2. Overgeneralizing
Narcissists generalize things a lot. If they see you making a mistake, they instantly devalue you, erasing everything positive you may have done for them. They generalize and say you are a bad person, applying this understanding to all other situations. They use “always” and “never” a lot. For example, if they think you have criticized them, they will say you always criticize them every single time you talk, always complain, and always cry about the things they do. One small mistake, and everything is ruined; now, you are a bad person. This generalization technique is used to justify their bad behavior and abusive treatment.
3. Black-and-White Thinking
Narcissists think in black and white, easily villainizing or idealizing you. As a survivor of narcissistic abuse, you may have experienced high highs and low lows—idealization followed by devaluation. Either you are the love of their life if you comply, or you are their biggest enemy if you don’t. They cannot handle the gray area. For example, if your narcissistic partner cheats on you and you hold them accountable, they will minimize their actions by comparing them to worse scenarios. They believe their actions are not as bad as they could have been, so you should forgive them. This black-and-white thinking and compartmentalization make it difficult to counter their arguments and break you as a person.
How To Defeat a Narcissist in Any Argument
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