Unmasking the Covert Narcissist: Signs to Watch Out For.
In a world where not everyone has good intentions, it’s crucial to be able to identify individuals who pretend to be nice on the outside but hide their true selves on the inside. Covert narcissists, in particular, excel at this facade. So, what are the red flags that someone may be concealing their true intentions?
- Passive-Aggressive Behaviors.
A covert narcissist often resorts to silent treatments, sulking when things don’t go their way, leveraging your emotions against you, shaming, blaming, and guilt-tripping you to break your boundaries. They have a knack for making you feel responsible for the hurt they inflict, even though they were the ones who caused it.
- Humble Bragging
Covert narcissists have mastered the art of humble bragging. They downplay their achievements, hoping you’ll raise them up, but it’s all a ploy to shine the spotlight on themselves. They constantly compete with you – no matter what you’ve endured or accomplished, they claim to have experienced worse or achieved more. And they never miss a chance to steer conversations towards themselves.
- They Cut You Off
While covert narcissists may initially come across as genuine, polite, and kind, they suddenly disappear from your life without warning. They only stick around as long as they’re benefiting from your presence. Their actions reveal their lack of genuine intentions, behaving differently at home compared to how they present themselves to the public.
- They Don’t Listen to You
Though they may act concerned and caring, covert narcissists only listen to conversations they find interesting or can use against you later. They show false concern and turn the discussion back to themselves. Any empathy displayed is fleeting and ultimately insincere.
- They Play the Victim
Covert narcissists excel at extracting sympathy, using their cognitive empathy to manipulate your emotions and inflict emotional abuse. They guilt-trip you, shed fake tears, exaggerate their emotions, create chaos and drama, and then seamlessly portray themselves as the victim. They refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoings or take responsibility and are quick to label you as oversensitive.
- They Only Give to Take
Narcissistic individuals are self-entitled hypocrites who expect to receive without giving much in return. While they may appear helpful, kind, and generous, their sole motivation is what they stand to gain from others. They rarely act out of genuine goodwill.
- They Talk Badly of Others
To bolster their own self-esteem, narcissists tend to bring others down. They gossip, criticise, and manipulate situations to ruin other people’s reputations. They go to great lengths to ensure others feel obligated to do them favours, and any rejection is quickly met with slander.
It’s important to observe patterns of behaviour when dealing with individuals. Remember that it’s not our responsibility to change others, but rather to focus on ourselves and our own well-being. Cutting out toxic people, despite feeling compassionate, is sometimes necessary. By disengaging from their manipulative tactics, we can gain clarity, rid ourselves of negativity, and begin reclaiming our happiness.
While narcissists refuse to take responsibility for their actions, we can take responsibility for ourselves and our choices. Distance yourself from those who try to make you feel accountable for their wrongdoings.
7 Behaviours Of A Covert Vulnerable Narcissist. (Understanding Narcissism.)
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