Can A Narcissist Be Faithful And Find True Love?

Love is hard. Loving a narcissist, though, is even harder. If you've ever been in a relationship with a narcissist, you've probably found yourself wondering if a narcissist is capable of being in a healthy relationship. Is it possible for a narcissist to be faithful? Are narcissists able to find true love? 

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (via Psychology Today), narcissists lack empathy and are "unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others." This means that a narcissist is virtually incapable of finding true love or even wanting to because they are unable to truly understand what another person needs. A narcissist might be charming on the surface, but they're always going to put themselves first, which is bound to lead to an unhappy relationship.

Narcissists who end up in relationships are more likely to cheat on their partners. "The narcissists of the world need a lot of validation from those around them, so often get their needs met from flirting, or being loved from outside," psychologist Jacqui Manning told Mamamia. "Often, for a narcissist one person is not enough."

Manning added that the need for attention, combined with the lack of empathy, is a perfect recipe for cheating since narcissists don't understand how painful it can be to be cheated on. "They don't know what's it's like to feel sad, and because of this they're likely to be repeat cheaters," she said. 

If you find yourself attracted to a narcissist, it's safer to stay away. If you're already with a narcissist and find that the relationship isn't fulfilling your needs, it's time to break up. It might be tempting to try to reform a narcissist, but you're better off finding someone who will appreciate you and treat you with love and respect.