Smear Campaign
A smear campaign is a malicious tactic narcissists employ to tarnish your reputation and turn others against you. They may fabricate stories, spread false information, or twist events to make you appear in a negative light. By doing so, the narcissist aims to control the narrative, gain sympathy or support from others, and undermine your credibility. The narcissist may engage in character assassination during a smear campaign, spreading untruths about your personal and professional life. They will try to influence how others perceive you by disseminating information that presents you unfavorably. The effects on your relationships, reputation, and general well-being can be detrimental, potentially driving you back into their arms. It’s crucial to be resilient, uphold your integrity, and surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you despite the narcissist’s attempts to discredit you.
Guilt-Tripping
Guilt-tripping is a common tactic narcissists employ to evoke feelings of guilt and responsibility and manipulate you into resuming contact. They may use emotional manipulation techniques to make you doubt your decision to cut contact and question whether you are being too harsh or unreasonable. To make themselves appear powerless without you, the narcissist may play the victim, highlighting how upset they are by your actions to arouse your sympathy and compassion. They might say things like, “How could you leave me?” or “You’re breaking my heart.” They do this to place the responsibility on you and make you feel bad for setting boundaries.
Silent Treatment
The silent treatment is a passive-aggressive tactic used by narcissists to exert control and power over you. It involves intentionally ignoring you, refusing to engage in communication, or even acknowledging your presence to provoke a reaction from you and force you to seek their attention. The narcissist wants to make you feel anxious, apprehensive, and distressed. By giving you the silent treatment, they expect you to desire their validation and approval, eventually pushing you to cross your limits and contact them. This strategy aims to reaffirm their dominance and authority over the relationship.
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