What Happens when a narcissist is exposed?<\/em><\/strong> Let\u2019s first get into how to expose a narcissist and what you can expect from their reaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to know the right circumstances for exposing a narcissist. After all, the reactions tend to be dramatic and intense- you want to feel prepared emotionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not uncommon to lie, conceal, or downplay<\/a> the narcissist\u2019s behavior. Usually, this happens if you feel concerned about other people judging you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But everyone deserves love and support. If you want to build connections with other people, you may need to be more honest with them. Try to find your own friends (rather than mutual ones) that you can lean on. If you are a victim of Narcissistic Abuse, you will need help, support, and a way to escape your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading Suggestions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve decided to end the relationship, you may need to expose the narcissist<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, it\u2019s nobody\u2019s business what you do in your personal life. You don\u2019t owe anyone an explanation for your decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it\u2019s no secret that narcissists don\u2019t react well to rejection. When faced with rejection, they may try to conspire to turn everyone against you. If this happens, you may need to stand your ground and share your truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know the narcissist is acting sketchy, you may be complicit in their behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The narcissist will work hard to rationalize their behavior. They might try to assure you that everyone else is doing it or that they aren\u2019t doing anything wrong. They may even insult you and insist that you\u2019re acting paranoid over nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that narcissists think they are above the rules. They often struggle with authority and leadership because they don\u2019t like to follow someone else\u2019s direction. Even if they know they\u2019re doing something wrong, they can usually justify it because they think they\u2019re entitled to the rewards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you stay silent, you are enabling the behavior. In the worst-case scenario, you may be held liable for their actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several ways you can expose a narcissist. No matter which method you choose, it\u2019s important to remember that a successful exposure doesn\u2019t mean the narcissist responds favorably. They usually won\u2019t. Instead, it means that you\u2019ve done your job in sharing your perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if they disregard the truth, logic and facts are the only sensible weapon you have against narcissists. The narcissist may disagree with your reasoning, but rational people won\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Get in the habit of writing down things as they happen. Keep it objective and neutral, and keep this notebook in a secure place. Narcissists thrive on gaslighting the people around them- they can do a great job at convincing you that you don\u2019t remember things correctly or that you\u2019re acting dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By writing it down, you are documenting the events as they happen in real-time. This information can help you when you expose them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, sticking to logic and facts removes the emotional element out of your discussion. It\u2019s no longer about your subjective experience- it\u2019s about confronting reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Narcissists can and will manipulate people when they are enabled to do so. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to identify and implement healthy boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your boundaries may fluctuate depending on the relationship. It may also depend on your personal comfort. Some common boundary goals include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your boundaries inadvertently may expose the narcissist to their own behavior. By refusing to put up with their tactics, you stand a firm ground in honoring your self-worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to remember that exposing a narcissist can be dangerous. You have to consider the pros and cons before moving forward with your decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you probably know, narcissists rarely want to change their behavior. They like attention, even when it\u2019s negative. That\u2019s why, rather than trying to level the playing field, ignoring them tends to yield the best revenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s because your attempts to exposure may rile them up even more. They may become more combative and hostile. They will work as hard as they can to get other people to side with them, which can leave you feeling even more resentful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few situations can occur. It depends on the family system and the narcissist\u2019s patterns with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In one common scenario, the family acts as an enabling system for the narcissist. They may enable the behavior with generic cliches like, that\u2019s just how he is! <\/em>Instead of acknowledging the damaging effects of their behavior, they have chosen to ignore it. They may assume that it\u2019s not even worth discussing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many times, the family fears the narcissist\u2019s rage. To reduce the chance of making them feel angry, the family will appease their needs. This is a way to maintain the family\u2019s homeostasis, but it also means the narcissist holds most of the power and control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some cases, the family feels a sense of relief when the narcissist is exposed. They may have been feeling trapped and resentful. Indeed, there can be a sense of justice in watching the narcissist unravel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of the circumstance, it can be challenging for family members to set boundaries around the narcissist\u2019s behavior. They have often maintained a dysfunctional dynamic for many years, and changing that behavior can feel incredibly uncomfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the narcissist feels so protective over their ego, public exposure or through social media, is a tremendous threat. Any form of public humiliation can trigger extreme reactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Narcissists are preoccupied by making sure they\u2019re right. If someone or something jeopardizes their self-assurance, they move into a survival stance. They may lash out in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading Suggestions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many narcissists alternate between these reactions. How they respond depends on the crowd, their relationship to the people around them, and their particular mood. That said, most narcissists have patterns. You can start to learn how to predict how they will handle uncomfortable situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, no. And if they do forgive you, they want to make you earn it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When a narcissist feels exposed, they instantly feel threatened. But instead of acknowledging that vulnerability, they move straight into anger. In some cases, the anger manifests as pure rage and disgust (Narcissistic Rage)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, you\u2019re <\/em>the bad guy. You\u2019re <\/em>the terrible person for turning against them. You\u2019re <\/em>at fault for everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They will also try to inflict guilt. How could you do this to me? Why would you want to destroy this family? What do you want people to think about us? What\u2019s wrong with you? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you struggle with low self-esteem, narcissists know precisely how to exacerbate your insecurities. That\u2019s because they have spent a great deal of time and energy learning your weaknesses. That work has allowed them to try to exploit you when they see fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If they opt to forgive you, they often make a big deal out of it. This can sound like dramatic statements like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, these statements are a form of gaslighting<\/a>. The narcissist is attempting to manipulate your reality and make you question your truth. They also want to make you feel bad for making them feel bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The end result is obvious: they want you to feel so guilty and ashamed that you never <\/em>think about repeating that same mistake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What happens after exposing a Narcissist? There is a chance they won\u2019t recognize what you\u2019ve done as \u201cexposure.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, they will often insist that you\u2019re lying. A narcissist\u2019s truth can be so distorted from reality that they actually believe their own lies, even when the lies seem utterly delusional to everyone else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, they might try to retaliate<\/a> by exposing you. They will reveal your secrets to garner attention or sympathy from other people. They will try to manipulate the story<\/a> to make you <\/em>look like you\u2019re in the wrong. Beware of aggressive Narcissists and the possibility of Narcissistic Rage<\/a> that might be unleashed on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Narcissists may also play the victim. For example, they might acknowledge their wrongdoings, but they will also provide incessant excuses for why they absolutely had <\/em>to do what they did. Instead of taking ownership for their actions, they simply shift the blame.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Should You Expose a Narcissist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You Need Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You Are Moving on From the Relationship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ve Witnessed Dangerous, Fraudulent, or Illegal Behavior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Do You Expose a Narcissist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stick to Logic and Facts <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stay Firm With Your Boundaries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Expose a Narcissist to Others?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What if You Expose a Narcissist to Their Family?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What About Exposing the Narcissist in Public?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Will the Narcissist Forgive You if You Expose Them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Does A Narcissist Do When Confronted?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thenarcissisticlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/how-do-you-expose-a-narcissist.jpg\")
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