Do Narcissists Go Through a Lot of Friends? Here's the Truth

Understanding Narcissists and Their Friendships

Well, the idea that narcissists go through a lot of friends is a common question, and honestly, it’s one I’ve found myself wondering about after dealing with a few narcissistic people in my life. You know, people who seem charming at first but then start pushing your buttons in ways you never imagined. So, let’s break it down: Do narcissists really cycle through friends, and if so, why does it happen?

Narcissism and the Need for Admiration

First off, let me clarify what being a narcissist means. It’s not just about being a bit self-centered or vain—there’s a deeper, more complex psychological pattern at play. Narcissists have an excessive need for admiration, validation, and attention. They want to be the center of everyone’s world, which can be exhausting for those around them. When they don’t get the admiration they crave, they often lose interest in maintaining those friendships.

From my own experience, I’ve noticed that when I was friends with someone who had narcissistic traits, they’d act all charming and perfect in the beginning. But soon, they’d demand so much attention that I started feeling drained, and they’d eventually get frustrated if I wasn’t constantly boosting their ego. It felt like a never-ending cycle of trying to please them, and once I couldn’t keep up, they’d move on to someone else.

The Pattern of Friendships with Narcissists

Honestly, I think this constant switching of friends is a pattern rooted in the narcissist's need for constant validation and admiration. When a narcissist feels like someone isn’t offering the praise they want, they look elsewhere—often cutting ties without a second thought.

Why Narcissists Cycle Through Friendships

So, why do narcissists seem to go through friends quickly? Well, the answer lies in their internal needs. Narcissists thrive on being the center of attention, and once they feel like they’re no longer getting the admiration they want from one person, they quickly discard them. It's almost as if they "upgrade" their friendships to someone new who will cater to their needs. The cycle repeats because narcissists rarely truly develop deep emotional connections—they’re more interested in getting what they want out of people.

I once had a friend who displayed these narcissistic traits. She would shower me with compliments, but if I didn't give her the constant attention she wanted, she’d suddenly stop communicating for weeks. Then, when someone else started showing her the admiration she craved, she’d drop me entirely. It was as if I never mattered.

The Role of Idealization and Devaluation

You might be wondering, "But don’t they form strong friendships initially?" The truth is, narcissists often go through what’s called “idealization” at the beginning of a friendship. They see the person as perfect, a source of admiration and validation. However, as time goes on, and the narcissist gets used to the person, they begin the "devaluation" phase. This is where they start criticizing, belittling, or completely disregarding the person they once admired. When the cycle becomes too exhausting, the narcissist moves on to someone new who will give them that initial burst of admiration again.

Honestly, it’s a frustrating cycle to witness, especially when you’re the one being idealized at first and then discarded later.

How Narcissists Impact Their Friendships and Relationships

Now, let’s talk about the effects of narcissistic behavior on friendships. When you're in a friendship with a narcissist, it's not just about the friendship itself—it’s about your emotional well-being.

Emotional Toll of Narcissistic Friendships

Being friends with a narcissist is emotionally draining. They often demand constant attention, but they rarely give anything back. It feels one-sided, and in the long term, it can lead to feelings of resentment. What’s worse, narcissists don’t have the capacity to empathize with others, so they don’t understand why their behavior hurts the people around them.

I’ll be honest with you—there were times when I felt like I was walking on eggshells around my narcissistic friend. I constantly worried about whether I was saying the right thing or doing the right thing to keep her happy. It wasn’t a true friendship. It was more like I was performing for her validation.

Is It Possible for Narcissists to Keep Long-Term Friendships?

The truth is, long-term, healthy friendships are rare for narcissists. They tend to wear out their welcome because they don’t invest emotionally in relationships—they're more interested in what they can get from others. Narcissists struggle to maintain friendships because they are unable to truly connect on an emotional level. They need constant admiration, and eventually, people grow tired of that.

Honestly, I think it’s almost impossible for narcissists to have lasting, genuine friendships. The foundation of any good relationship is mutual respect and care, and for a narcissist, that’s just not how they operate.

Dealing with a Narcissist Who Cycles Through Friends

If you’re dealing with a narcissist who seems to go through friends at lightning speed, what can you do? Well, the first step is to recognize the pattern. Understanding that their behavior is driven by a need for admiration can help you protect yourself emotionally.

Protecting Your Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries is crucial when you’re dealing with someone like this. Don’t let them take over your time, emotions, or energy. Be prepared for the possibility that, at some point, they may discard you when they find someone else who will cater to their needs.

In my case, I had to stop engaging with my narcissistic friend in ways that fed into her ego. I became more assertive about what I was willing to tolerate, and that helped me maintain some level of self-respect, even if it meant the friendship would end.

Conclusion: Why Narcissists Struggle with Lasting Friendships

To sum it up, yes, narcissists do tend to go through a lot of friends, and for a few key reasons: their constant need for validation, the cycle of idealization and devaluation, and their inability to form deep emotional connections. If you’re in a friendship with a narcissist, be prepared for the fact that they may eventually discard you once they no longer get what they want. Protect yourself emotionally, and remember that true, healthy friendships are based on mutual respect, something narcissists struggle to offer.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.