One of the most insidious tactics narcissists use is playing the victim. They are masters at crafting elaborate stories of betrayal and hardship, portraying themselves as the ones who were wronged.
Suddenly, they’ll claim you’ve mistreated them, abandoned them, or failed to appreciate their sacrifices. You might hear statements like:
- “After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?”
- “I was just trying to help, and now you’re making me the bad guy.”
These stories are rarely grounded in truth, but they’re highly effective at triggering feelings of guilt and pity. Narcissists rely on your empathy, using emotional outbursts or exaggerated tales to make you second-guess your decisions to leave.
It’s important to remember that this tactic has nothing to do with genuine remorse or accountability. Their goal isn’t to make amends—it’s to keep you in their sphere of control by preying on your compassion.
3. Love Bombing
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