7 Signs a Narcissist Is Entering Their Downfall Phase
Narcissists often appear confident, powerful, and completely in control.
They know how to command a room. They know how to charm. They know how to make you believe they’re always one step ahead.
But here’s what many people don’t realise:
That sense of control isn’t as solid as it looks.
It depends heavily on admiration. On influence. On maintaining a carefully constructed image. And when those sources begin to weaken — when the applause quiets down, when people start seeing behind the mask — something shifts.
The downfall of a narcissist is rarely dramatic or sudden. It’s gradual. Subtle at first. But once you know the signs, it becomes impossible to unsee.
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist
Here are seven signs a narcissist may be entering that phase.
1. The Mask Starts Slipping
At the beginning, they seem magnetic. Charming. Effortlessly confident.
But slowly, inconsistencies appear.
Their stories don’t quite line up. The way they treat different people starts to feel noticeably different. The warmth becomes selective. The kindness becomes strategic.
You may notice flashes of irritation, contempt, or superiority that weren’t there before — or were simply hidden better.
People who once admired them begin to question things.
And once multiple people start comparing notes, the carefully curated image begins to crack.
The mask doesn’t fall off all at once. It slips in moments. But those moments add up.
2. Increased Defensiveness
When admiration fades, sensitivity increases.
Small, harmless feedback now triggers big reactions. A simple question feels like an attack. A boundary feels like betrayal.
Where there was once cool confidence, there’s now visible agitation.
They may interrupt more. Talk over others. Correct minor details obsessively. React disproportionately to perceived criticism.
Why?
Because their sense of superiority feels threatened.
When someone’s identity is built on being “better,” even neutral comments can feel destabilising. So they defend harder. Louder. More urgently.
And the more defensive they become, the more obvious the insecurity underneath becomes.
3. Escalating Blame
When things go wrong, accountability becomes rare.
Instead, blame intensifies.
They point fingers more aggressively. They rewrite events. They accuse others of causing the very problems they created.
It’s not just defensiveness — it’s projection.
If relationships are strained, it’s because others are “jealous” or “ungrateful.” If work dynamics shift, it’s because colleagues are “threatened.” If friendships fade, it’s because people “can’t handle honesty.”
The pattern becomes predictable: nothing is ever their fault.
But as more people step back and refuse to absorb that blame, the tactic loses effectiveness.
And when blame stops working, frustration grows.
4. Losing Key Relationships
One of the clearest signs of a narcissist’s downfall is relational shift.
Long-term friends begin creating distance. Partners stop excusing behaviour. Colleagues set firmer boundaries.
The same behaviours that were once tolerated are no longer overlooked.
At first, they may try to regain control — through charm, guilt, or promises of change. But if those don’t work, the distancing becomes harder to ignore.
They may cycle through new connections quickly, seeking fresh admiration.
But the loss of established relationships hits differently. Those were stable sources of validation. And without them, the cracks widen.
5. Public Image Cracks
Image management becomes urgent.
They may overexplain situations. Overshare on social media. Try to control the narrative more intensely.
You might notice exaggerated positivity. Sudden “success” posts. Dramatic reinventions.
It’s not confidence — it’s damage control.
When someone feels their reputation slipping, they double down on appearances.
But desperation has a different energy than natural confidence.
And people can feel the difference.
6. Emotional Volatility
The calm façade weakens.
Where they once appeared composed, you may now see flashes of anger, bitterness, anxiety, or visible insecurity.
Mood shifts become more noticeable. Reactions become sharper.
This isn’t random. It’s pressure.
When external validation decreases, internal stability becomes harder to maintain. Without constant admiration reinforcing their identity, emotional regulation can suffer.
You may see them spiral over small things. Obsess over perceived slights. React dramatically to minor inconveniences.
The volatility isn’t just emotional — it’s structural. The foundation they relied on is shaking.
7. Desperation for Validation
Perhaps the most telling sign is urgency.
They seek attention more dramatically. New relationships appear quickly. Social media presence intensifies. Achievements become exaggerated.
There may be grand announcements. Sudden lifestyle upgrades. Loud declarations of happiness.
It’s an attempt to refill a shrinking source of admiration.
But the energy feels different now. Less secure. More forced.
When validation becomes desperate rather than natural, people sense it.
And instead of reinforcing their image, it sometimes accelerates the decline.
The Downfall Is Gradual
A narcissist’s downfall is rarely explosive.
It’s not usually a dramatic collapse.
It’s quieter than that.
It’s the slow fading of influence. The gradual loss of credibility. The steady distancing of people who once admired them.
It happens when control weakens. When admiration decreases. When the mask can no longer fully protect a fragile ego.
And here’s something important to remember:
Their downfall isn’t about revenge. It’s about reality.
When manipulation loses power and people begin trusting their own perceptions again, the imbalance shifts.
If you’ve ever watched this process unfold, you know it’s not always satisfying or dramatic.
Sometimes it’s just… clarity.
Clarity that what once felt powerful was actually fragile.
Clarity that confidence built on image alone cannot sustain itself forever.
And clarity that when the mask slips, truth becomes much harder to conceal.
Check these out!
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist
15 Rules To Deal With Narcissistic People.: How To Stay Sane And Break The Chain.
A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.
Boundaries with Narcissists: Safeguarding Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Independence.
Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: A Guided Journal for Recovery and Empowerment: Reclaim Your Identity, Build Self-Esteem, and Embrace a Brighter Future
(Sponsored.). https://betterhelp.com/elizabethshaw
Advertisements
Click on the links below to join Elizabeth Shaw – Life Coach, on social media for more information on Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse.
The online courses are available by Elizabeth Shaw.
For the full course.
For the free course.
Click here to sign up for the free online starter course.
To help with overcoming the trauma bond and anxiety course.
Click here for the online course to help you break the trauma bond, and those anxiety triggers.
All about the narcissist Online course.
Click here to learn more about the narcissist personality disorder.
The narcissists counter-parenting.
Elizabeth Shaw is not a Doctor or a therapist. She is a mother of five, a blogger, a survivor of narcissistic abuse, and a life coach, She always recommends you get the support you feel comfortable and happy with. Finding the right support for you. Elizabeth has partnered with BetterHelp (Sponsored.) where you will be matched with a licensed councillor, who specialises in recovery from this kind of abuse.
