Narcissism is defined as an individual excessively admiring oneself and seeing one’s importance as high. When encountering a narcissistic person, you may have questioned why they are like this. So, what causes narcissism. Therapist Brianna Paruolo has provided explanations on the real reasons behind narcissism. If you have come across a narcissist, you may have wondered, “What led them to this point?” Therapist Brianna Paruolo has made significant statements on the actual causes of narcissism. Paruolo mentions that this issue begins in childhood. A recent study published in the Personality Journal revealed that social rejection experienced in early childhood can lead to narcissistic personality traits. According to the research, being excluded in childhood creates feelings of loneliness, which combined with “dark characteristics” like narcissism shapes one’s personality. However, Paruolo emphasizes that social rejection alone cannot trigger narcissism. Paruolo suggests that rejection can lead to narcissism in some children, but many children grow up healthily despite such exclusion. The most crucial factor is the support system the child has. “An empathetic adult helping the child understand that their value is not measured by rejection can assist the child in recovering more healthily,” says Paruolo. Children growing up without support may develop protective shields, such as narcissism. The child’s relationship with their parents plays a significant role in the formation of narcissism. Paruolo mentions that parents’ unpredictable behaviors, i.e., treating a child as valuable at one moment and being cold and critical at other times, can lead to the development of a narcissistic personality. Children tightly hold on to the feeling of being special to avoid feeling worthless, and over time, this trait becomes a dominant part of their personality. It is possible to notice early signs of a child showing narcissistic tendencies. Paruolo states that if a child constantly justifies themselves, shows indifference to others’ feelings, or cannot handle criticism, it indicates early signs of narcissism. Additionally, characteristics such as unreasonably becoming aggressive when disappointed, perfectionism, and refusing to accept their mistakes can be observed. Spotting these signs does not mean that the child will grow up to be a narcissistic adult. Paruolo offers some suggestions for parents on how to help their children’s emotional development. “Showing healthy coping mechanisms by acknowledging feelings without portraying rejection as the end of the world is crucial,” she says. Teaching children that their self-worth is independent of popularity and offering unconditional love will be a good start for healthy personality development. Parents may not have complete control over what kind of person their children will grow up to be, but they can provide important opportunities to prepare them for emotional and social success. By not encouraging unhealthy emotional patterns, they can prevent the formation of narcissistic personalities.