Why Are Narcissists So Easily Bored? It may be difficult to comprehend how someone might grow bored in a fully digital society with so many sources of stimulation. After all, there’s always a fresh message or text to check, a never-ending selection of streaming shows and movies to watch, and a continual barrage of news about anything from the latest COVID-19 numbers to celebrity scandals.
People with high levels of narcissism, on the other hand, appear to be more likely to feel this “blah” mental state because they want continual attention and praise.
Perhaps you have a cousin who has required extra care and reassurance for as long as you can remember. When other relatives concentrated on the family’s younger children, this cousin became furious and disturbed.
This cousin seemed anxious and went to the toilet during a recent wedding, when the whole family was present, and stayed there for most of the night. This was not the first time the cousin had caused a ruckus at gatherings ranging from funerals to baby showers by being forced to stay motionless or silent while others took the spotlight.
When most individuals are bored, they find methods to keep themselves entertained, even if it only involves twiddling their fingers. A period of time demanding patience might be mentally torturous for people like your relative, who are plagued with insecurity. They find ways to fill the gap left by their own thoughts or, worse, the sense that others are ignoring them.
The University of Kentucky’s Albert Ksinan and colleagues’ (2021) study on the obsessive usage of cellphones was inspired by the concept that people’s desire for boredom alleviation indicates a type of narcissism.
The Relationship Between Boredom and Narcissism is being investigated.
Aside from the study’s objective of investigating narcissists’ smartphone usage, the University of Kentucky-led research sheds light on boredom as a regular occurrence for those who want continual adoration and attention.
Ksinan and his colleagues chose to concentrate their efforts on the age group they believed was most prone to participate in problematic smartphone use. 532 young individuals (average age 23) completed conventional questionnaires evaluating narcissism, obsessive smartphone usage, and ennui online.
Items like “I prefer to be the centre of attention” vs. “I prefer to blend in with the crowd” were used in the narcissism questionnaires to measure grandiose narcissism. Items like “I detest being among a group unless I know that at least one of those there appreciates me” were included in the vulnerable narcissism test.
Why Are Narcissists So Easily Bored? Understanding Narcissism Goes Beyond Boredom
Returning to your relative’s example, consider what you feel causes all of that anxiety when other individuals are the centre of attention. If you recognise this conduct as a result of vulnerable narcissism, you’ll be able to better understand and control your interactions in the future.
You can at least acquire perspective on what’s underlying the behaviour, even if you still find it unpleasant, if not upsetting. Rather than attempting to control others, this individual is simply attempting to feel whole on the inside.
Consider what it’s like for a susceptible narcissist to seek affirmation through continuous social media checking. When the “likes,” “hearts,” and “comments” don’t come pouring in with each post, it must be a difficult task. Seeking validation when it isn’t available may just add to your sense of uneasiness.
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