What makes people so self centered

They always respond to your problems with toxic positivity. They know how to mask their selfishness. They're always the center of attention. Their openness might be charming at first. How it affects the people around them. Working through conflicts. The bottom line. More On This Topic Sex. Kelly Gonsalves. With Megan Bruneau, M. Functional Food. Lindsay Boyers. Alexandra Engler. Personal Growth. Sarah Regan. Latest Articles Recipes.

Eliza Sullivan. Emma Loewe. Jamie Schneider. Integrative Health. Previous Next. It will inevitably become very difficult to be kind to a self-centered person who is unkind to you, but you can alleviate any feelings of anger by focusing on the person you are and continuing to like that person.

The self-centered person can have moments of generosity and charm, but for the most part, they are unaware of your needs and uninterested in meeting them. The most important thing to remember when dealing with a self-centered person is to remain realistic. If you struggle with low self-esteem, being around someone who seems so confident may give you a temporary boost. In the long run, however, you are better off attending to the causes of your low self-image - even if it means a period of loneliness, Neuharth said.

If you think that you may be self-centered or narcissistic or if you have a loved one who is, therapy is often recommended so that you or your loved one can learn to form happy, healthy relationships.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. It is the ultimate form of a human animal, as opposed to a true human being. For such a person, altruism is pure stupidity and a waste of time. It is natural for all human beings to have some degree of self-interest, to want to improve their lives, to seek benefits and personal growth and development.

But such self-interest should not harm others or be detrimental to them. Even acts of charity and helping others genuinely stem out of our self-interest. But this type of self-interest benefits others too, and not just us.

Being selfish is but one quality of someone who is self-centered. The same is true for the difference between being self-absorbed and being a narcissist. Someone who is self-centered is preoccupied with themselves and is solely concerned with their own welfare, needs and interests.

Self-centered people tend to not only be selfish but also egotistical and self-sufficient. Someone who is self-absorbed is preoccupied with their own interests, feelings and experiences, too much so to listen carefully to others. They are also preoccupied with their own wants and needs. They only think about and care about themselves. Most people throw around the word narcissist loosely, using it to describe someone who is seemingly obsessed with themselves.

But narcissistic personality disorder has a distinct set of characteristics that differ from being simply self-absorbed. These characteristics include:. Terry McDougall. Selfishness is when someone is focused on their own needs primarily and lacks consideration of others. Self-centeredness is when someone is preoccupied with their own affairs but has enough self-awareness to recognize and consider the needs of others.

Self-absorbed people are oblivious to the needs of others and may expect others to find them as fascinating as they find themselves, yet are not capable of recognizing or acknowledging the needs of others.

Narcissists will sometimes feign interest in other people if they believe it will serve them. Wellness Coach Founder, Elevated Aura. In other words, while someone who is selfish, self-centered, or self-absorbed may talk about themselves too much or forget things that are important to you, the key difference is this:.

When you explain to a narcissist that your feelings were hurt or they let you down in some capacity, the narcissist will not apologize. So really the difference is the ability to change their behavior — to remove the toxic fleas or habits that we may have picked up.

A narcissist will be incapable of change, while those who are selfish, self-centered, and self-absorbed have the choice to shed that ego-driven mindset. The Editors. Mahsa A. Lindeman, MFT. How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it! As you found this post useful Share it on social media! We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Let us improve this post! Tell us how we can improve this post? Submit Feedback. Load More. You can free yourself of self-centeredness by combining the practice of mindfulness with the practice of love—for yourself and others.

Be patient and persistent, as it can take time to heal and reprogram the brain through these practices. Recruit the help, guidance, and support of a professional for treating any underlying psychiatric illnesses, including any addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma or neglect, that may be driving your self-centeredness. With support, intention, effort, and persistence, you too can be freed from this painful condition.

Kocovsku, N. And Therapy. Psychology Today. Get exclusive access to Dr. Dissolving Self-Centeredness So how do we counter self-centeredness? Spread the word! Share this blog with family and friends. Free Trial. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

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