Narcissists are a resilient bunch who are less likely to feel stressed or depressed than the rest of us. It hardly seems fair. Their actions and behavior have such a negative impact on those around them! This resilience means it can be challenging to make a narcissist feel bad. No matter what you say, they … Read more
A narcissistic breakdown happens when someone with narcissistic personality disorder feels vulnerable or exposed and can’t rely on their usual defenses to cope. This breakdown is a response to their narcissistic supply being cut off or changed, and it can result in narcissists acting enraged, impulsive, or extremely defensive. Because narcissists have fragile self-esteem, they … Read more
Narcissists underestimate others because it makes them feel powerful and entitled. They often look down on people once they realize their inevitable humanness. Because narcissists often see things from a black-or-white perspective, anything that’s less than perfect is perceived to be a failure. Once they start devaluing another person, the underestimating begins. Although feeling underestimated … Read more
When you were a baby, you copied everything your mother did. You breathed in when she inhaled, exhaled when she did, smiled when she smiled and cried when you saw she was sad. This was how you learned how to communicate and engage with other people, and it’s what you continue to do to create … Read more
It’s tempting to give narcissists the benefit of the doubt, especially if you’re in love with one. You might want to believe that they’re unaware of their destructive behavior and that their manipulative ways are completely subconscious. Many people who’ve struggled to survive a narcissistic relationship have asked themselves, “Do narcissists know what they are … Read more
Your decision and ability to ignore a narcissist’s hoover is the catalyst for breaking the narcissistic abuse cycle. Just like the Hoover vacuum cleaner, narcissists work hard to “suck” their victims back into their orbits. Rejecting these hoovering efforts often magnifies their gaslighting, harms their ego, and triggers their narcissistic rage. The more you can … Read more
Narcissists are damaged individuals forced into a cyclical life in which they’re either on top of the world or down in the dumps. There is no in-between for a narcissist, and the downsides are so extreme and unpleasant that they’ll do everything they can to avoid them, including gaslighting you. Narcissists use gaslighting to manipulate … Read more
If you’ve ever been a victim of gaslighting, you’ll know how traumatic it can be. Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse and manipulation that can have a devastating effect on its victims, especially if it continues for an extended period. Gaslighting is all about using psychological and manipulative tactics to make someone question their … Read more
In the narcissistic abuse cycle, discard represents the final phase. When a narcissist discards someone, they have chosen to fully end their relationship. You’re basically dead to them, no matter how connected you two were. All narcissistic behaviors are painful, but the discard can be one of the most debilitating. It can truly feel like … Read more
As a rule, narcissists only care about themselves, so they will never feel bad for hurting you as long as they get what they need from the situation. When a narcissist hurts you, it makes them feel better than you. It proves to them that they’re in control of the situation, and your emotions, which … Read more