Have you ever wondered whether poor communications skills and narcissism are alike? Two high-school friends told me they consider them the same, and then I came across this article that dealt with that same puzzling assumption. Are they really though? That’s what I investigate in this essay.

Narcissism, or being wrapped in yourself, has elements of poor communication. That’s because symptoms of poor communication include interrupting, rambling and ignoring the speaker. All of these habits clearly smack of narcissism, where narcissists think themselves superior to others so fail to listen to others and talk only about themselves. They lack active listening skills and fail to focus on the other. For these reasons, I believe that narcissists tend to show poor communication.

On the other hand Mayo Clinic defines narcissism as a “mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.” 

That same renowned medical institution says that:

[Narcissists] have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration.Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it. Exaggerate achievements and talents. Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate. 

Now, I know someone who is extroverted and one of the kindest people alive. I hate having a conversation with her; she misunderstands me and interrupts. So someone may have a habit of constantly interrupting – without being narcissistic. She may not know how to listen and may ramble or ignore me – but that doesn’t mean she is a narcissist.

So to me, narcissism is thoroughly different to having poor communication skills. What´s your opinion?