Have you ever met a person who could be a real-life villain? They always want to pick a fight with you even when you haven’t said anything to set them off. You might walk on eggshells when you talk to them because they love drama and challenging others.
If you know someone who is highly unpleasant in this manner, first of all, I am sorry. Dealing with these types of people, especially if they are related to you in some way, can be mind-numbingly frustrating. While you wouldn’t label that person a narcissist, they do have an off-putting personality, but just you can’t put your finger on it. Here are seven personality traits that extremely difficult people have and ways that can help.
Callousness
Callousness, regarding personality, refers to a person who lacks empathy and/or concern for others. Psychopaths and narcissists usually have a callous-unemotional (UE) personality type.
Interacting with people who have a callous personality trait may vary. Here are a few tips you can try out: don’t take their criticisms too personally, don’t make them understand your feelings (futile effort), and list the facts when you are with them.
Grandiosity
This personality trait can be found in narcissist as well. Grandiosity, concerning personality traits, usually means that an individual feels superior and better than other people. When dealing with a grandiosity complex, try not to feed into their “higher” state of mind. If you can, try to avoid contact with them as their thinking may be toxic.
Aggressiveness
An aggressive personality simply means that an individual is hostile and rude to others on a daily or weekly basis. Sometimes, it is expected for us to be stressed out and snap at others, but it is best to lose contact if this occurs regularly.
Preston Ni M.S.B.A. suggests keeping a safe distance, avoid escalation, not taking anything personally, know your human rights, have effective communication, consider an intervention, set consequences, and stand up to them (safely).
Suspiciousness
Distrust in others when there has been little to no evidence is regarded as suspiciousness. Suspicion can lead to paranoia and even paranoia personality disorder. When this occurs, HelpGuide.org recommends recognizing their pain, not to argue about their beliefs or dismiss them as crazy, set boundaries, have clear and effective communication, encourage them to exercise, and promote relaxation.
Manipulation
Individuals with manipulation personality disorders love to exploit others to benefit themselves. This personality trait may often be found in narcissists and psychopaths. If you know a manipulator, here are a few things you can try not to be wrapped around their finger, as recommended by Isaiah Hankel, Ph.D. Loren Soeiro, Ph.D. ABPP:
- take everything they say with a grain of salt
- trust your instincts
- don’t compromise with them
- don’t ask for their permission
- set clear boundaries
- respect the other person’s feelings (and set limits to make sure they reciprocate)
- know when to walk away
Domineering
An individual is domineering when they desire authority over others. People with an authoritarian personality may love to control others. A few tips from Christine Hammond, MS, LMHC to deal with controlling people may help:
- Identify the type of controlling behavior.
- Don’t believe the lie when they play the victim
- Recognize the triggers and patterns
- Carefully choose a response
- walk away
- change the subject
- ask a question
- apply logic
- help them acknowledge the fear
- try, try again.
- Know when to cut ties
Risk-takers
Risk-taking is not necessarily a bad trait. The individual might look for ways to satisfy their need to experience a specific activity’s manic highs and thrills. If you love the person who is a risk-taker, you might be able to help them in various ways.
“If you care about them, you might try gently to help them modulate their risk-taking,” says Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D. “When they brag about their latest outlandish adventure, see if you can prod them into finding safer outlets for their desire to experience thrills.”
Last Thoughts
People who are demanding and rank high in antagonism may make you feel drained. Knowing when to walk away and how to deal with them may reduce the amount of stress you have and limit the annoying behaviors they may exhibit.
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