Narcissists are basically people who think the world revolves around them (or if it doesn’t, it should!). I (Paul) am a psychiatrist who has treated hundreds of people with this personality trait and thousands who have been negatively impacted by narcissists. In 1993, I appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss a book I had written about narcissists called Don’t Let Jerks Get the Best of You, and another book on codependency (about being addicted to having narcissistic friends or mates) called Love Is a Choice.

In reality, we all have a few of these narcissistic tendencies. For many years, I have felt a strong need to write a serious psychological book about the causes and cures of narcissism and how to protect ourselves from narcissists. I have known and worked with one of my editors over the years, so she knows that I, like most authors, have a few of these narcissistic traits. So I asked her jokingly, “What do you want me to call the book, Narcissism and How I Attained It?” I told her it could consist of three hundred pictures of me along with a two-page autobiography. She laughed and said, “Paul, just try to recall any people you have come across in your life and career who are more narcissistic than you are and write about them!” I told her I thought I could do that.

A few years ago, I enjoyed a TV special based on the New York Times bestseller You Might Be a Redneck If…. So, shortly after that, some friends of mine and I jokingly and spontaneously thought of some ideas for “You Might Be a Narcissist If…” We took turns making up one-liners about narcissistic behaviors we have observed in people over the years (including ourselves!). It created a more lighthearted avenue to confront each other on our own narcissistic traits. In fact, one night, I was supposed to pick up my friends at 6:00 p.m. for a ride to the restaurant where we had reservations, Read More