Can a Narcissist Turn a Non-Narcissistic Person into a Narcissist?

It is a common question: can a narcissistic person in a relationship manipulate or permanently change a non-narcissistic partner into a narcissist? This article explores the dynamics and challenges involved, shedding light on the complexity of human character development and relationship impacts.

The Role of Adult Characters and Personal Transformations

Adult individuals, having amassed extensive life experience, form their own conclusions about life. It is virtually impossible for an adult to change the character of another adult, unless the non-narcissistic person willingly chooses such a transformation. A narcissist needs to make a conscious choice to be abusive, and while they might 'glamorize' this behavior, a non-narcissistic person trained in empathy and compassion is unlikely to undergo such a drastic shift.

Impact of Unhealed Trauma

In cases where a non-narcissistic individual remains in a toxic relationship without addressing their emotional and psychological wounds, their ability to love and empathize may be compromised over time. However, this does not automatically make them a narcissist. The accumulation of unhealed trauma can indeed impact one's ability to empathize, but it does not equate to the presence of narcissistic traits.

Absence of Long-Term Behavioural Change

No, an adult cannot be permanently transformed into a narcissist through the behavior of another person. Nevertheless, individuals living with someone who exhibits extremely dysfunctional behaviors may inadvertently adopt some of those detrimental traits. The exposure to constant manipulation and abuse can degrade one's empathic traits, leading to temporarily enhanced narcissistic tendencies. Factors such as alcohol consumption, exhaustion, anxiety, or being consistently manipulated by a narcissist can contribute to this erosion of empathic qualities.

Empathic Traits and Survival Mode

Each person possesses both narcissistic and empathic traits, except for narcissists, who lack empathic traits. Empathic traits enable individuals to experience emotional empathy, which acts as a buffer against the manifestation of narcissistic traits. External factors can temporarily diminish these empathic traits, leading to a heightened state of emotions that are often difficult to maintain, resulting in a survival mode where narcissistic behaviors may temporarily surface.

However, it is essential to distinguish between temporary behavioral shifts due to stress and an actual transformation into a narcissistic individual. Being in a relationship with a narcissist can push a person to extremes, forcing them to suppress their true thoughts and feelings to avoid negative consequences. This experience can put one in a heightened emotional state, leading to temporary narcissistic traits. The motivation behind such behaviors is often protection and self-preservation, rather than a desire to become a narcissist.

Seeking Professional Help

It is important to note that engaging in such relationships and the resultant behavioral shifts are not sufficient grounds for a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder or borderline personality disorder. These are medical conditions that require a professional evaluation. When someone contemplates drastic actions to protect themselves, it is a sign of severe distress and the need for immediate intervention and therapy.

Understanding the interplay between narcissistic and empathic traits, recognizing the signs of emotional exploitation, and seeking professional help can prevent further degradation in one's character and help maintain healthier relationship dynamics.

Keywords: narcissist, non-narcissist, relationship dynamics