Psychology Diary

The First Step Toward Change Is Awareness

  • Home
  • Relationships
  • Mental Health
  • Expert Tips
  • Life
  • Family
  • Marriage

6 Reasons Why People Fall in Love With Narcissists

September 25, 2023 · Relationships
fall in love with narcissists
Photo by Prazis Images from Shutterstock

3. They have similar traits

Another answer to the same question, “Why do people fall in love with narcissists?” might be one that is a little bit unsettling. Some people might be attracted to people who exhibit narcissistic traits because they also have the same traits. It’s like they are attracted to another version of them.

According to research conducted in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, sharing characteristics with a love partner is common. It is natural to find people who have similar traits to you. This might feel comfortable and can also make you feel understood. Combining all of this, you can have a happy relationship with fewer conflicts.

It can be problematic, though, if this instinct leads you into a relationship with a narcissist. A narcissist’s version of love involves mimicking your actions in order to win your affection. It’s possible that what seems to be shared preferences and interests is a deception to build a false image.

There are some studies that show that narcissists have a higher chance of falling in love with partners who share the same grandiosity tendencies as them.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

2 responses to “6 Reasons Why People Fall in Love With Narcissists”

  1. David Parkison says:
    September 16, 2024 at 3:35 am

    I found this article to be quite insiteful as i have read the previous ones reguarding the signs to be aware of that you have been or that you currently are in a relationship with a narcissist. The biggest hurdles for me to get over was that constant need to seek closure when the need to understand why or how ome to love unconditionally a woman that ,after reading articles on the subject, have concluded more and more a strong possibility she in fact is a narcissist. After Eight years of being in a relationship/ marriage with this person ,this was the one topic that I still had not yet come to any logical conclusions to, and in fact to this day even had just given up on on the serch to find such answears as to how I could love somebody so cruel and cold and selfish as she was/is still to this day. So in fact this article has given me, inpart some possible closure I had been seeking even years after the marrage to this person had ended.

    Reply
  2. Linda says:
    March 31, 2025 at 3:31 pm

    Hi David,

    You got out of the marriage to a narcissit. I did the same. However, it took me 38 years of putting myself in that position. I had all the charactoristics of wanting to save and protect them. I finally realized that I had give up my power and the hope that I would have closure. Today, I am free from the bondage, the drama and the relationship. I learned to self love, protect my heart and walk away.
    I have done so much work on who I am and how to be me that I do not think of this person. I pray for him and I realize that I had to find the closure to save my soul. I have and will continue to take care of me. I rely on my spiritual guide and when I have a weak moment I realize all the blessings in my life because I can breath and be grateful that I am no longer with that person. I hope this helps. LRM

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • A mixed media collage of a silhouette filled with torn paper and translucent layers, symbolizing the invisible nature of emotional neglect. 10 Traits of People Emotionally Neglected as Kids
  • A mixed-media collage showing a rigid, golden silhouette with cracks revealing a soft, watercolor interior, representing performative armor. 7 Behaviors People Mistake For Confidence But Aren’t
  • A woman sits alone at a kitchen table in dim evening light while her partner stands in the background, illustrating emotional distance. 9 Psychological Reasons Why People Stay in Unhappy Relationships
  • An illustration of a person using a prism to turn a chaotic blue wave into a clear spectrum of distinct colors. 10 Signs You Have Exceptionally High Emotional Intelligence
  • A mixed-media collage of an older person's profile filled with childhood drawings and school reports, representing deep-seated habits. 8 Childhood Habits That Still Secretly Shape Your Personality After 60
  • An abstract mixed-media piece showing bright yellow and orange splashes like a laugh, covering a dark, dense gray background. 7 Signs Someone Uses Humor To Avoid Serious Conversations
  • Two friends sitting at a kitchen table, unconsciously mirroring each other's posture by resting their chins on their hands. 7 Signs Someone Mirrors Your Personality Without Realizing It
  • A woman laughs at her phone while her friend sits beside her on a sofa with a forced, thin smile and envious eyes. 7 Friendship Behaviors That Reveal Hidden Jealousy
  • A mixed media collage showing a glowing smartphone screen inside a mirror frame, casting a shadow of a staged performance on a curtain. 7 Signs Someone Is Performing Kindness For Attention
  • A mixed media collage of a person in a theatrical spotlight while their partner sits in the shadows of a theater audience. 7 Signs Someone Loves Attention More Than They Love You

Newsletter

Get the latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

9 Things Men Do When They’re Just Not Into You

Relationships are not all rainbows and unicorns. In the early stages of a relationship, potential…

Read More →
men

6 Secrets Men NEVER Tell Their Wives (and Why)

3. He finds other women attractive This is one of the most common secrets men…

Read More →
Adult Friendship Lie

5 Adult Friendship Lies We ALL Believe

Consider these adult friendship lies and misconceptions! When we have an issue with a family…

Read More →
Neurotic Personality Trait

6 Causes of Neurotic Personality Traits and Why You Might Have Them

Check this list to see if you have any of these neurotic personality traits! We’ve…

Read More →
A woman laughs at her phone while her friend sits beside her on a sofa with a forced, thin smile and envious eyes.

7 Friendship Behaviors That Reveal Hidden Jealousy

Discover the seven hidden behaviors that reveal friendship jealousy. Learn to protect your peace and…

Read More →
infidelity

10 Reasons Behind Infidelity

6. Revenge  Everyone wants to feel understood by their partners, but you can’t make someone…

Read More →
Narcissist

How to Handle a Narcissist: 10 Practical Tips for Everyday Interactions

Can Your Well-Being and Mental Health Be Affected If You Spend Time With Someone Who…

Read More →

28 Fascinating Facts About Love

While being in a relationship is not always very easy, it’s definitely a feeling worth…

Read More →
Past Trauma

10 Subtle Signs a Past Trauma Is Affecting Your Marriage

Are You In A Happy Marriage? Past traumas can have a significant impact on our…

Read More →

Psychology Diary

The First Step Toward Change Is Awareness

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@psychologydiary.com

Explore

  • About Us
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Editorial Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Expert Tips
  • Family
  • Life
  • Marriage
  • Mental Health

© 2026 Psychology Diary. All rights reserved.