A relationship with a narcissist is a blocked road. Narcissistic relationships can be complicated to cope with. It’s very important to understand what narcissistic relationships are and how they affect those involved. Narcissistic relationships are based on a complex set of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a condition where the person has an inflated sense of self-importance, an extreme preoccupation with themselves and personal adequacy, and a lack of empathy for others. While it’s not a mental illness, it can cause distress and harm to people close to the narcissist. This can happen both because of the narcissist’s behavior and because of the way the narcissist’s behavior affects others.