Number two: they absorb toxic debates. Some people put on news channels to stay informed; narcissists tune in to watch verbal combat. My father would spend hours glued to television panels where commentators shouted over each other. He did not just watch; his face mirrored the tension, his jaw clenched. Sometimes he would mutter under his breath or slam his hand on the arm of the chair.
Why does this draw them in? Because hostility on screen echoes a turbulence inside them. They do not want calm; they want resonance. The bickering validates their own anger, a way of saying, “See, the world is as chaotic as they feel.” That’s why they rarely choose calm documentaries or gentle shows. Anything that lowers the temperature threatens their identity. If you have lived with a narcissist, you may notice how their mood shifts after watching such content. They walk away more irritable and more ready to snap at whoever crosses their path.
Escaping into Hollow Comedy: A False Sense of Joy
Number three: they escape into hollow comedy shows. Not every strange pastime is loud; sometimes it looks like harmless entertainment. My father often retreated into comedy shows that were vulgar and shallow. Laughter tracks roared in the background while he sat there with a strange smile. The jokes were tasteless, sometimes even cruel, and he seemed hypnotized by them.
What is happening is a form of escapism. A narcissist does not want to sit with the discomfort of their own thoughts, so they drown them out with cheap humor. But unlike a family gathering where everyone laughs together, their laughter is private and oddly cold. It does not soften them or make them friendlier afterwards; it just suspends their gloom for a while. I’ve seen survivors blame themselves for not sharing that fun side. The truth is those hollow moments are not real joy; they’re a performance for the self, a way to pretend they’re happy without risking closeness.
Auditing Expenses: Control Through Financial Scrutiny
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