental health disorder is characterized by specific personality traits that will often impact nearly every aspect of your relationship. Some behaviors may feel like obvious signs, but others aren’t as discernible. Especially when it comes to your sex life, understanding what behaviors are red flags can sometimes feel tricky to spot.
If you think you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, here are some telltale behaviors in the bedroom that could indicate narcissistic personality disorder.
They’re only interested in physical pleasure.
According to Healthline, narcissists are known for exploitative behavior. In the bedroom, this trait can look like solely being focused on sexual gratification, and having little to no interest in building physical intimacy outside of intercourse. If you try to talk about your feelings or have a deeper, emotional conversation, a narcissist may appear disinterested or try to change the subject.
They need a lot of praise.
Because narcissists have a heightened sense of self-importance, this trait can translate as putting their sexual needs first and dismissing your needs. They may require a lot of praise and adoration in the bedroom, in order to feel validated. They may ask for, in great detail, just how good they are at sex and how much you enjoyed your time with them, every time. If you don’t give them enough praise, they may become angry with you or attempt to pressure you into giving them more compliments.
They feel entitled to intercourse.
A key trait of narcissism is a sense of entitlement. This being said, they will only prioritize their sexual needs and care very little about yours. Whether or not you actually want to engage in intercourse with them, they will assume that you always do, since who wouldn’t want to be with them?
When you refuse to have sex with them, they may try to pressure you, belittle you, compare you to past partners, or even threaten to leave you for someone else. These abusive tactics are considered sexual coercion and manipulation.
No one should ever force you to have sex if you don’t want to. In a healthy relationship, your partner will respect your boundaries and decisions.
