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5 Signs You’ve Experienced Narcissistic Abuse

Jennifer McDougall
Wellspring Publication
4 min readMay 28, 2022

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

It can take a long time to recognize that you are the victim of psychological manipulation. However, if you have been repeatedly subjected to any of the following types of behaviors, you may well be in the presence of a narcissist.

Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional abuse that can take many forms. It’s characterized by a person who has a high need to control others, lacks empathy, and may be envious of others.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a complex mental health condition that typically involves a grandiose or inflated sense of self and an extreme need for admiration and attention, among other symptoms.

People with NPD or narcissistic tendencies sometimes show a pattern of manipulative, controlling behavior that involves both verbal abuse and emotional manipulation.

Common types of narcissistic manipulation include:

  • Triangulation. Someone employing this strategy will attempt to draw a third party into your disagreement, usually to bolster their viewpoint or stance.
    Deception. Someone attempting to gaslight you tries to make you doubt your viewpoint and reality, frequently by distorting facts or asserting that events you recall did not occur.
    Hoovering. This approach includes attempting to reconnect with you or luring you back into a toxic or violent relationship.
    Treatment in complete silence. When someone purposefully ignores you to dominate you or make you feel alone, this conduct becomes manipulative.
    Catastrophizing. When parents utilize narcissistic manipulation, they may lay all of the blame on one child they designate as a scapegoat.
    Aggression that is passive. Covert narcissistic manipulation can be indicated by indirect blame-shifting, sabotage, and sarcasm.

The phrase “narcissistic victim syndrome” refers to the distinctive and frequently severe consequences of narcissistic manipulation. While this is not a recognized mental health disease, many experts agree that narcissistic abuse can have substantial and long-term implications for mental health.

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Wellspring Publication
Wellspring Publication

Published in Wellspring Publication

Wellspring is a collection of wellness ideas that practices and share tips for embracing wellness in the challenges that come with life.

Jennifer McDougall
Jennifer McDougall

Written by Jennifer McDougall

Host of Life Refined 🎙️ Personal Growth | Self-Improvement | Wellness ✨ Inspiring you to heal, evolve, and step into your most radiant life. 💫

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