Do narcissists morn a lost relationship?

While narcissists may show superficial signs of grief or sadness after losing a relationship, their emotional response is often limited and self-serving. Here's how narcissists typically process and experience the loss of a relationship:

1. Surface-Level Emotions: Narcissists may initially display emotions such as anger, frustration, or even tears after a relationship ends. However, these emotions often stem from their own bruised ego or the loss of admiration and attention they received in the relationship.

2. Lack of Empathy: Narcissists generally have low levels of empathy, which means they struggle to understand and share the feelings of others. This can make it difficult for them to genuinely mourn the loss of a relationship from their partner's perspective.

3. Self-Blame: Narcissists may engage in self-blame or self-criticism as a way to avoid taking responsibility for their role in the relationship's failure. They might blame their partner, circumstances, or even themselves for the breakup, minimizing their own contributions to the problems.

4. Grandiosity and Entitlement: Narcissists often have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe they deserve special treatment. This can lead them to feel entitled to a relationship and react with anger or indignation if it ends.

5. Fear of Abandonment: Despite their outward displays of confidence and self-sufficiency, narcissists can deeply fear abandonment. Losing a relationship can trigger these fears and cause them to feel vulnerable or insecure. However, they may not express these feelings directly due to their need to maintain a facade of strength.

6. Idealization and Devaluation: Narcissists tend to idealize their partners at the beginning of a relationship and then devalue them over time. When a relationship ends, they may continue to idealize the past or devalue their ex-partner to protect their fragile self-esteem.

7. Seeking New Supply: Narcissists often rely on external sources, such as relationships, to regulate their self-esteem and sense of self-worth. After losing a relationship, they may quickly seek out a new source of admiration and validation to fill the void.

In summary, while narcissists may go through a period of emotional turmoil after a relationship ends, their response is often characterized by self-centeredness, limited empathy, and a focus on their own needs rather than genuine grief or concern for their former partner's feelings.