Boston-based psychologist Dr Monica O'Neal developed a short narcissism quiz

She based it on theories developed by famed psychologist Nancy McWilliams

Narcissists, she says, feel 'shame and discomfort' with basic human emotions

Her quiz touches on basic human vulnerabilities such as 'love and comfort'

Female friendships thrive on intimacy and emotional connection. Women want to feel emotionally connected and supported.

The intimate, face-to-face relationships between women have a lot to do with oxytocin, the bonding or "love potion" hormone.

Friendships between males are often more transactional. Men tend to value friendships that are more shared activity-based.

Waiting too long to vent your anger will make it impossible to do so assertively, since it's bound to come out aggressively.

One key reason not to react in fury when you feel offended is that you could be off-base about the other's (possibly benign) intentions.

Once you've gained additional insight into what you're actually reacting to in the provocative situation, your anger will likely soften.

Exceptional relationships positively contribute to our health, wealth, and happiness.

Truth-telling, honesty, and investment in each other's learning and growth characterize exceptional relationships.

It’s a good idea to go slow and be mindful of reciprocity as a relationship develops.

When people hear encouragement about setting boundaries, it might be taken as a criticism of their behaviors or their tendency towards kindness.

However, creating healthy boundaries doesn’t just solve an immediate problem of someone wanting more than you can give, it actually can re-shape how you see yourself, your relationships, and the people with whom you have built these relationships.

When we create boundaries that reflect who we are and what we value, they can change our lives in a variety of ways.

Rejection can induce stomach aches, fatigue, physical pain, and deep sadness.

Rejection often triggers shame which motivates further social isolation.

Seeking a new tribe offers the opportunity for different social connections and healing experiences.

There are seven basic types of friendships and they all have value.

Feeling that you are part of a larger community can positively affect life satisfaction and longevity.

Making the effort to connect and communicate with those who "people your life" can change your own life for the better.

Failure to distinguish between empaths and codependents has led to confusion about who is more vulnerable to the harmful behavior of the narcissist.

Empaths and codependents are alike in that both are above average in their compassion towards others.

While all empaths share highly perceptive nervous systems with which they are born, most codependents are known to have common childhood experiences which shape their personalities.

The vulnerability of the codependent lies in their extreme sense of responsibility for others, their need for approval from others, and their difficulty setting clear boundaries.

Thinking about relationship patterns in terms of self-esteem and shame can help us understand our behaviors and where relationships go wrong.

The Relationship Grid was developed by therapist Terry Real and is a way to visualize where your primary maladaptive relationship style trends.

No matter where you fall on The Relationship Grid, we should aim for the middle ground between extremes.

When it comes to relationships, people don't mindfully enter into negotiation.

A relationship will only be successful if it's based on equality.

The first step toward having an equal relationship is for each person to determine if they really want equality.

Arguments can quickly get out of hand. Here's how to rein them in.

• Arguments are usually fueled by five common triggers.

• The key to managing the argument is realizing when the conversation is going off course.

• When emotions ramp up, the problem is emotion not the issue.

You know boundary setting is important, but how do you actually do it? A therapist shares an easy-to-follow script so you know exactly what to say.