Not all narcissists are overtly abusive and manipulative.
Many narcissists are quiet and subdued, presenting an innocent facade to those who don’t know them well. This is often how they lure you into their trap. You might ignore the red flags, console them even when they are to blame, and hope for their behavior to change, but it never does. This is because you’re dealing with a narcissist who processes emotions differently than the average person.
Why It’s Hard to Shut Down a Narcissist
Narcissism is more than just a term from Greek mythology; it is a serious character disorder. Narcissists believe their manipulative, self-victimizing, and self-important behaviors are normal and justified. They genuinely think they are always right and that others are the problem. This blog aims to help those dealing with narcissists, who often leave victims of devastating abuse in their wake.
Understanding the Narcissist’s Supply-Demand Mentality
To shut down a narcissist, you must understand their need for emotional and energy supply. Similar to substance abuse, narcissists crave emotions, attention, and validation from those around them. If you don’t give it willingly, they will create situations to extract it from you, often leading to fights and manipulative confrontations. The narcissist’s substance of choice includes sympathy, validation, reassurance, and even physical energy.
Consider how many times a narcissist has lured you into a fight, overreacted to minor inconveniences, or manipulated situations so that you end up apologizing to them. This pattern is not accidental; it is a calculated effort to draw out the emotional responses they crave.
The Parasitic Relationship
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