Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by excessive self-love and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Narcissists have a tendency to manipulate and exploit others for their own gain, and can make life extremely difficult for those around them.
Here are five tips for handling a narcissist and breaking the cycle of manipulation and exploitation.
1. Recognize that you are dealing with a symbiotic parasitic relationship
The first thing to understand when dealing with a narcissist is that they are not a normal person with normal motivations. They are emotion-generating entities that use their actions to induce reactions in others. Their ultimate goal is to manipulate and exploit others for their own gain, so it is important to recognize that the relationship between you and a narcissist is not a genuine one.
2. Take the focus off the narcissist and put it on yourself
The second step in handling a narcissist is to break the cycle of action and reaction. Narcissists act to induce a reaction in others, and if you continue to react to their actions, you are simply playing into their hands. In order to break the cycle, you must detach yourself emotionally from the situation and focus on your own well-being and communication with yourself.
3. Practice detachment
Detachment is the key to breaking the cycle of manipulation and exploitation. It takes the discipline of a warrior to remain calm and collected in the face of a narcissist’s actions, and to not allow their words or actions to control your emotions. By practicing detachment, you can maintain control over your own thoughts, feelings, and reactions, and prevent the narcissist from manipulating you.
4. Disrupt the supply lines
To defeat the enemy, you must disrupt their supply lines. In the case of a narcissist, their power and strength come from their ability to induce emotions in others. By breaking the cycle of action and reaction and practicing detachment, you are disrupting the supply lines of their power, and taking away their ability to manipulate and exploit you.
5. Seek support
Dealing with a narcissist can be emotionally and mentally draining, so it is important to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist. Talking to someone about your experiences can help you to process your feelings, and to find ways to cope with the situation. Remember, you are not alone, and there are people who care about you and are willing to support you.
In conclusion, dealing with a narcissist can be a challenging and difficult experience, but by recognizing the nature of the relationship, breaking the cycle of action and reaction, practicing detachment, disrupting the supply lines, and seeking support, you can protect yourself from their manipulation and exploitation. Stay strong, and remember to focus on your own well-being and emotional detachment.
The narcissist will only leave you alone for good if THEY are the ones ditching you. So do everything to get yourself discarded asap. Then stay away and silent until they get bored and replace you. You as a person are not important for them and they can’t exist alone for long. Let them make someone else’s life miserable and celebrate your new life in peace and freedom.
1-2 months back I came to the conclusion that my boss is a narcissist, using me and my colleagues to get his narcissistic supply. After 1 year, being very close to a depression and being very exhausted, I started to fight him back, exactly how you described it in your article (lowering contact and shifting the focus from “I should give him something” to “what is in it for me” mindset and the results are really mind blowing.
At that moment where you shift the mindset, you can clearly see how insane their view of the world is. For them, you are just a little worm that they need in order to get something. And sooner and sooner, they start losing control over themselves and It’s almost like you’re dealing with a child who is absolutely lost in the world when losing control over the people around them.. and the more they lose control over you, the more their actions become more and more illogical and they start doing big mistakes where they pull themselves further and further into a black hole… people around will also notice the narcissist at that point.
At that point, just keep going, lean back and read how they destroy themselves more and more.
Do not get to the point where you feel any remorse, resist any further charm and ignore the guilt they are trying to induce in you in order to control you. They would destroy you as soon as they get the chance to do so.
Everybody comes naturally at that point, where you start shifting the mindset when dealing with the narcissist. It’s at that moment, where you realize that you don’t need them.
Honestly, after reading your for years now, I didn’t believe that narcissism would be that insane…
Can a narcissist ever be really happy in his life?
As much as I hate the idea of Manipulating anyone ever, or playing games etc, I do appreciate the reminders that this is already a game they are playing with you, and that it’s not, and should not be treated as a normal healthy relationship, where openness, authenticity, vulnerability, respect, and mutual benefit is ever going to be their goal, no matter what they proclaim, and that the actions and habits are the only thing we have to go on. Also appreciate the reminder to not react, not be in echo mode. Tho often that lie contact needs to look exactly like echoing their last words, “so let me get this straight, you think….. Oh, OK. We’re all entitled to our own opinions. Cool”
i’ve been doing all this instinctively since i’ve realized my mother, with whom i live, is a narcissist–thanks to kind people like yourself that she this very useful info
her specialty over the years has been the silent treatment. turns out she doesn’t like it in return cuz it minimizes opportunities for her to be out-of-control angry and shriek at me. she’s doing weird little things that i can’t decide if it’s the narcissism or dementia (she’s 78), or both. she’s quite coherent, but she certainly has moments where i’m left wondering. frankly, to me she’s already dead, i’m just waiting patiently for her body to get cold. kinda sad to feel that way about my mother given that i moved in here optimistic that i could make her life better and her final years easier. she’s just made everything worse for me and now i pity and despise her. it’s also inspired me to re-evaluate my entire life and time spent with her. well done on her part.