2. They can’t handle genuine joy unless it’s theirs.
A narcissist’s mood dips the moment everyone else’s mood lifts. That’s no coincidence; it’s sabotage disguised as sulking. Psychologist Lindsay Gibson, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, explains that narcissists often see other people’s happiness as a threat to their own sense of control and importance. When they’re not the center of that happiness, it almost feels like rejection to them. So, they ruin the moment through backhanded comments, sudden illnesses, or dramatic exits. They’ll do anything to suck the joy out of the room and funnel the emotional energy right back to themselves. They’re allergic to not being the main character, even at someone else’s celebration.
3. They sabotage planning to maintain control.
When narcissists flake on plans, they’re not just being forgetful; they’re trying to stay in the driver’s seat. George Simon, author of In Sheep’s Clothing, says this kind of behavior is a covert form of manipulation called “control by disruption.” The more unstable the plans are, the more you scramble to fix things, and guess who ends up holding the emotional remote control? It’s the narcissists. It’s not about the party or the plan; it’s about keeping you off balance so they stay in charge. They like watching you twist yourself into a pretzel trying to make everything work. It feeds their ego and makes them feel powerful without even lifting a finger. Meanwhile, you’re left feeling exhausted, confused, and somehow still thinking it’s your fault. That’s how sneaky and damaging their game truly is.
Continue reading on the next page
Sharing is caring!
