The Narcissist's TACTICS

Here’s a detailed description of 11 manipulative techniques commonly used by narcissists to control or influence others. Understanding these tactics can help you recognize and protect yourself from them:

1. Gaslighting
Description: A tactic aimed at making the victim doubt their perceptions, memories, or sanity. Narcissists may deny facts, distort events, or insist that certain things never happened.
Example: "You’re imagining things again. That’s not what I said, and you know it."
2. Love-Bombing
Description: Overwhelming someone with excessive affection, flattery, or attention to gain their trust and devotion. Once the victim is hooked, the behavior often shifts to neglect or abuse.
Example: Showering someone with gifts and attention in the early stages of a relationship to create dependency.
3. Triangulation
Description: Involving a third party (a friend, family member, or colleague) to create rivalry, jealousy, or insecurity in the victim. This shifts the focus and creates dependency on the narcissist for reassurance.
Example: "Even they think you’re overreacting. Maybe you should listen to them."
4. Projection
Description: Accusing others of the very faults or behaviors the narcissist is guilty of. It’s a way to deflect blame and avoid accountability.
Example: A narcissist who is unfaithful may accuse their partner of cheating.
5. Silent Treatment
Description: Ignoring or refusing to communicate with someone as a form of punishment or control. It leaves the victim feeling anxious and desperate for reconciliation.
Example: Completely ignoring messages or conversations without explanation after a disagreement.
6. Flying Monkeys
Description: Using third parties (friends, family, or colleagues) to carry out the narcissist’s agenda, often to discredit or pressure the victim.
Example: Convincing mutual friends to guilt-trip you into apologizing for something you didn’t do.
7. Blame-Shifting
Description: Redirecting fault to the victim for the narcissist’s mistakes, bad behavior, or failures.
Example: "I wouldn’t have yelled if you hadn’t provoked me."
8. Devaluation
Description: Gradually undermining the victim’s confidence and self-worth through criticism, belittling, or dismissive behavior, often following a phase of idealization.
Example: "You’re so sensitive. No wonder no one else wants to be around you."
9. Hoovering
Description: Attempts to draw someone back into a toxic relationship after they’ve tried to leave, using guilt, charm, or promises of change.
Example: "I’ve realized I can’t live without you. I’ll do better this time, I promise."
10. Playing the Victim
Description: Exaggerating or fabricating their own hardships to elicit sympathy and manipulate others into feeling guilty or responsible for their well-being.
Example: "After everything I’ve been through, you’re going to treat me like this?"
11. Control Through Fear
Description: Using intimidation, threats, or unpredictable behavior to keep the victim in a state of anxiety and compliance.
Example: "If you leave, you’ll regret it. No one else will put up with you."
How to Protect Yourself:

Recognize the tactics and understand they are manipulations.
Set firm boundaries and stick to them.
Seek support from trusted friends, therapists, or support groups.
Minimize contact or, if possible, go no-contact to break free from the cycle.
Understanding these techniques empowers you to stay one step ahead of manipulative behavior.

Link to: "Narcissistic Mother's Manipulative Techniques" :    • Narcissistic Mothers - Manipulative Tactics  

Link to "How Narcissistic Mothers destroy Family" -    • How Narcissistic Mothers Destroy Family