Concept: Credit is a statement attributing a positive outcome to the intentions and actions of an individual. Narcissists crave credit whenever they are involved (or can claim involvement) in a successful endeavor.

How this counteracts a narcissist’s insecurities: Narcissists feel great internal shame. To combat that insecurity, they seek to prove their worth to themselves and others. Credit for successes is a direct means of obtaining the proof and reinforces their false narratives of greatness and superiority over others.

Examples:

1. A boss replaces the name of a subordinate on a groundbreaking report with his own.
2. A father who abandoned his young child claims that his child’s advanced degree is a result of his leaving and ensuring the child knew how to achieve goals without help.
3. A spouse claims that she helped her wife overcome a serious illness by providing the insurance that improved her even though she dumped her spouse in the hospital and never visited.

Advice: No matter how little narcissists do to achieve goals, they will crave, claim, and cajole credit for the success. Being in a relationship with someone like this keeps an antagonist close to you who will constantly steal credit from you and leave only blame for you when things go wrong.

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