Dating expert lists ways to tell if your partner is actually a narcissist

A dating expert has revealed how you can tell if your partner is a narcissist or not.

Sat here wondering whether or not you should break up with your partner because they're a bit too far up their own a**?

Well, this might be the sign you need to finally build up the courage to dump them and take the plunge back into single-hood.

Clinical psychologist and relationship expert from California, Betsy Chung, has explained the top signs of narcissism.

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Narcissism is a personality disorder and 'mental health condition' according to the Mayo Clinic.

It's website states: "People [with narcissism] have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them.

"People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism."

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Dr Chung told the Mail Online people with narcissistic tendencies often "present themselves very favourably toward others because it gives them the admiration and positive attention they need to reinforce their sense of greatness" and so those who enter into relationships with narcissists initially feel on 'on top of the world' and like they've 'struck gold'.

However, it doesn't take long for reality to set in. Dr Chung warns: "Narcissists will attempt to isolate you from your closest allies so that you can be their personal source of adoration, and will cause you to question your friends and family by speaking very poorly about them - particularly if your friends and family begin to warn you about your partner's narcissistic traits.

Dr Chung adds: "You'll notice that any self-esteem or sense of personal identity has diminished, and that all of your time and energy is spent on supporting what your partner desires."

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Noticing your partner is quite 'selfish and self-absorbed'? Well, that's another trait of a narcissist.

This can become apparent when you're slightly further down the line in a relationship and disagree about something.

Dr Chung warns narcissists are 'very skilled at maintaining shallow relationships' but sooner or later they will 'begin to show their true colours' which will see you 'always' lose arguments with them because you'll be so exhausted with engaging in conflict you'll no longer 'question their rationale' but 'simply surrender' instead.

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Your partner may apologise, but do they truly mean it?

"Those with NPD do not experience genuine remorse for their actions with any effort to change," Dr Chung continues. "Their apologies are only circumstantial in order to regain the status quo, but there’s no continuity from one situation to the next — such as conversations to talk about what happened the night before or efforts to make changes to improve the betterment of the relationship."

And if your partner always wants to maintain the image of your relationship being perfect when not everything's quite right? Alarm bells should be ringing.

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While noting you don't have to 'leave every relationship that you question,' Dr Chung advises to 'take time to get to know a person and talk to friends and family about your partner to 'keep things in perspective'.

She resolves: "Establishing good boundaries from the start of a relationship will help keep you from falling prey to a narcissist's manipulations. Be true to yourself, and don't do things you're uncomfortable with."

But what if you've read this and it's all a bit too close for comfort, and you're pretty certain you're dating a narcissist?

It may be difficult, but surround yourself with friends and family, listen to your gut instinct, and try to leave them.

We all know breaking up with someone is easier said than done, but being single isn't as awful as rom-com's make it out to be and life is too short to not be happy.