Understanding and Dealing with Narcissistic Behavior
Understanding and dealing with narcissistic behavior can feel like an insurmountable task. Narcissists are driven by their sense of entitlement and their need for control, attention, and admiration.
Without these, they can become unpredictable and even dangerous. But how can you drive a narcissist insane, or at the very least, protect yourself from their manipulative tactics?
What Drives a Narcissist Insane?
Narcissists thrive on the belief that they are superior to everyone else. This inflated sense of self-love is essential to their personality.
Anything that threatens this belief, such as criticism or dismissal, can cause a narcissist to become irrational and even dangerous. Some of the behaviors that drive a narcissist insane include:
- Criticism: A narcissist cannot tolerate being criticized or blamed for anything, especially in public.
- Dismissiveness: Ignoring or dismissing a narcissist is threatening to them because it signals a lack of attention, which is something they crave.
- Independence: Narcissists believe that they are entitled to control others, and anything that threatens their ability to do this can be incredibly frustrating.
- Attention: A narcissist needs attention like oxygen, and they will do anything to get it. Not giving them the attention they crave can drive a narcissist mad.
- Control: Narcissists will go to great lengths to maintain control. Anything that threatens their control, such as someone defying their wishes, can cause them to lash out.
- Gloating: Narcissists love to brag about themselves and their achievements. Anything that challenges their superiority can drive them insane.
- Entitlement: Narcissists believe that they are special and that they deserve special treatment. Denying them this can lead to unpredictable behavior.
- Indifference: Narcissists need constant validation. If they sense that someone is indifferent to them, they may go to great lengths to change that.
How to Drive a Narcissist Nuts
Dealing with a narcissist can be a frustrating and exhausting experience. However, there are specific tactics that can make life more manageable.
Here are some ways you can mess with a narcissist and take back control:
Talk to Someone, Anyone Else
Don’t underestimate the power of socialization. When in the same social setting as a narcissist, engage with other people nearby instead of talking to the narcissist.
Refusing to give a narcissist attention can drive them insane.
Call Him Out on a Lie
Challenge a narcissist’s lies indirectly. Highlight flaws in their story by emphasizing how other people have experienced similar things.
Refraining from attacking the narcissist directly can avoid them becoming defensive and volatile.
Be Vague About Where You’ve Been
The continuous need for permission is something that narcissists crave.
Begin being vague about your whereabouts or plans. When they pry, give ambiguous answers.
This undermines their control tactics.
Celebrate a Milestone Relentlessly
Celebrate your milestones, and don’t be afraid of showing off your happiness. Narcissists thrive on their superiority.
By announcing a milestone greater than anything the narcissist has accomplished, it is likely they will become competitive, promoting a rage response.
Diffuse the Love Bombs
Love Bombing or The Narcissist’s Double Life is a manipulation tactic where the narcissist showers affection, gifts, and compliments in an attempt to gain attention, power, or control. Diffuse this behavior, or redirect the attention given to someone else.
Abruptly Change Your Behavior
Narcissists are reliant on predictability and struggle to cope with surprises. Changing things that may seem insignificant, such as dressing differently or making unexpected comments, can trigger the narcissist and upset their sense of control.
Do What You Want
Norms are another thing that narcissists are dependent on. Because they believe themselves to be special and superior, doing something that causes them discomfort shows their weakness.
Enjoy life and don’t let their opinion affect your enjoyment.
Offer Some (Any) Criticism
Narcissists have a false exterior placing weight in an inflated sense of self-importance. Offering criticism, even if it’s something as simple as criticizing their pronunciation, can allow you to break down the exterior and get your power back.
Delight in the Discard
When a narcissist discards someone, they are doing just that; they will move on to someone else to control and manipulate. When leaving, celebrate the newly found freedom and set up an insubordinate attitude.
Don’t Be Impressed
Narcissists have an insatiable appetite for attention and admiration, and they will boast about their achievements. Show the narcissist that their bragging doesn’t impress or affect you.
Doing this takes the power of their admiration away.
Terminate Triangulation Attempts
Narcissists commonly triangulate people, putting them at odds with one another in an attempt to control a situation. Refuse to engage in this and call out the game, and you’re in a situation that brings comfort.
Set Fierce Boundaries
Narcissists love to break boundaries at any opportunity they can. You must be assertive and vocal with setting these boundaries and standing watch over them to maintain control and take away their sense of control.
Desensitize Yourself to His Abuse
Narcissists enjoy controlling those around them by chipping away their self-worth with emotional and psychological abuse. Training yourself to become desensitized with their manipulative tactics towards control, and you can become immune to the pain they inflict and finally take your power back.
Agree With Everything He Says
Reverse sarcasm or humor in which no one’s hurt. Agreeing to everything the narcissist says can take away narcissistic control and power.
As a result, it opens up room to offer new perspectives on topics you hold dear. In conclusion, dealing with a narcissist is never an easy task.
They will stop at nothing to maintain control over themselves and those around them. But using the specific tactics mentioned above, you can take back your power and protect yourself from their manipulative tactics.
Remember always to be proactive in protecting your mental and emotional health and never stop being your own advocate. Dealing with a narcissist can be a frustrating experience, but it’s essential to handle it with caution.
What Not to Do When Dealing With a Narcissist
-
Don’t Tell Them They’re a Narcissist
Bringing up the subject of their narcissistic behavior will likely raise their defenses, trigger gaslighting, and may even lead to the perpetrator gaslighting you as they attempt to turn the blame towards you.
Not only will it not help the situation, it’ll likely make things worse.
It’s essential to understand that a narcissist doesn’t see themselves as having any faults, and they will reject any suggestion that they do.
-
Don’t Smear Their Name
Narcissists have their own set of vulnerabilities and skeletons.
However, exploiting those vulnerabilities or weaknesses will not give you the result you want.
Posting inappropriate memes, spreading rumors, photoshopping images, and doxing will only make the narcissist more volatile and vindictive.
And instead of punishing the narcissist, you become the one in the wrong.
-
Don’t Embarrass Them Publicly
Defcon 5 on the nuclear weapon scale is a social embarrassment to a narcissist, not only to their life but to their social circle, and it shows them that they hold no control beyond their being.
Publicly commenting on their insecurities or insults where many are watching will always make the situation worse.
How to Truly Piss Off a Narcissist
While we’ve covered things you should avoid, you may wonder what you can do to really piss off a narcissist. Below are a few things you can do:
-
Survival Mode: Walk Away
There’s no better feeling to a narcissist than having the last word, so denying them that pleasure by walking away may enrage them further.
Narcissists dislike this because they thrive off of reactions and responses from the people they’re trying to control.
Their dominance and control over everyone’s lives are threatened, making them feel powerless and shaming them further.
-
Battle Cry of No Contact
A battle cry of no contact leaves a narcissist feeling powerless and enraged. The idea of you living a happy life without them is a great threat to their control over you.
It’s essential to break the bond since the person is not capable of healthy relationships.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever dealt with a narcissist, you know how challenging it can be to deal with their toxic and manipulative behavior. However, you can protect yourself by avoiding things that will trigger more drama, such as telling them they’re a narcissist or exploiting their vulnerabilities.
The best thing to do is to walk away. Remember that narcissists enjoy control, so denying them that power can be an effective way to minimize their impact on your life.
Stay strong and remember that you deserve to live a happy life. In conclusion, dealing with a narcissist can be challenging, but by understanding specific tactics to deal with them, you can take back control and protect yourself from their manipulative tactics.
It’s essential to consider what not to do when dealing with a narcissist and remember that walking away from the situation and breaking the bond can be the best thing for your mental and emotional well-being. Remember always to be proactive in protecting your mental health, set boundaries, and never stop being your own advocate.
By implementing these strategies, you can minimize the impact of a narcissist’s harmful influence on your life and move on to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling future.
