20 Shocking Truths About Narcissism: A Twisty Tour through Diagnosis and Treatment
15. The Constant Need for Validation: A Bottomless Pit

A core, exhausting truth of NPD is the relentless, insatiable need for external validation. This isn't just about wanting compliments; it's a desperate, constant craving for admiration and affirmation to prop up their fragile self-esteem. Like a bottomless pit, no amount of praise is ever truly enough, as it only temporarily fills an internal void. This constant demand for external mirroring leaves partners and family exhausted, revealing the profound insecurity driving their seemingly confident facade.