Setting boundaries with narcissists and sexual dysfunction

Try out PMC Labs and tell us what you think. Learn More. Call St. There is theoretical reason to believe narcissism is associated with a number of sexual behaviors and outcomes that affect both sexual and relationship satisfaction.

Maybe they lavished you with attention, gifts, flattery, and promises of true romance, to the point where you almost felt overwhelmed by their charm. If your partner also has a general attitude of entitlement and superiority, along with a need for regular praise and admiration, you might start to wonder whether they could have narcissistic personality disorder NPD. The traits that characterize NPD and other personality disorders tend to remain pretty constant over time. These traits also show up in multiple areas of life. In a romantic or sexual relationship, key traits that characterize NPD can absolutely extend to all domains of your relationship , including the bedroom. That said, you may not always notice specific behaviors right away, especially when your partner makes a dedicated effort to present a different side of themselves. Sure, sex can be a lot of fun.

Covert narcissist is a term to describe a person who has narcissistic personality disorder NPD but does not display the grandiose sense of self-importance that psychologists associate with the condition. They may appear shy or modest. Other names for covert narcissism include closet narcissism or introverted narcissism. Researchers tend to use the term vulnerable narcissism, as people with this subtype of NPD appear to lack self-confidence.

Sexual narcissism, sometimes called sexual entitlement, involves a largely self-centered view of sexual activity. People with traits of sexual narcissism typically have an inflated idea of their sexual skills and bedroom performance and focus primarily on what they want. They also tend to lack interest in cultivating emotional intimacy and show little interest in what their partners might want. In fact, experts have linked individuals who display coercive behaviors to infidelity, sexual aggression, and other harmful behaviors.