September 24, 2022September 21, 2022 by Jennifer March

The Powerful Lies From a Toxic Narcissist

Exploring the outcome of a narcissist’s lies, from a narcissistic abuse survivor

Lies are the bloodline of a narcissist.

Behind every toxic narcissist’s actions lies a burning desire to take what they feel they deserve. Besides, anything that they want is already theirs anyway (to them, at least).

Growing up, I was faced with a narcissist that consistently laid reign over my life in one way or another. Getting to understand them, I learned that I could not trust a damn thing that came out of their mouth.

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The lies would grow, morph and shapeshift into whatever the narcissist needed at that time. The constant lies left me with whiplash (and growing unrest about what the truth really was).

Sorting through the lies of a narcissist is an incompletable task. How can I be so sure what they told me one day will match the next? I cannot speak for every narcissist out there, but I can share my experience with the one I know all too well.

Simply leaving me to sort through their lies kept me engaged and thinking about them. Every breadcrumb lie I saw focused on the narcissist–this is where why wanted me.

A narcissist can take your trust, time, dedication, and energy.

How does this happen?

A narcissist takes from you by lying to get you where they want you.

Keeping me on the hook

I was the narcissist’s current focus of interest.

If you stand in the way of a narcissist, you’ll face the wrath of your betrayal. I found this out the hard way, trying to keep up with the narcissist’s lies.

The reality is a mere suggestion to a narcissist; their ‘truth’ trumps all else. And it makes sense, right? When someone is desperate to feel powerful they are deeply insecure.

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Being tied to a narcissist in any way will have some sort of negative effect on you. I was always given the nicest, sweetest voice from the narcissist. Additionally, I was hit with hurtful a statement representing their lack of love for me as a family member.

Your time is valuable. I noticed how much my time meant to the narcissist. I painted the picture of the life they wanted me to see, not the cracks I seemed to notice.

What is most valuable to a narcissist is your time and energy. The narcissist kept me on the hook with all their lies, probably adoring the special attention. But ultimately, I stood in the way of what they wanted.

The narcissist would always gaslight me — even through text messages. If they didn’t remember it happening, then it never happened. Period.

What kind of person can live like that? Well, a narcissist can.

It can describe someone who isn’t formally diagnosed but displays a set pattern of symptoms consistent with narcissism.

Suggested Reading: Understanding the Disorder Behind a Narcissist

I can only speak about the narcissist in my life, but mine is keen on staying the way they are. They aren’t able to see the destructive nature of their behavior.

Understanding a narcissist comes with the task of understanding how a narcissist behaves.

Lies are their truth

Lies keep a narcissist’s image, reputation, and demands always fulfilled. The lies told by a narcissist are filled with confusion and misunderstanding.

The narcissist always chose to lie, even when the truth was right in front of their face. I saw it, clear as day.

With all of these lies, does a narcissist really believe them? Yes! Of course, they do; they need to. They must believe their lies — they simply can’t let the truth slip out.

It’s almost as if the truth would cause a narcissist would lose everything. While that isn’t always the case, it may be earth-shattering for the narcissist.

I kept track of the different answers to the same question I would receive. But I was never allowed to question that; it wasn’t something I needed to concern myself with — well, according to the rest of my family.

But it was hard to ignore the various lies I had to sort through. The mountainous lies that pile on top of one another are nothing more than a quick solution — and ultimate deterrence from taking accountability.

But there isn’t any accountability for them to take. They don’t need to take accountability.

A Narcissist Only Looks Out For Themselves

A narcissist is always out for themselves in any situation. They are only out for themselves — that’s an obvious fact, isn’t it? All in the narcissist’s pursuit of self-satisfaction — there is no limit for them.

You can get anything you want in life if you do anything it takes to get it. Even if that’s compromising your family relationships.

The narcissist in my life was focused only on their desires and wants. They did and said anything they could to make a small battle go their way. But that’s how narcissists are, though; they are only looking out for themselves.

Looking out for yourself and your safety is normal; you’re most important in your life. A narcissist will take that to a new level. To a narcissist, we are simply living in their world.

Sometimes, what you may want can hurt other people. The narcissist in my life was basically ruling my family; they needed to have this control.

For my narcissist to ensure that nothing stood in their way, they controlled everything. To keep this control, lies and manipulation are a must.

At the end of the day, a narcissist needs someone who will accept their lies without question. For me? Well, I was never too keen on filling those requests.

Not accepting their lies

Over time, I learned that whatever the narcissist said was a lie. I never knew the narcissist to tell the truth. In fact, I don’t even know what the truth is from them.

Whenever I felt that I could trust them, they always did something to show me that I couldn’t. Quite simply, their truth never stayed the same.

At a point in time, around my teenage years, I was faced with a smear campaign from the narcissist in my life. During this time, the narcissist refused to acknowledge my existence. I mean, literally refuse to admit that I was there.

The narcissist could paint any narrative they wanted; I was powerless against them.

During family events I would be left out of conversation. I was treated a space that filled the spot at the dinner table.

I was watched with caution as if I was a wild animal that is completely unpredictable. All of this came through the lies that the narcissist told about me.

Through this time I learned one thing: the narcissist really hated me.

The narcissist always hated me

They hated me during these times because I wouldn’t believe the lies they were feeding us.

I became isolated from my family, not trusted, and hated — I was only 17 years old. I was just a child, being treated like I had the intentions of a sinister adult. Nothing I could do except live with what was dished out to me.

When you don’t accept the lies from someone that is never wrong, you’re left looking like a negative Nancy.

The narcissist made it known that I was not welcome.

And this is precisely what the narcissist wanted to happen. The lies the narcissist told about me caused other family members to turn against me.

The narcissist being who they are is simply enough of a reason for you to trust them. To doubt a narcissist is to put a bullseye on your back.

All while the narcissist is punishing you, a smear campaign is occurring. A smear campaign was is the way a narcissist will spread lies about you.

It’s like leaving a not so subtle hint at your outlandeous behavior.

Through all of this and stepping back from the interpersonal conflict, I saw the bigger picture. The narcissist wanted to win every battle and keep up their image and false reality.

With each lie, they grew out of control

Lies catch up with you; there’s no other way around it. The narcissist was never truly able to see their own lies. The narcissist’s lies were their truth.

Over the years, I began to speak out against the narcissist. I wanted my family to know that they were up to something.

The narcissist was sneaking around behind the family’s back telling a different story for each person. Being consistently busy with unknown duties and responsibilities left the narcissist unavailable and less present.

Although their time was scared, they still demanded perfection and Order. Every interaction, holiday, or family event had a preterrdmined path for the narcissist.

Their patterns of behavior always included lies. Lies may seem like a quick way for a narcissist to get out of trouble, and while that may be true, the effects are lasting.

How a Narcissist’s Lies Work

The lies transformed into such a mountain of a beast that the narcissist needed to take out the people that we were calling them out. From there, a smear campaign can help to steer others in favor of the narcissist.

Lies snowball — from one situation to the next. A narcissist will say anything they need to say to get out of trouble. There isn’t anything they won’t try to get out of.

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The narcissist had created such a fantasy on top of all their lies. They failed to recognize how their behavior was affecting those around them.

Or maybe, that was the whole point.

A narcissist’s goals are simply to get what they want. That is fine if it means stepping on people they are supposed to care for and love.

You are important to them–but they won’t ever admit that.

Any situation is a chance for the narcissist to push their own agenda.

A narcissist is very sure of themselves and their place in this world. Confidence–whether made up or real sells it.

Their lies paint a bigger picture

The narcissist uses lies to keep the image they want to uphold. Narcissism comes with thinking that you are better than the best; you are the most perfect person.

The number of times that I have had to reevaluate my own memory because I am faced with such determined lies.

They won’t even face the truth about their lies. The narcissist was unable to see an issue with how their lies not adding up.

If you don’t discuss it, then it isn’t real. That was their selfish, unspoken approach to life. This was the frustrating mode the narcissist ran on.

Only accepting their own reality and not acknowledging the truth is an unfortunate way to live.

At the end of the day, a narcissist believes the lies they peddle. Lies are not lies to them; they don’t see anything wrong with telling what they believe.

The Confidence of a Narcissist is Powerful

That’s why passion and conviction can help people believe their lies. Even though their lies are apparent, they don’t see it that way.

Every lie is a reflection of their twisted reality. In a way, it’s alarming to see. How can someone just lie like that?

Does credibility ever cross their mind? Or do they believe they are so powerful that they don’t need to establish a line of credibility?

The lies they tell paint who they believe themselves to be. If they are innocent, then they are most certainly a saint. If you don’t see what the narcissist sees in themself, then you are the problem.

The bigger picture with a narcissist is their ultimate goals or aspirations — by whatever means necessary.

The narcissist will quickly stop you from being who you are, and they can control you.

Once I realized the reality that the narcissist wanted us to see I was shocked. Frankly, their reality was a delusion.

The lies are strung together to support the life they want to attain — whatever that may look like.

Getting a Narcissist’s Way is the Ultimate Goal

At the end of the day, the narcissist wanted their way. They want to be in charge, in control, and in power. A narcissist’s goals are always driven by self-satisfaction.

To be honest, I have given up the battle. Trying go be rational with the narcissist was never going to occur.

They needed to step on the people around them to get a leg up to continue this façade. It always felt like they were playing chess or some game — we weren’t just two people. I was a game piece for them, along with other people.

I can’t be around someone like that.

Through these awful times they put me through, I noticed their behavior patterns quite well. The narcissist is the most predictable person I have ever known in my entire life.

Something would always be on their list; whether it was a monetary gain or adjusting the spotlight, they always had a set pattern of behavior.

It was clear to see what they were doing, I just had to stay away from them.

Every lie they tell is one step closer to getting what they want. What a narcissist wants is not always rooted in material objects. Evading responsibility, questioning, or diverting attention to them are also essential.

Is a Narcissist Only Out for Material Goods?

That doesn’t mean that a narcissist won’t be materialistic. Not every desire that a narcissist has is strictly for material goods. I witnessed a narcissist talk with me about something significant one week; by the next week, they had no idea what I was talking about.

Of course — it always has to be me, doesn’t it?

Lies are a narcissist’s truth — they certainly believe the lies they push, even if they don’t make much sense. But how can that be?

What other way would a narcissist have it? Through all the lies, how can a narcissist get people to believe their lies effortlessly?

Suddenly, it feels like the world has shifted. My family did not trust me anymore. I became a disappointment.

What Makes a Narcissist’s Lies so Powerful?

Their lies are powerful because of the desire, drive, and confidence that every narcissist carries. A narcissist wants to be trusted and liked for many different reasons.

A narcissist’s lies become powerful because they become indestructible. After all, the narcissist discredits the truth from others.

Frankly, a narcissist isn’t afraid to lie or take it far. Narcissists want what they came for — they can’t see beyond themselves.

Although a narcissist’s lies are powerful, it doesn’t mean it is hopeless.

No one is more proud, confident, or arrogant than a narcissist who believes their own lies. A lot of hard work comes with the ultimate goal of always looking like the good guy and the most perfect person.

I have carried the abuse from a narcissist on my back for far too long.

There is time, lies, and dedication to spreading the narcissist’s truth. A person is simply a chess piece to them.

The word narcissist means more than simply describing someone. It’s a culmination of all the pain and suffering this person’s actions have caused you.

Narcissists spend a lot of time crafting their audacious lies to gain what they want. They can work on their reputation so that the people around them are on their side. Narcissists must have the support around them that they need.

A Favorable Perception is What a Narcissist is After

They are nothing without their reputation.

I saw this happen plenty of times with the narcissist in my life. They consistently told me a different lie to the same question. There was no shame to them when telling whatever lie they needed to form to their reality.

The belief that a narcissist holds makes their lies more believable.

The narcissist in my life always lied to me. This sounds like such an overused statement, doesn’t it? But it’s entirely true. Narcissists are stuck within their own world, and the consequences bleed out.

A narcissist’s lies paint the picture of themselves that they want the world to see.

Eventually, the narcissist’s lies will snowball.

At the end of the day, narcissist only has a goal of seeing themselves. They want to have the best life, with the best people, with the best opportunities. But that’s something that we all want.

But how far are we willing to go for it? How much will we lose to achieve the goals we want?

In the end, a narcissist doesn’t see anyone but themselves.

June 24, 2022May 11, 2022 by Jennifer March

How Prevalent is Narcissism?

Understanding how common narcissism truly is.

With narcissists becoming more popular, it’s essential to understand what narcissism is. Narcissism is a set pattern of behavior laced with grandiosity, arrogance, low self-esteem, and an overinflated ego.

Narcissistic personality disorder is the only disorder that can honestly label someone as a narcissist. Otherwise, people can most certainly have narcissistic traits. This is where people can usually get their wires crossed: are they are narcissists, or do they have narcissistic traits.

Everyone has narcissistic traits; it’s not inappropriate to care about yourself. From your looks to your self-esteem, it’s all completely normal. Now narcissism is a long pattern of narcissistic behaviors that impact someone and others around them.

So the issue that it comes down to is: do we look at the rate of people with NPD, or do we look at those with elevated narcissistic traits? For the purpose of this article, we are going to explore the prevalence of narcissistic personality disorder.

Is NPD common?

There are roughly 0.5% of the population in the United States that have a narcissistic personality disorder. But it is important to note that only people clinically diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder are included in this statistic. This is a relatively low number, but there are always conditions behind these statistics that we have to keep in mind.

Not every narcissist out there is clinically diagnosed (and maybe they should be), so that’s a thought to consider when looking at this statistic. Someone can display the symptoms for years, cause havoc — but never be seen or treated.

Not every narcissist wants treatment or even to see a doctor. Even if that narcissist sees a doctor, they may not be diagnosed because they withhold information.

Overall, there are many different reasons why someone wouldn’t want to seek treatment. In the end, a narcissist doesn’t see anything wrong with them or their behavior. Their self-esteem may not be able to handle that kind of blow also.

So know that not every person you meet who is rude or off-putting is a narcissist. A narcissist is someone with a long pattern of behavior that makes them a narcissist.

I have met a few narcissists in my life, but (unfortunately) for me, they were all family members. Other than that, I really haven’t met too many narcissists in the outside world.

I didn’t have enough time to honestly know them — or they simply had narcissistic traits.

What is NPD?

Narcissism can come from childhood abuse and many different factors. Through narcissistic personality disorder, it is essential to understand its root. Why does it happen? Understanding the disorder behind a narcissist can help spread more accurate information about narcissists.

It has been shown that childhood abuse is connected to depression, aggression, anger, hostile behavior, anxiety, and personality disorders in adulthood.

Through abuse, that child develops to survive in their environment. With a combination of genetics, parenting, and overall treatment within their life, the stage can be set for someone to develop a narcissistic personality disorder.

Not every unkind person is a narcissist

Understanding a narcissist is all fine and good. Still, the narcissistic traits are what people are genuinely interested in (they just don’t know it yet).

The human personality can be divided into so many subparts. There are many different facets and aspects to understanding someone’s personality.

I have met some genuinely mean people in my life, outside of my family, but deep down, those people were not narcissists. People under intense stress can act out of character, causing them to look like a narcissist.

So it is essential to know that someone can be selfish, rude, gaslighting, and simply not narcissistic. But they can sure act like a narcissist sometimes! Or so it feels.

Narcissists come in all shapes and sizes and from different walks of life. No two narcissists will act the same. But we still have to be careful when using the term narcissist — it needs to be saved for the people who are genuinely narcissists. If you’d like to read more on my journey with my narcissist, I encourage you to check out my narcissistic abuse story.

Overall, narcissism is not prevalent is terms of size and how many people are diagnosed. But that does not lessen the significant impact that person may have on other people’s lives.

So you may never encounter a true narcissist in your life, but knowing the signs and symptoms can help you stay safe and alert.

As originally posted on Medium

June 20, 2022May 11, 2022 by Jennifer March

My Narcissist Taught Me How to Be a Good Person

It’s simple — I just need to be the opposite of them.

I stand on the other side, still alive through the trying times that my narcissist has put me through. The lies that I had been fed for years were finally coming to an end.

I have faced the most challenging days of my life and held firm throughout the dusty storms through this time. Now, I am left with the constant reminder that I am scarred and haunted by my narcissist.

I think back frequently to the times that my narcissist truly impacted me. How their words made me change who I was because I was afraid. That was the key, though, wasn’t it? To keep me afraid? Being afraid causes me to be more submissive to their lies and deceit.

Through all the manipulation tactics and smear campaigns, I learned to be a good person. I was so horrified at how I was treated that it felt nearly impossible to fully break free from.

I learned what not to be because I needed to be better. I grew to hate the narcissist so much that I despised all they were. I wanted a life that was the opposite of theirs; I needed change.

But from the destruction grew beautiful flowers that I will carry with me forever.

Life lessons

My narcissist would always tell me to “do the right thing” because I dared to resist their demand. Through my defiance, I grew a name for myself as a trouble maker.

I was the evil person in the family, and I didn’t know what to do. I saw the only option was to be a nice, more obedient person. I was a greedy, money-hungry liar who was ruining the family. But I later came to find out that I had been lied to (obviously) — that’s a story for another time, though.

So I set out on a mission at this time to be a better person — through the guidance of my narcissist, of course. I learned to stay quiet, and I learned to observe. I challenged my gut instinct and suppressed the questions that I had.

Through this time, I wanted to show my narcissist more respect. I frequently went out of my way to help the narcissist. After all, I believed this was the way to be a better person: do what the narcissist said.

But my narcissist saw power and control as a way to gain respect. The respect they wanted was done by manipulating and controlling various family members — I wasn’t the only one.

How not to behave

As I process my narcissist’s impact on me, I realize that they have given me the best lesson of all.

I have learned how to be a good person. The narcissist is a shining example of how you should not behave towards family and friends.

I learned to be open, transparent, and clear about my intentions and actions. I wanted to show that I had nothing to hide. Which is entirely true, I don’t. I treat people with kindness, as that is how I want to be treated in return. I do not do good things to brag about them later.

Being open and transparent shows that I have nothing to hide. I have learned through my narcissist that secrets that you keep will always come back to haunt you. You cannot hide what you don’t want others to know.

Whatever you do in the dark comes to light one way or another.

I don’t need to hide the truth because I would never tell a lie to save my own skin or gain money somehow. Hiding the truth because they need to protect their reputation; it’s a vital part of who they are.

I can get through anything

Through the times I have spent enduring the narcissistic abuse, I have learned something valuable through processing all of this.

I have learned that I am a strong individual; I am a good person with good intentions. I want to be happy, and I want to spread love, not fear.

I know that through trying times, I am strong. I am sturdy, and I am capable. At the end of the day, I know that I am loved and cared for — and that I have put love out into the world.

I can rest peacefully knowing I have set out with life to have good intentions.

I now live with a solid moral ethic.

I did not run my life on lies that I created to inflate my ego.

I want to tell the truth, even if it is hard. I cannot keep living a lie to make others happy.

I have learned how to be me.

Through all of the struggles in my life, I am glad that I have been given these valuable lessons. I will never act in the way that the narcissist acted. I sympathize with them, though. They have no idea how much hurt they have caused — and the potential for our relationship to be healthy and like a family.

And I’ve also learned that I don’t need to hold people in fear to be treated with respect. I earn respect through my actions and behavior every single day.
You will see my intentions through my actions — and they are nothing but pure.

As originally posted on Medium and NewsBreak

June 17, 2022May 11, 2022 by Jennifer March

Does a Narcissist Believe Their Own Lies?

Yes, they do — here’s why.

Within the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, grandiosity and an extremely high self-image must be maintained. But how can someone create and keep up with such a facade? Well, it’s simple: they lie.

Lie’s are an easy way to get the instant gratification a narcissist needs to get them through this one moment. Lies are how a narcissist can keep power and control over you; they are the foundation for a narcissist’s world.

How can someone tout themselves as being flawless? How can someone do absolutely no wrong? We are all human, and we have all made mistakes in our life. Someone who tries to hide their flaws is shielding themselves from the truth.

So, when you are faced with a narcissist who is obviously lying to you, just know that they believe their lies (unfortunately).

They need to lie to get their way

It doesn’t matter what lie they are trying to push. The lie they have constructed is meant to satisfy you for the moment — whether the lie includes aggressive tactics or not.

Lies fuel the image that a narcissist is creating. Lies are how a narcissist can manipulate the situation.

I found that my narcissist lied to different people — with a different lie — to say what that person needed to hear. Lies are a way that a narcissist can manipulate you — along with gaslighting and blame.

But how does the narcissist not get caught by people questioning their various lies? Well, if someone says anything confidently, you are inclined to believe that. The narcissist in my life always said everything with such conviction that you had no choice but to believe them.

Of course, when I began to question them, their cockiness would turn to aggression.

A narcissist’s lies are their truth

The lies are anything that the narcissist needs you to believe; lies are the pillars for their life.

We all have expectations in our lives; we want certain things. Sometimes, we aren’t able to get what we want. When a narcissist is faced with this, they will do anything to get what they want.

I can only speak of the narcissist I had in my life, but they were keen on making their life seem luxurious. They made such extravagant purchases and would routinely make a fuss to show us the rich problems they had.

Their truth has to be big, extravagant, and over the top. From fancy campers to luxury cars to consistent home redecoration, it only screamed: look at me and see how amazing and powerful my life is!

But it was all a facade — simply leased items, mountains of debt, or even fraud.

Nothing will stand in their way

The lies are a slight bump for the narcissist to get what they want.

Lies are short and quick — achieving the desired results in the short term. But, in the long run, the lies can snowball into a monstrosity. The number of times that I have caught my narcissist in a lie is too many to count.

A lie is a simple way for them to achieve what they need at the moment — the future isn’t anything they’re concerned with.

If appeasing you, or someone else, will make their problems go away, they will do that. With the persistent need to be the best, a narcissist must fulfill a neverending hunger.

At the end of the day, a narcissist is someone with deep-rooted insecurities, who will do anything to get by in life.

The lies a narcissist tells are meant to free them of any responsibility or blame — and ultimately shift that onto someone else. Or lies can be a way for the narcissist to seem even more powerful.

As originally posted on Medium and NewsBreak

June 14, 2022May 11, 2022 by Jennifer March

Understanding the Disorder Behind a Narcissist

Breaking down narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissists are a topic that has been flooding media for the past few years. There is a lot of misinformation about what a narcissist truly is. To begin, we have to understand narcissistic personality disorder to truly grasp what a narcissist is.

Narcissistic personality disorder is listed in the DSM-5 as a clinical diagnosis. NPD is a real disorder, and narcissists are real, BUT you can’t just call anybody that seems selfish a narcissist.

There must be specific criteria met that far surpasses selfishness or arrogance. Some people can be selfish and/or arrogant and not be a narcissist.

Symptoms of NPD

Narcissism itself is a personality disorder. This person who had NPD is diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional. No article or quiz will tell you if someone is a narcissist (or if you are one yourself!)

Like any other disorder, a narcissistic personality disorder will have a strict set of symptoms that must be met to qualify for the diagnosis. Below is the list of NPD symptoms that a doctor will use to diagnose:

A grandiose sense of self-importance
A preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
A belief that they are special and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people or institutions
A need for excessive admiration
A sense of entitlement
Interpersonally exploitive behavior
A lack of empathy
Envy of others or a belief that others are envious of them
A demonstration of arrogant and haughty behaviors or attitudes

Some of these symptoms can be challenging to see at first — you have to spend time with the narcissist to notice these patterns of behavior. After reviewing the symptoms, we can clearly point to self-satisfaction and superiority. There’s also a lack of empathy, along with overt, negative behaviors.

It’s unfortunate, really, because the narcissist could receive help. But as we all know, treatment doesn’t resolve issues; it’s only a bandaid. You have to work to make the treatment work.

What causes NPD?

Through this entire process, a narcissist may seem content and truly powerful when they may feel empty, worthless, and are battling insecurities on the inside.

A narcissist is insecure and weak — so they need to compensate by being controlling and attention-seeking.

Narcissistic personality disorder can be caused for various reasons. Still, there is typically an environmental, genetic, and neurobiological cause behind the disorder developing. Now, this isn’t too uncommon–other mental health disorders are caused by environmental, genetic, and neurological disorders.

But there are specific adverse life events that someone can experience that would lead them to develop NPD. The Cleveland Clinic has listed a few reasons to why NPD forms:

Childhood trauma (such as physical, sexual, and verbal abuse).
Early relationships with parents, friends, and relatives.
Genetics (family history).
Hypersensitivity to textures, noise, or light in childhood.
Personality and temperament.

Throughout the narcissist’s childhood, they must have faced some damaging abuse or neglect. The narcissist in my life was abused as a child — it was something that had been disclosed to me through other family members.

How to treat NPD?

Someone with NPD will be unwilling and heavily resistant to changing their behavior. Those with narcissistic personality disorder are forever in love with the hyped-up, grandiose image that they paint themselves as.

With any type of mental illness, there will be a treatment option. A combination of various therapies and medication can help mitigate the adverse effects of the disorder.

NPD can first be treated/assessed by seeing a licensed mental health professional. From there, a psychiatrist (or other qualified professional) can recommend treatment options.

Understanding where NPD comes from can help you better understand a narcissist. Understanding narcissism doesn’t excuse the behavior. The effects of a narcissist’s behavior are real and damaging — a diagnosis doesn’t erase that.

As originally posted on Medium and NewsBreak

June 2, 2022May 11, 2022 by Jennifer March

Narcissism and Manipulation: How Does It Work?

Exploring the types of manipulation and why a narcissist may manipulate you.

The word narcissist is almost synonymous with the word ‘manipulation.’ There are many misinterpretations of narcissism, so it’s essential to know the signs of narcissists and their overused tactics.

Manipulation is the way a narcissist can hold power over you. A narcissist will pull many tricks to get what they want from you. There is no situation, big or small, that would stop a narcissist from manipulating you.

Even under the court’s eyes, my narcissist still chose to manipulate and lie to me.

Clearly, manipulation can look different across the board. Let’s start by exploring what the different types of manipulation are.

Types of manipulation

The various types of manipulation are not exclusive to narcissists. Manipulation can be used by anybody — so don’t be too fast to call someone a narcissist because you recognize their behavior in this article.

There are three distinct types of manipulation that someone can use:

Guilt induction

When a narcissist makes you feel guilty, either by playing on your emotions or insecurities, or they play the victim. Essentially, they will act in a way that plays on your heartstrings, causing you to feel guilty. And just like that, you feel guilty!

Ingratiation

This type of manipulation is more hidden. The narcissist will do all they can to get on your good side. They want to show you that they are helpful and kind in order to use that kindness to get something from you. The narcissist in my life did this all the time when they needed something from it; the kindness never lasted.

Deceit

This may be the most well-known type of manipulation. Deceit is flat out lying or hiding the truth from someone. The truth can be hidden from you by withholding information or lying altogether.

Manipulation can look so different that sometimes it can be hard to see. Suppose the manipulation is concealed in helpfulness (that later leads to deceit). In that case, it may be harder to spot without a closer look.

The narcissist in my life always used guilt induction when their back was against the wall. If you confronted them on their behavior, tried to speak up against their actions, I always had the guilt trip laid on me.

Feel bad for me! It’s all your fault I’m in this situation. — It’s essentially what they’re screaming at you.

Signs of manipulation

Are you left feeling drained, run-down, and overall crappy?

Do you feel like your reality is far different from the narcissist’s?

Does it feel like, over time, their true intentions are clearly shining through? But how can manipulation look?

With the three types of manipulation in mind, here is a list of what manipulation can look like:

Gaslighting
Belittling tactics
Passive aggression
Overfriendly and helpful when out of the norm for that person
Blaming you for problems in their life
Lying by omission

The list can go on and on, but the constant theme is to bother you and stress you out, ultimately to get what they need.

Over time I began to feel like I blended in with the furniture every time they were around. Then other times, the narcissist would be overly friendly with their actions — and quickly that would cycle into deceit and anger.

While through these challenging times I learned that my response only mattered when it was what the narcissist was looking for. It’s stressful to be around the narcissist.

Why do they manipulate you?

A narcissist’s actions are all driven by self-satisfaction. A narcissist wants every one of their needs and wants to be met — without consideration of other people. But there is some ulterior motive behind their actions when they manipulate you.

I once had my narcissist (attempt) to manipulate me into removing my name from the title of my car. They spent a few weeks bringing me coffees and being extra interested in what I had to say.

All the friendly behaviors were washed away when their end goal was clear. And when I refused to take my name off that car title, I was met with destruction — I experienced a smear campaign.

I’ve cycled through their game of manipulation, as they are constantly grabbing for something they want.

I’m stuck — left to figure out what they are going after this time.

Manipulation can take on many forms and happen in a variety of settings. So knowing the signs of manipulation and types of manipulation can help you spot it.

A narcissist will stop at no ends with manipulation — but you don’t have to let that affect you. Just know that their manipulation is worthless if it doesn’t bother you.

As originally posted in Medium and NewsBreak

April 3, 2022March 17, 2022 by Jennifer March

Keep Your Distance From a Narcissist to Protect Your Peace

The helpful ways to protect what is more important: your sanity

For my entire life, I have lived on the lies of a narcissist. What I thought was true was false, and the reality I saw was a delusion.

I could never get a single truth to come out of the narcissist. Even the simplest of truth was difficult for the narcissist to share.

I felt scared and completely alone.

I wanted nothing more than to have a peaceful, loving family, but it just wasn’t in the cards for me.

Growing up, I saw how the narcissist challenged others who questioned them. The fights, terror, and anger were a constant sight for me.

I learned the hard way that when you push back against an abusive narcissist, you are left with nothing but destruction — and a little bit of hope.

I fought tirelessly for years to get other family members to see what I saw in the narcissist. The lies and manipulation were almost constant — the signs were evident to me.

As I heard my family defend the narcissist, I began to feel as though I had lost touch with reality.

The truth I was showing to my family was an assault on the character of the narcissist. They were brainwashed, I was brainwashed — but I dared to challenge the narcissist head-on.

I now know what narcissism is and how I can understand the repeated flow of behavior. I learned to detach from the mess the narcissist had created and cared for myself.

Now I am in a better place, but I can see how strong the narcissist’s delusion was when I look back. Many people don’t see the signs of a narcissist, or they don’t even know what a narcissist is.

Please keep in mind that narcissism is a real disorder that affects real people. Not all narcissists are abusive, but some are.

Even if you don’t have a narcissist in your life, you may be in a problematic relationship. No matter who someone is to you, no one is allowed to make you feel inferior.

The guidance I want to share does not need to apply only to an actual narcissist, but it can work for others as well.

You don’t have to be a narcissist to have narcissistic traits — some people can be mean, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.

But always take steps to protect yourself no matter what.

Keep your distance

This is the first thing to do; You cannot get safe until you are away.

Stay away from them as much as you can, separation will help you heal. This can be very difficult for some family dynamics or relationships. If you cannot keep your physical distance, then keep yourself protected.

Disengage, and try to be as disconnected as much as you can from them. I understand that this might seem mean, but remember that your happiness is essential, too.

Establish boundaries around seeing this person, and limit contact to whatever extent you are comfortable with.

Take your power back

Get back at narcissists by taking your power back.

Your power is sacred, as your power is you.

Your power is being able to express who you are without worry of judgment; it’s your overall drive and determination.

Even if the person in your life isn’t a narcissist, this can still work. Do not let someone make you feel as if they are superior to you — no one has the right to make you feel this way.

It doesn’t matter if it is your mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, aunt and uncle, or even a family friend. No one has the right to make you feel less like less of a person.

You are perfectly built, flaws and all; don’t let anyone shame you for your shining light.

Believe your truth over their lies

Your truth is important; that is something always to remember. When a narcissist lies, they are trying to protect themselves. Whatever a narcissist’s reason for lying, maybe it is essential to resist falling into questioning yourself.

Through my own experience with a narcissist, I found myself questioning my motives, actions, and even reality.

If someone in your family upsets you, and it makes you feel sad, angry, embarrassed, or any other unpleasant feeling — it’s valid.

Just because a narcissist doesn’t believe that they hurt your feelings doesn’t magically undo the hurt.

Believe yourself, hold onto your truth, and don’t ever allow anyone to make you question that. You are strong.

Know that this too shall pass

It’s hard to look back and see the faults in your relationships with someone who is narcissistic. And it’s even harder to continue to endure abuse at the hands of a narcissist.

I have dealt with a narcissistic abuser for my entire life. I am finally free of their abuse and manipulation, but I will live with the pain they have caused me for the rest of my life.

The situation you are presently in is not your forever.

One day you won’t wake up with anxiety over what they will do next.

One day you will feel completely free, and the narcissist will be nothing more than a memory.

You are so important; use these tools to help guide you to peace and happiness from a narcissist.

As Originally Posted on Medium and NewsBreak

April 1, 2022March 17, 2022 by Jennifer March

Taking Your Power Back From a Narcissist

The greatest weapon that a narcissist has is power — take that away and they have nothing

I sat across from them at the kitchen table, my foot nervously tapping on the ground. They sat across from me, eyes cast downward and a stern face with a hint of a menacing grin.

In a quick utterance, they said, “There is going to be issues around your car with the family — the fact you have even used it is an issue — so the best option is for you to put the title of your car in my name — and take your name off of the title.”

My cheeks flushed, my stomach dropped into my knees, and I felt as though my heart was going to stop.

“What happens if I don’t?” I managed to squeeze out in between breaths. I needed to be strong.

They glanced up at me for a moment and dropped their eyes, “Well, we don’t know what other family might do if they found out that you have been using your aunt’s car this entire time.”

I became enraged. I never took my aunt’s car — she gave it to me! Ever since I was a child, my aunt told me she would give me her car because she loved me. Why would he think I took it?

“I understand, but I did not take her car; it was a gift from her. She always wanted me to have her car.”

The narcissist repeated, in an eerily calm voice, “Just take your name off the title.”

After a few weeks of doing the same dance, I realized that I was not required to do anything. The ownership is in my name, not theirs! I have control over my own property, and that car is my property.

Who are they to tell me what to do?

I never took my name off that title, and I never, ever will.

Understanding narcissism

From my research, I learned that narcissists believe that they are so powerful that they need others to believe it too.

The narcissist will hold some type of power over you, whether it be money or acceptance — it’s anything that can be used to manipulate you. Not every narcissist will be the same, but it is important to understand that not every narcissist is the same.

By taking that power they have over you, and ignoring their commands or threats will make their power fade.

Narcissists are only as strong as they build themselves up to be.

Ignore The Narcissist

After I realized my own rights, and that my property was my own, I stopped engaging with the narcissist. They tried harder to get my attention, anything at all to get me to crack. The narcissist even went as far as to spreading slander about me to other family members.

I wanted to apologize and not hear about this anymore. I wanted everything to be fine and not painful. I didn’t want anyone in my family to be mad at me. I know I hadn’t done anything, but the narcissist was making it seem like I had.

But I held strong and made sure not to go crawling back.

I began to understand narcissism a little more. I was hopeless and stuck, and I needed a way out of this situation.

When I began ignoring my narcissist, they became meek and quiet and turned it around to portray me as the villain. They know my triggers are my family, and wanting to do anything to help, and they played on that to get a rise out of me.

Disarm them

To disarm a narcissist, it is best to break any ties or connections with them. In some circumstances, like mine, cutting off the narcissist was a challenging task. But once I stopped participating taking their bait or when they are trying to get a rise out of me, I simply ignore it.

The narcissist in my life wasn’t able to take a hint too quickly, so I had to be straightforward with them. I stopped engaging and told them, “Please, leave me alone.”

I’ve found that talking to the narcissist does no good. Of course, do not be rude, but set up clear boundaries. You have every right to control how much communication you have with someone — no matter what.

I was looked down on any time I was in their presence and made to feel like a complete failure. I was so petrified of their wrath and making sure their needs were always met that I was scared of them.

But now, I look them dead in the eye and tell them what needs to be said.

When being direct with a narcissist, it is important to stay polite and respectful. As hard as this was for me, I tried my best to still be courteous to them. Stooping to a narcissist’s level only makes the situation way.

If you have to talk with them, keep it short and simple. Do not try to explain yourself, do not accuse or point fingers back at them. As good as it may feel about telling a narcissist off, it is important to remember that if you already feel unsafe around them, you don’t want to push it.

Narcissists are dependent on others for their self-esteem — without people to control, they are helpless.

Prepare for backlash

Dr. Nancy Lee from Upjourney details what can potentially happen when a narcissist is ignored:

“If you ignore a narcissist and deny them their source, they may become enraged and try even harder for your attention — especially in ways that can be toxic or abusive. Ignoring a narcissist will enrage them because of their fragile egos. They’ll feel humiliated and lash out against you to protect themselves.”
-Dr. Nancy Lee on Upjourney

Upsetting a narcissist can feel like putting a bullseye on your forehead. You will be their focus, and they will get increasingly more bold in order to get a rise out of you.

They will try to hurt you in some way. Narcissists know your triggers and your soft points and will use that for their benefit.

When I faced him, he was furious; they stated some horrible things to me, threatened to call the police, and shunned me from the family.

The silent treatment was terrible. The narcissist would pretend not to notice me and even go as far as to exclude me from talking with the rest of the family.

And for what? I can’t share much else, but I can sum it up fairly well: money.

Money and greed go hand in hand, and my narcissist was a shining example.

But I did not let up. Slowly over time, their image cracked and cracked further.

It seemed that the more people he lost that he could control, the weaker he got.

Dealing with a narcissist is a challenging task that can drain the life right out of you. You never what the narcissist will do next, or what their true motives are.

Next time you face a narcissist — or anyone with a superiority complex, remember that their power is an illusion.

No one can control you but YOU. It is your life to control, no one else can take that from you. Use this to empower yourself to stand in the throws of anything that comes your way.

Please note that narcissism is not a word to be used lightly. Narcissists show a distinct pattern of abuse that is done through fear and manipulation tactics.

As Originally Posted on Medium and NewsBreak