It is characterized by a lack of empathy for others, an inflated feeling of self-importance, an excessive desire for attention or adoration, and a dominating desire for control. Narcissism There are times when the only option is to break off the relationship with someone with narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder because they manipulate or exploit others.

If you're in a relationship with someone who's a narcissist, one of the books on this list can help you figure out if you want to end it or not. Managing expectations, establishing limits, and keeping a healthy emotional distance are all common ways.

Our list of top books on narcissism are helpful for anyone who wants direction in dealing with a narcissist, whether they’re in a romantic, business-based, or familial connection. If you're dealing with the repercussions of your behavior because you have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), you may benefit from self-help tools that are not typically available to people with NPD.

General Books for Dealing With Narcissists

There are a number of publications out there that can help you understand NPD, how to deal with a narcissist, and how to disarm them in any situation that you may encounter.

Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving and Thriving with the Self-Absorbed

For those of us who know someone who falls into this category—whether it's an acquaintance or a close friend or family member—ignoring them is not an option. If you don't speak to them, you're effectively cutting them off. In order to maintain this individual in your life, you'll need to discover new ways of communicating.

It is via the author's expertise as a clinician as well as a researcher that she shows readers how to draw on their own inherent strengths—compassion, empathy, and communication—in order to engage and communicate with someone who lacks those very same attributes. You'll gain a better understanding of how they view the world and how to prevent or anticipate their actions. Setting boundaries and drawing a line between acceptable and inappropriate behavior are critical life skills that you'll gain from this course.

Emotional Vampires: Dealing with People Who Drain You Dry

Dr. Al Bernstein, a clinical psychologist and author of the book Emotional Vampires, has a unique ability to show readers how to detect and distinguish between several sorts of emotional vampires.

Prior to the narcissists draining you of your energy and well-being, Berstein has provided you with all the information you need to handle them. Using real-world examples like news stories from the current headlines, he helps readers better comprehend what narcissists and other emotional vampires look like in practice.

Why Is It Always About You?: The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism

Sandy Hotchkiss, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, teaches readers how to deal with those who don't grasp the importance of mutual respect in a good relationship. Hotchkiss discusses the "seven deadly sins of narcissism," which include exploitation, magical thinking, envy, and a lack of boundaries, as she moves through them.

Hotchkiss goes beyond defining and describing narcissists to explain why some people are attracted to them despite their "poor" behavior and offers guidance on how to sever these unhealthy, often deceptive relationships.

How to Handle a Narcissist: Understanding and Dealing with a Range of Narcissistic Personalities

You can take tangible actions to disengage from narcissistic behavior without having to terminate all ties with the person, according to this steadfastly objective guidance. The narcissistic spectrum is covered by Theresa Jackson in her book, which includes topics such as gas-lighting, manipulation, and verbal abuse.

"Avoid dipping into the customary stigma and negative rhetoric around [the subject]," writes Jackson, in her book How to Handle a Narcissist. "To present the reader with better knowledge and comprehension, without reinforcing their anger or grief," writes Jackson.

The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time—and What You Can Do About It

You can learn about narcissism and its related disorders, as well as how to deal with narcissists in your life by reading Dr. Campbell's book, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Narcissism is now being studied scientifically, and Dr. Campbell explains how to cope with narcissists, from their socialization to how to spot them in your own relationships.

Books for Those Dealing With Narcissism in a Relationship

Having to deal with a partner's narcissism can be terrible. A narcissist in this scenario may benefit from reading the following books.

Narcissistic Lovers: How to Cope, Recover, and Move On

The writers of Narcissistic Lovers, Cynthia Zayn and Kevin Dibble, focus solely on narcissistic personality disorder sufferers who are either unwilling or unable to change their ways. Thus, this book's purpose is to assist readers in escaping a harmful relationship.

"If you find yourself leaping through hoops to impress your partner on a daily basis, chances are something is not right," write Zayn and Dibble. People who have been in comparable relationships might assist victims see the severity of their situation and give hope of recovery.

Freeing Yourself From the Narcissist In Your Life

In this book, you'll learn how to break free from a narcissist's grip on your life and how to develop a strategy for dealing with the person's high-level narcissistic behavior. Linda Martinez-Lewi is an author who combines clinical analysis with the psychological profiles of prominent alleged narcissists like Pablo Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Ayn Rand in order to write about recovering peace, balance, and well-being.

As a psychotherapist, Martinez-Lewi understands how taxing a high level narcissist can be, and how liberating it can feel to walk away.

The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists: Coping with the One-way Relationship in Work, Love, and Family

The Wizard of Oz serves as a metaphor throughout the book, giving readers techniques to recognize narcissists and recover from the harm they've done with these destructive habits. It is not uncommon for political politicians and other high-ranking individuals to be narcissists.

Whatever your relationship with a narcissist is, you need to protect yourself from being manipulated, exploited and deceived by him or her. In this book, Eleanor Payson serves out self-help without animosity and does so in an open and nonjudgmental manner.

The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Are you in a relationship with a covert narcissist? A checklist of behaviors to watch out for is provided in Debbie Mirza's book, which focuses on this difficult scenario. Overt and covert narcissists utilize different ways to exercise control over others in their area of influence, and this explains the distinction.

Even if you choose to split up with your current partner, you will still have a lot of emotional work to do even if they are no longer in your life.

Why Can’t I Just Leave: A Guide to Waking Up and Walking Out of a Pathological Love Relationship

As a narcissist, have you been unable to break up with your spouse despite the damage they've inflicted on you? Has the abuse convinced you to believe that you're insane?

Leaving emotionally abusive relationships is challenging. Abuse can affect a person's ability to think clearly and lead them to believe that they are imprisoned in a relationship with no way out. You need this guide as a wake-up call, with practical guidance on how to break up with your significant other.

Groups for Victims of Narcissistic Abuse

 

Support groups offered by Circles allow you to share your experiences and learn from others who have been through the same thing. For example, Circles has groups for those who have narcissistic parents or narcissistic love partners. Expert facilitators lead groups that meet via video every week. Circles is a mobile app that lets you and your friends speak at any time. For about $20 a week, you may join a Circles group. Learn More

The above-mentioned corporation compensates Choosing Therapy for recommendations made through one of its partnerships with the organization.

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