We all have, at one time or another, known or have associated ourselves with a person whose nature exuded the need to take and never give back to the relationship. By definition, this sort of person, who is primarily focused on self-love, is a narcissist.

The mind-set of a narcissist is that of a self-absorbed child that exists in the body of an adult, one who demands constant praise and attention. Although, unlike a child who has yet to learn the grace of sharing and receiving, there is no grace to the child-adult narcissist's needs and demands. Because narcissists are incapable of seeing the adverse effects their destructive behavior has on those who love and care for them, they continue to want more from the relationship.

Some psychologists have abandoned the idea that narcissism has but a small connection with low self-esteem. If so, then why do narcissists require to boast and demand reassurances from their partners to satisfy their internal emptiness?

Analysts, however, suggest that internally, a narcissist has unresolved issues of inferiority, and that anyone who uncovers this veiled aspect will no doubt be on the receiving end of the narcissist's wrath. (Surprising, most serial killers and cheaters are pathological narcissists. They have a strong desire to regard themselves as superior beings. They do not care about another person’s feelings, well being or about self-esteem.)

Of course, as humans, we need our egos stroked once in a while, because a reasonable dose of self-involvement is important to any healthy adult's personality, and helps us to take care of our bodies and minds and to achieve dreams and goals. But along with our healthy dose of self-involvement, we balance the scales with empathy, sensitivity and understanding toward the people we love. Giving and receiving is a two-way street.

Narcissists do not believe in a two-way street. They lose sight of the damage that their selfishness imposes on people around them. Well-adjusted, mature adults know how to accept criticism as constructive, narcissists do not. Because narcissists are too preoccupied with validating an unrealistic theatrical self-image, they view criticism as highly upsetting and lash out against anyone who suggests they are flawed.

However, anyone who decides to end the relationship with the insufferable narcissist, may soon discover that like a child they will become hostile. Never mind that you have shattered their grandiose image, but they believe that they have invested too much time and energy to create their unrealistic, favorable self-image, so that who are you to "dump" the center of the universe.

Nonetheless, to make themselves feel better, they will construe in their minds that the reason you left is because you do not understand them. They will not accept that they are self-indulgent creatures who have no regard for the feelings of another person. They will not admit that they lack empathy in the pleasure or pain of their partners/spouses, because they lack the maturity necessary to behave responsibly and compassionately.

Since it is inevitable that narcissists will get lost anytime soon, all we can do to keep our sanity is not to invest time and energy in a one-dimensional relationship.

A healthy relationship requires that two people care about each other’s feelings, communicate differences, establish a committed, solid relationship with compassion and love for the other person. The narcissist believes in the opposite and will leave the relationship, head into a different direction and seek new conquests and diversions. A new person will, after all, stroke their ego, lavish them with compliments and remind them how fantastic they are, because they are not people who want to work to better a relationship. They worry too much about what they are getting out of the relationship.

Troublesome narcissists may die out if, whenever we see one heading our way, we run the other way.