Do Narcissists Really Have Dead Eyes?

Do narcissists have black eyes?

Not necessarily, but they may have a vacant expression. It has been claimed that people who suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder may have black pupils, suggesting the pupils are dilated. However, there’s limited research on the subject, but some studies suggest people who struggle to feel empathy (such as those with NPD) may actually experience dilated pupils less frequently than those who don’t. Claims that people with NPD have dead eyes, on the other hand, may be more accurate: research has suggested that people who struggle to experience empathy or have difficulty processing their emotions (both symptoms of NPD, but not exclusively) may possess a dead-eyed or vacant look and avoid looking others in the eye. However, it’s not just people with NPD who have dead or blank eyes. People may have a dead stare for any number of reasons pertaining to their mental health, fatigue, or other situation.

Why Some People May Have "Dead Eyes"

They could have a personality disorder (such as NPD). While not every person with NPD will have dead or black eyes (and, conversely, not everyone with dead or black eyes will have NPD), some studies have suggested there is a link between difficulty feeling empathy towards others and having dead eyes. However, a lack of empathy is a possible symptom of several different personality disorders, including NPD, Bipolar Disorder (BPD), and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).

They may have another disorder, such as PTSD. People who have undergone a severe trauma—such as combat veterans or victims of abuse—and are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may sometimes have a vacant or dead-eyed look. A blank gaze may indicate the person has dissociated from reality due to the trauma they’ve experienced. The term “1000-yard stare,” which refers to a vacant, tired facial expression, was originally coined to describe the blank gaze seen on the faces of combat veterans.

People may have a dead-eyed look when they’re tired or bored. Simply not getting enough sleep or attending a boring lecture could give someone a dead-eyed look—also sometimes called “staring into space” or "zoning out." After getting more sleep or doing something more stimulating, their gaze will likely become more lively again. Zoning out may also be more common among certain neurodivergent people, such as those with ADHD or autism. Not only do most people zone out now and again from lack of sleep or boredom—some people actually want the dead-eyed look and achieve it with makeup.

Can you tell if someone is a narcissist based on their looks?

No, but research suggests people with NPD may have common facial traits. Funny enough, studies suggest that people with NPD may have distinctive eyebrows. In one study, participants were able to accurately pick out people with NPD based on images of their eyes and brows. Interestingly enough, when participants were only showed pictures of the top half of the face, they were able to accurately pick out those with NPD, but when showed pictures of the bottom half of the face, they were unable to identify who had NPD. This indicates the eyes and brows may be more helpful in identifying narcissism. Still, it's not a black-and-white science, and it doesn't mean you can identify NPD at a glance.

People with NPD may be quicker to anger when rejected. While you can't necessarily identify someone with NPD based on their looks, some studies suggest they may be visibly quicker to anger when they feel rejected or humiliated. Because people with NPD tend to be concerned with how they appear to others and have a high need for admiration, you may notice after they experience disappointment or receive negative feedback that their eyebrows may furrow in frustration, compared to someone without NPD, who may be more likely to just let the disappointment roll off their shoulders. EXPERT TIP Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist Narcissists tend to have a sense of entitlement. They may want to think that they are right in every argument, so there's going to be a lot of defensiveness, there's not going to be much empathy for the other person's feelings. And they also seek admiration all the time.

Studies suggest people with NPD may put more care into their appearance. Everyone likes to look good, but people with NPD tend to go the extra mile. Research suggests people with NPD may be more likely than people without to pay extra attention to how they dress and groom themselves, as well as to highly value physical appearances generally. Female narcissists in particular may be more likely to wear excessive eye makeup and revealing clothing.

Final Thoughts

You can’t tell if someone is a narcissist based on their appearance. It would be very convenient if we could, but unfortunately, only a licensed therapist can really make that call. While there may be some physical traits common to people with narcissistic tendencies, there’s just not enough evidence to suggest you can spot someone with NPD at a glance. Rather than wondering whether someone you know has NPD, consider asking yourself if you feel safe and happy with them, regardless of any diagnosis. If the answer is no, it’s reason enough to keep your distance or set some boundaries.