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Can an INFJ be a narcissist? (9 signs)

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Page last updated: 09/01/2022 | Next review date: 09/01/2024
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This blog post aims to answer the question, “Can an INFJ be a narcissist?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFJ that will help understand the answer. 

Can an INFJ be a narcissist?

Yes, an INFJ can be a narcissist. An INFJ can be a narcissist if they manifest the following 9 signs –

  • Grandiosity.
  • Excessive need for admiration.
  • Superficial and exploitative relationships.
  • Lack of empathy.
  • Identity disturbance.
  • Attachment and dependence problems.
  • Feelings of emptiness and dullness on a regular basis.
  • Vulnerability to life changes.
  • Suicide and suicidal ideation.

These 9 signs that make an INFJ a narcissist will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFJ means. 

Who is an INFJ?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) inventors Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers established sixteen personality types. INFJ is one of them. Introversion, intuition, feeling, and judgement (INFJ) are four key personality traits based on psychologist C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters in the INFJ code represents a significant personality feature associated with the INFJ personality type. 

INFJs prefer to be planned and organised rather than spontaneous and flexible because they are energised by time alone (introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and details (intuitive), make decisions based on feelings and values (feeling), and prefer to be planned and organised rather than spontaneous and flexible (Judging).

Because of their inclination to be idealistic, sympathetic, and sensitive, the INFJ personality type is also known as the “Counselor.” The INFJ is also known by the following nicknames:

  • The Insightful Visionary (MBTI)
  • The Advocate (16Personalities)

INFJs are nurturers who are creative and nurturing, with a strong sense of personal integrity and a desire to help others reach their full potential. INFJs have a knack for coming up with unique answers to people’s problems, and they are both creative and dedicated.

The Counselor (INFJ) has a unique ability to sense other people’s emotions and intentions, and will frequently know how they are feeling before they do. INFJs have faith in their capacity to read others and trust their perceptions of others. 

The INFJ is a secretive type who is choosy about communicating inner thoughts and feelings. INFJs are sensitive, yet they are also guarded.

INFJ Personality Type Characteristics.

  • INFJs can be soft-spoken and empathic due to their high sense of intuition and emotional understanding. This does not, however, imply that they are cowards. INFJs have strong convictions and the capacity to act aggressively to achieve their goals.
  • Despite their introversion, persons with the INFJ personality type may develop deep, lasting relationships with others. INFJs appreciate assisting others, but they also require rest and relaxation.
  • The INFJ is distinguished by their ability to put their ideals into action. INFJs don’t merely want a better world; they make it happen.
  • People with the INFJ personality type enjoy taking charge by planning, organising, and making choices as soon as feasible.
  • INFJs prioritise their emotions above objective facts when making judgments. This does not, however, imply that they view the world through rose-coloured glasses. INFJs have an excellent understanding of the world, including the good and the terrible, and aim to improve it.

Who is a narcissist?

A Narcissist is a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.  Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental disorder in which persons have an exaggerated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, difficult relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. 

It is one of the numerous forms of personality disorders. But underneath this confident front hides weak self-esteem that is easily shattered by the least criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder can create issues in a variety of aspects of life, including relationships, employment, school, and finances. 

When they aren’t offered the particular favours or adulation they feel they deserve, people with narcissistic personality disorder may be generally sad and disappointed. Others may not enjoy being around them since they find their connections unfulfilling.

Talk therapy (psychotherapy) is used to treat narcissistic personality disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder –

Narcissists are frequently characterised as arrogant, self-centred, demanding, and manipulative. However, the degree and scope of these symptoms might differ from person to person. Early adulthood is the onset of narcissistic personality disorder.

If you have five or more of the following characteristics, you may be labelled with narcissism:

  • A feeling of self-importance that is grandiose.
  • Preoccupation with ideals of limitless prosperity, power, brilliance, beauty, or love.
  • Belief that they are ‘special’ and unique, and that only other special or high-status people can understand them, or that they should interact with other exceptional or high-status individuals (or institutions).
  • Excessive adoration is required.
  • a feeling of being entitled (unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with their expectations).
  • Interpersonal approach that is exploitative (takes advantage of others to achieve their own ends).
  • Lack of empathy—a refusal to acknowledge or sympathise with other people’s feelings and needs.
  • Others’ envy or the notion that others are jealous of them.
  • Behaviours or attitudes that are arrogant or haughty.

What are these 9 signs that could possibly make an INFJ narcissist?

Narcissists are arrogant, self-centred, demanding, and manipulative. However, the severity and breadth of these symptoms may vary from person to person. The beginning of narcissistic personality disorder occurs in early adulthood.

The following are the 9 signs – known as fundamental characteristics – of narcissistic personality disorder (narcissism). An INFJ may be diagnosed with narcissism if they exhibit five or more of the following characteristics and would be considered to be a narcissist.

Grandiosity.

Narcissists have an excessive feeling of self-importance. Narcissists feel superior to others and think that they deserve preferential treatment. A narcissist’s feelings are frequently accompanied by illusions of boundless prosperity, brilliance, power, beauty, or love.

Excessive need for admiration.

It is necessary for a narcissist to be the centre of attention. Narcissists frequently monopolise conversations Narcissists, when neglected, feel slighted, abused, drained, and angered.

Superficial and exploitative relationships.

Narcissists’ relationships are built on superficial characteristics rather than the unique features of others. People are only appreciated by narcissists to the extent that they are perceived to be useful.

Lack of empathy.

The ability to care for the emotional needs or experiences of others particularly loved ones is severely limited or completely absent in narcissists.

Identity disturbance.

The sense of self of a narcissist is relatively shallow, extremely inflexible, and frequently weak. Maintaining the belief that one is extraordinary is necessary for self-stability for a narcissist.

A narcissist’s grandiose concept of self is easily jeopardised. Narcissists avoid or ignore realities that call their grandiosity into question.

Attachment and dependence problems.

Narcissists depend on environmental feedback. Narcissists’ relationships exist solely to support a healthy self-image. Narcissists’ interactions are fleeting. Intimacy is forbidden by narcissists.

Feelings of emptiness and dullness on a regular basis.

When narcissists do not receive attention and appreciation, they feel empty, bored, sad, or restless.

Vulnerability to life changes.

Narcissists have difficulty sticking to realistic personal and professional objectives throughout time. Compromises demanded by education, work, and relationships can be excruciating for narcissists. Narcissists may experience “failure to launch” in young adulthood.

Suicide and suicidal ideation. 

Narcissists have increased tendencies for suicide and suicidal ideation due to narcissistic personality disorder.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “Can an INFJ be a narcissist?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFJ to help determine whether an INFJ can be a narcissist. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

References –

Are INFJ narcissistic people? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://www.quora.com/Are-INFJ-narcissistic-people#:~:text=Anyone%20can%20be%20a%20narcissist,INFJs%20can%20be%20narcissists%20too.

Arabi, S.Why the INFJ Personality Is a Favorite Target of Narcissists. (2018, July 17). Retrieved from   https://introvertdear.com/news/3-reasons-infj-empaths-fall-prey-to-narcissists/

INFJs – Covert narcissists? Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://www.reddit.com/r/infj/comments/404z9k/infjs_covert_narcissists/

Arabi, S. 3 Reasons Why INFJs Are The Favorite Targets Of Narcissists. (2018, March 26). Retrieved from   https://thoughtcatalog.com/shahida-arabi/2018/03/3-reasons-why-infjs-are-the-favorite-targets-of-narcissists/

Parker, M. This Is Why an INFJ Is A Narcissist’s Most Common Victim. (2022, January 21). Retrieved from   https://herway.net/this-is-why-an-infj-is-a-narcissists-most-common-victim

Marko. Why INFJs Attract Narcissist Personalities. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://introvertspring.com/infjs-attract-narcissist-personalities/

The NPA Theory & Narcissistic INFJs. Personality Cafe. (2017, February 16). Retrieved from   https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/the-npa-theory-narcissistic-infjs.1007921/

Atkinson, A. INFJs are the majority of narcissistic abuse survivors – WHY and what you can do to heal. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://queenbeeing.com/infjs-are-the-majority-of-narcissistic-abuse-survivors-why-and-what-you-can-do-to-heal/