Narcissism & NPD: Signs, Causes, and Recovery Guide
Narcissism & NPD: Signs, Causes, and Recovery Guide
Ever wonder about the phrases that narcissistic folks, sociopaths, and psychopaths use? How do you handle them?
Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where someone’s reality is twisted so much that it creates major confusion. It often happens in abusive relationships. When a narcissist puts you on blast, they tend to start wild arguments that question your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. This gaslighting tactic wears you down to the point where you struggle to defend yourself. Instead of finding a healthy way to distance yourself from these toxic individuals, your attempts to feel validated and sure about what you went through get derailed.
Gaslighting can show up in different ways, like making you doubt your own mental health or questioning your life experiences. The worst offenders are those narcissistic types who use this tactic to mess with how you see things and dodge any responsibility for their behavior. These abusers can be really cruel and sadistic with what they do, showing little to no empathy or guilt as they secretly torment or provoke you.
Gaslighting by Tribe and Narcissism
People who gaslight others may have what’s called narcissistic personality disorder.
Those with narcissistic personality disorder think they’re super important and usually don’t care about others unless it serves their own needs. They lack empathy and just don’t get how another person is feeling or what they’re going through.
A person with narcissistic personality disorder might:
- Have an inflated sense of their own significance
- Blow their achievements out of proportion
- React with anger when criticized
- Use others to get what they want
- Expect special treatment
- Be overly critical of others
- Get jealous or envious pretty easily
How to Deal with Gaslighting
If you want to fight back against gaslighting, it’s crucial to stay in touch with your own reality and avoid getting stuck in a cycle of doubt. You should be able to spot the red flags of manipulative narcissists so you can exit tricky convos before they turn into accusations, blame, or just plain yelling, which will only leave you feeling more confused about yourself.
Building your self-worth and confidence can help you stay grounded in what you really feel about how someone treats you, rather than getting caught up in trying to explain yourself to a manipulative person with their own agenda.
Taking space from your abuser is super important. Make sure you keep track of what happens as it truly occurs instead of how your abuser says it went down. Save texts, voicemails, emails, and any recordings that can help you remember the truth if you ever feel foggy, rather than getting swept up in the lies from the person hurting you.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for outside help, like a trauma therapist, to talk through the abuse you’ve experienced. Smart narcissists might try to change your reality, but you don’t have to let them. Document everything.
If you’re looking for support beyond physical fitness, learn how to find a qualified therapist who can assist you with mental health and emotional well-being.
