The Narcissist’s Games When They Lose Control:
Narcissists, known for their grandiose sense of self-importance and lack of empathy, are masters at manipulating and controlling others. However, when faced with situations where their control is at risk, narcissists resort to a range of games and tactics to maintain their power and superiority. These games reveal the darker side of narcissism, where they exhibit behaviours that are cunning, manipulative, and destructive. This article will delve into the narcissist’s games when they lose control, shedding light on the tactics they employ to regain dominance.
One of the most common games narcissists play when they feel their control slipping away is the smear campaign. They will go to great lengths to tarnish the reputation and credibility of their perceived threat, spreading false rumours and lies. By discrediting others, they aim to protect their inflated self-image and persuade others to align with their perspective. This game is often accompanied by provoking jealousy, where narcissists flaunt their perceived successes and achievements to trigger feelings of inadequacy and envy in others. By doing so, they secure a sense of superiority and maintain control over their targets.
When confronted with their own wrongdoing or failures, narcissists may resort to playing the victim. They distort the truth and manipulate situations to shift blame onto others, portraying themselves as innocent victims of circumstances. This game aims to elicit sympathy and support from others while manipulating their perspectives in the narcissist’s favour. Through their victim mentality, they seek to regain control by redirecting attention away from their actions and onto others.
In some instances, when the narcissist’s control is threatened, they may resort to more aggressive tactics such as threats and intimidation. They use fear as a means to maintain control over their targets, exerting dominance through manipulation and coercion. This game not only instils fear but also reinforces their sense of power and superiority. By intimidating others, narcissists ensure obedience and compliance, thus safeguarding their control.
Emotional blackmail, guilt, and obligation are also potent tools in the narcissist’s game when they lose control. They exploit others’ vulnerabilities and emotional attachments to manipulate them into conforming to their desires and demands. They may emphasise the personal sacrifices they have made or highlight past favours to create a sense of indebtedness. Through emotional manipulation, narcissists regain control by making their targets feel guilty or obligated to comply with their wishes.
Shifting the blame is another common tactic employed by narcissists when they feel their control slipping away. They deflect responsibility onto others, often their targets, by distorting facts and creating alternative narratives. By doing so, they divert attention away from their own shortcomings and maintain an illusion of faultlessness. This game serves to protect their fragile self-esteem and preserve their inflated self-image.
Devaluation and discard is a strategy used when narcissists perceive that their control is no longer possible or that others have seen through their manipulations. They abruptly devalue and discard their targets, often with cruelty and indifference. This game not only regains their sense of superiority but also maintains their power by cutting off any potential threats to their control.
Another game narcissists play when they sense their control slipping is scapegoating and isolating others. They project their own faults, insecurities, and discomforts onto their targets, blaming them for any negative outcomes. By isolating their targets and turning others against them, narcissists effectively undermine their credibility and maintain control over the narrative.
When all else fails, narcissists may fall silent. This game involves withdrawing from interaction and communication, leaving others bewildered and uncertain. By withholding attention and emotional validation, narcissists exert control by playing on their targets’ insecurities and fostering a sense of dependency on their approval.
Finally, when faced with losing control, narcissists may resort to hoovering, a tactic aimed at re-establishing their dominance. They lure their targets back into their web through charm, affection, and false promises. By exploiting vulnerability and emotional attachment, narcissists regain control over those they had previously lost.
In conclusion, when narcissists lose control, they engage in a variety of games and tactics to regain their dominance and superiority. These tactics range from smear campaigns and provoking jealousy to playing the victim, threatening and intimidating, emotional blackmail and guilt, shifting the blame, devaluation and discard, scapegoating and isolating, falling silent, and hoovering. Through these games, narcissists solidify their control by manipulating and exploiting others, showcasing the darker side of their personality.
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