Empath & Narcissistic Abuse Recovery (2 in 1): Covert Narcissism Manipulation + Dark Psychology, Toxic/ Codependent Mother, Father (Parents) & Intimate Relationships Protection

By Spiritual Awakening Academy

Introducing The Narcissist Narcissism Playbook And How You Can Recover From Their Abuse Prevent Future Toxicity + The Empath Blueprint- How To Recover From Emotional Abuse Thrive As A HSP In The Modern World

Thankfully only 1-6% are estimated to have Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dogo Capital Ltd
• Release date: Jun 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781801344777

Book preview

Contents

Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

Dynamics in relationships

Co-parenting with a Narcissist

Why me?

Recognize the trauma

Narcissistic men vs women

Recovery

Phases of Trauma and the unique recovery process from Narcissistic abuse

Treatment

Preparing for New Relationships

EMPATH

Here are few helpful hints when dealing with a narcissist:

Are you unsure if you're in a relationship with a narcissist? Here are few tips that could be useful. If your partner demonstrates all of these characteristics, they might be a narcissist.

Being an Empath: How it benefits or hinders your life

What You Can Do To Rebuild Yourself

FINAL THOUGHTS

Contents

Meditation script for Mental Lucidity

Meditation script for Anxiety

Meditation script for Self-Love

Meditation script for You are more than enough

Meditation script for Gratitude

Meditation script for Success

Meditation script for bedtime

Meditation script for Breathing

Meditation script for Spiritual enhancement

Meditation script for Pain relief.

Meditation Script for coping with Loss

Meditation script to revitalize (Energy)

Meditation Script for Finding Your True Self

Meditation Script for Rejection or Failure

Meditation Script for Positivity

Meditation Script for Self-Esteem

Meditation Script for reducing Self-Harming behavior

Meditation Script for Self-Esteem

Meditation Script for Body Relaxation and Sleep

Foreword

Table of Contents

~ Chapter One ~

Who I am.

~ Chapter two ~

Execrable Eternity Evaded

~ Chapter three ~

Eavesdropping

~ Chapter four ~

Lady in Red

~ Chapter five ~

Metaphors, Magic and Mess

~ Chapter six ~

Blinding Attraction

~ Chapter seven ~

Primal Permissions

~ Chapter eight ~

Foreboding Instincts

~ Chapter nine ~

A Narrow Escape

~ Chapter ten ~

Puppy Breath

~ Chapter eleven ~

Arti-smoke

~ Chapter twelve ~

Fair Friends

Meditations

Conclusion – You are now FREE.

‘’SOCIETY HAS A TENDENCY TO BE JEALOUS OF PEOPLE WHO ONLY THINK OF THEMSELVES’’

FREUD’

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on making the decision to reclaim your life! The steps in this book will assist you in recovering from a toxic relationship and reclaim the happy life you deserve. You are entitled to happiness in your life. You are entitled to be treated with dignity. You are deserving of a truly loving and healthy relationship. Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of providing you with that. Your partner or mother or father or sister or brother or friend may have had a difficult life, leaving them with scars he has yet to overcome. That is a tragedy, but you should not be made to suffer as a result of the trauma they experienced at the hands of others. You have the right to a happy life, one filled with self-respect, self-love, and healthy relationships with others. You can't help others heal when they don’t want to, but you can help yourself heal. You've already taken the necessary steps. Don't give up now that you're on your way to recovery. Continue to engage in the healthy activities described in this book. Your life is out there waiting for you, and you deserve to live it to the fullest. Never accept anything less. You are a survivor, not a victim, and as such, you are capable of achieving any objective you set for yourself. You are capable of having it all, and you deserve it. I have faith in you. You are a phoenix rising from the ashes of a living hell, and you will shine brighter than the sun!

CHAPTER 1

So, what is narcissism?

Narcissism got its name from the Greek mythological character Narcissus who, despite being admired by many, was notorious for ignoring other people and looking only to please himself. And while Narcissus himself might have been a fictional character, the personality he displayed is quite common in the real world, and the way narcissists interact with the rest of the world is just as real. The threat of this type of personality going unchecked has become even more concrete now that globalization has given rise to social media, which in turn has greatly contributed to the me generation.

‘’Among other things, Narcissism can be looked at as a disorder or an adaptation.’’

Reflecting on the above quote, the reason I believe narcissism can be looked at as an adaptation is because a narcissist that is created goes through intense trauma as a child and adapts in order to survive making them a victim themselves, they are usually the offspring of parents who either taught them that they had to be the best at everything they do or that they are more entitled than anyone however they can also be the offspring of parents who neglected them and put them down intensely and continuously while they the parents were too focused on their own needs to an extent that they were unable to attend to or meet the child's emotional and psychological needs, they had no real interest in the children except during times the children could be used to meet certain personal needs and wants of the parent, leaving the child feeling unloved and uncared for, furthermore a child who benefits from excessive indulgence and love can also become a narcissist as this enables them to mature into adults with the perception of a child, they still think of themselves as the centre of the universe, this in no way does this make it OK for someone to abuse or mistreat you, they are known to be self-centred, arrogant, have no or low empathy or consideration for other people and an excessive need for admiration. They are often characterized as arrogant, manipulative, self-centered, patronizing, and demanding. Narcissism may be considered a disease because their brains do not behave in the same way as a typical empathic person's and are extremely unstable. Owing to an adult's conviction that only their needs matter, that there is nothing wrong with them or the behaviors they exhibit, they punish, harm, or kill someone they are envious of, struggle to control their self-esteem, and have a shaky sense of self. The narcissist, or one with traits of narcissism, has an overestimated sense of self-importance, an exploitative mentality, as well as a strong desire for publicity. The narcissist believes he or she is smarter than anyone else and almost never admits to making a mistake. In fact, some narcissists aren't all about looks, wealth, or even fame. Some of them are narcissistic in a subtly narcissistic way. They don't show any of the tell-tale signs. As a result, if we aren't careful, we can easily become entangled, exploited, or, in the worst-case scenario, trapped by them. He also said that all narcissists have this all-consuming need to feel unique in comparison to anyone else. They approach in different ways. The history of narcissism is fascinating. According to myths, or should we say history, Narcissus, the historical father of narcissists, fell in love with his own reflection in a mirror. Today's culture is increasingly becoming more narcissistic. The fact has been developed by numerous studies backed up by statistics and scientific evidence. Users' minds are being etched with the relentless crave-for-attention mentality that is frequently encouraged by social media and reality TV, making them hyper-aware of the picture they portray to the world and the internet.

As a result, it's critical to comprehend the various forms of narcissists and how the rise of narcissistic characteristics impacts friendships and relationships. At the very least, it's a fair assumption that as people's narcissistic tendencies rise, so does the number of current narcissistic relationships. When coping with a narcissist, an inflated sense of self-importance is a common symptom. However, there are many more narcissistic symptoms that aren't as apparent as the ones listed above.

Other evident and noticeable characteristics that a narcissistic person is likely to display include: #1: Lack of or no empathy #2: Constant crave for recognition, which he or she will get at any expense 3# Excessively controlling or deceptive behavior #4: Constant focus on personal needs most or all of the time #5: Constant crave for praises and appreciation #6: Exaggerated sense of superiority and entitlement #7: Belief in one's own peculiar and unique nature #8: Belief that he or she can only be understood by a small group of people. #9: Other people's envy or a sense that others are envious of him or her #10: Belief that they have high status and can only interact with elite people or organizations. It's important to remember that each person will display these characteristics in different intensity and frequency and no narcissist is the same.

Individual characteristics

Other than physical variations that can occur in different ways and sections of the body, psychologists have concluded that no two individuals are the same, except the most identical twins, after years of study. Other differences, such as psychological and emotional differences, have been found. Many people have narcissistic characteristics but are not narcissists or personality disorder carriers. Based on extensive analysis, it has been determined that about 1% of the world suffers of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). However, since a greater number of people with the condition do not seek medical or psychological treatment, they are unable to be diagnosed or treated. Men, seem to make up a greater proportion of those diagnosed, accounting for about 75% of all cases.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder in which a person is in their self-obsessed world. The term narcissism is often used to describe someone who seems to be excessively narcissistic or full of themselves. However, in Psychology, narcissism is not just that. It's more correct to say that people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are enamored with a gilded, gaudy image of themselves. Furthermore, they are enamored of this enhanced mental self-view purely because it allows them to avoid deep feelings of frailty. In any case, it takes a lot of effort to keep their daydreams of grandeur alive. A narcissistic character flaw is the display of vain, pompous logic and behavior, lack of compassion and consideration towards others, and an excessive demand for erroneous respect. History also portrays people with NPD as arrogant, manipulative, narrow-minded, dismissive, and demanding.

Individuals with a narcissistic personality disorder are notoriously resistant to modifying their behavior, even though it is causing them problems. They have a tendency to blame others for their mistakes. They are often extremely sensitive and react violently to even the tiniest responses, discrepancies, or insults, which they perceive as near to home assaults. It's also easier for those in the narcissist's life to simply comply with their demands in order to avoid their fury. In either case, through learning more about the narcissistic personality disorder, you would be able to recognise narcissists throughout your life, protect yourself from their strategic maneuverings, and develop more beneficial boundaries.

It's a commendable desire to be admired. It usually makes us feel fantastic and significant. A swollen sense of vainglory, a lack of consideration for others, and an excessive need for adoration are all signs of a narcissistic personality disorder. Gaudiness, the misrepresented feeling of vainglory, is the hallmark sense of the narcissistic character. Narcissists dealing with this issue, might be preoccupied with dominance, distinction, and vanity, and believe they deserve special treatment. The narcissistic personality trait should not be confused with great bravery and confidence. Many that have a high sense of morale are also humble. Having a narcissistic personality disorder, is likely to make that person to be also narrow-minded, proud, and unconcerned about the feelings and needs of others. When these people are provoked, they adopt a cautious demeanor.

Narcissistic personality disorder, affects a person’s day-to-day life in a negative way. In general, they are dissatisfied with life and disillusioned when others do not appreciate them or treat them differently. Narcissists’ jobs, personal, and social relationships are probably causing them pain. People with a narcissistic personality disorder are oblivious to the negative consequences of their behavior, both to themselves and to others. Individuals are more likely to avoid being around them and they will most probably feel unfulfilled at work, at home and in society.

Signs and Consequences of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Do they consume debates? Are they worry only about their own feelings? Are they making fun of others? That are the most important signs of a narcissistic personality disorder. Do you know someone who knows the right way and that any other way isn't correct? Is it correct to claim they are arrogant, in need of sympathy, and believe they are, to a large degree, significant?

Then it's possible they're suffering from this disorder. The brash sense of gaudiness is a defining characteristic of narcissism. Pretentiousness is an irrational sense of superiority that goes beyond ego or pride. Narcissists believe they are unique or exceptional and must be understood as such. Furthermore, they are overly effective for something routine or traditional. They just need to contribute to and be compared to other high-status people, places, and stuff. Narcissists believe they are superior to anyone else and want to be recognized in any case, even though they are not.

They will also distort or outright lie about their achievements and skills. Furthermore, as they discuss jobs or relationships, what you'll learn is how much they give, how extraordinary they are, and how lucky the people in their life are to have them. They are the undisputed star, and everybody else is, at best, a supporting background actor. Lives in a dreamland where their hallucinations of glory are reinforced. Since reality does not support their distorted view of themselves, narcissists exist in a dreamland supported by contortion, self-deception, and abstract thinking. They transform self-congratulatory fantasies of great accomplishment, strength, splendor, and allure into reality.

These fantasies protect them from feelings of internal vacancy and disgrace, so certainties and assessments that contradict them are ignored or defended down. Everything that threatens the fantasy bubble is greeted with extreme caution and even anger, because those surrounding the narcissist learn to tread carefully around their refusal of the natural world. Needs consistent adulation and deep appreciation. Furthermore, a narcissist's sense of superiority is analogous to an inflatable balloon that gradually loses air without a continuous supply of adoration and recognition to hold it extended.

The incidental compliment is insufficient. Narcissists want constant nourishment for their self-image, so they surround themselves with others who are willing to satisfy their over-the-top need for the claim. These factors are highly erratic. It's always about what the fan will do for the narcissist in a different way. Furthermore, any intrusion or diminution of the admirer's consideration and acclaim is seen as selling out by the narcissist.

‘’ a sense of privilege ‘’

Narcissists demand perfect treatment because they believe they are exceptional. They really believe that they should be able to get whatever they want. They still want the people around them to instinctively give in to their every urge and instinct. That is what they are worth. If you don't imagine and solve any of their questions, you're wasting your time. Furthermore, whether you have the audacity to defy their will or childishly suggest something as a result, you are setting yourself up for aggression or shock.

Attempts to help people without blaming or embarrassment: Narcissists never develop the ability to appeal to the feelings of others in order to see themselves in the eyes of others. They need sympathy at the end of the day. They see the people in their life as articles that represent their interests in different ways. As a result, they are manipulating others to achieve their own agenda. This emotional abuse can be malignant at times, but most of the time it is just careless.

Narcissists are unable to understand how their actions affect people. Their primary understanding is about their own interests. They frequently disparage, attack, menace, or denigrate people.

Narcissists are weakened if they encounter someone who appears to have something they want, especially those who are certain and well-known.

They are often jeopardized by those who do not kowtow to them or who threaten them in any way. Their defense mechanism is hate. Putting certain people down is the only way to eliminate the danger and boost their own self-esteem. They can do so in a way, as if to demonstrate how little the other person means to them. In the other side, they will go on the offense with insults, ridicule, harassment, and threats in order to coerce the other person into submission.

Narcissists:

✓ are preoccupied by fantasies of limitless success

✓ believe in exceptional grandiosity; simply comprehended and can only be associated with people with high status

✓ expect to be seen as superior

✓ need and demand consistent respect

✓ exaggerate their abilities and talents

✓ have a sense of injustice

✓ have an overly strong belief that others are jealous of them

✓ think about oneself most of the time and mention oneself a lot; self-promotion

✓ set unrealistic goals

✓ want people do unusual favors for them

✓ assume that no one should question their motives

✓ take advantage of others to get ahead in life and just to get what they desire, with no remorse about others

✓ are emotionless

What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder and How Can It Be Spotted?

There is no one cause for narcissistic personality disorder. In either case, experts agree that both genetic and natural forces are at work. People with narcissistic personality disorder have less amount of the grey matter in the left anterior insula, the part of the brain associated with sympathy, enthusiastic guidance, empathy, and intelligent working. Many of the characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder occur during normal stages of development. Researchers acknowledge the full start is when relational advancement at these stages clashes, a narcissistic character problem can arise. Examples of types of contradictory or risky relationship scenarios associated with formative phases include: Being born with an overly emotional personality; being overly praised for good practices and overly condemned for bad practices; suffering from extreme adolescent misbehavior; parental care is inconsistent; giving temperamental or out-of-the-ordinary attention; being overappreciated with little sensory feedback to compensate for; receiving excessive praise from guardians or others for your appearance or abilities;

How does a narcissist see himself?

It has also been known that narcissists enjoy projecting themselves as dominant and authoritative, but this does not represent their true feelings. In a nutshell, narcissists are the sort of people who want to be respected as well as liked. This is why they are obsessed with perfection (whether or not they really do excel at something). They find opportunities to demonstrate that they are smarter, more talented, and more noble than anyone. It makes no difference to narcissists whether anyone loves them or not; what matters is that people see them as superior - something to respect. They do this with the assistance of those around them. These individuals, who are often ignorant of their position, are regarded as supply sources by the narcissist. The narcissist sees them as the center of their pride, and seeks validation from them in a variety of ways (i.e. respect, admiration, fear). Perhaps the most relatable flaw in narcissists is their perception of oneself. Narcissists have a tendency to overestimate their own skills. They believe they are better than they are, and they believe they are more impressive than most believe they are. How do others interpret a narcissist? The positive news is that narcissists appear to exhibit telltale symptoms at the start of a relationship. In one study, people who were asked to browse at the Facebook accounts of various subjects were able to recognize those who exhibited narcissistic characteristics. This means that it's relatively simple to determine whether or not a new acquaintance is a narcissist. Depending on who is listening, this may be a positive or a bad thing. However, if you want to cure narcissists, this would encourage you to provide an atmosphere (i.e. home, workplace) that is free of potential victims or supply sources of a person's narcissism. At the very least, this can prevent narcissistic aggression.

Narcissistic Abuse - Narcissists and sociopaths

They use words explicitly, in the expectation of capturing another person's thoughts and keeping them hostage. To keep a strategic distance from the risks of falling victim to a narcissist's ploys to shroud themselves, fault pass, and mislabel those they mislead as narcissists, the phrase enthusiastic power should be reserved for narcissistic maltreatment. NPDs and PDs are masters in disguise, and narcissistic abuse is a form of mind domination, a specific use of words, designed to genuinely control somebody else into handing up their brain and desires, and therefore their considerations, needs, and an become objects for the narcissist's collection.

Narcissists and sociopaths play mind games with others to:

✓ Create mistrust from those who help them, such as relatives and partners.

✓ Feel worthless.

✓ Discredit them for their jobs.

✓ Doubt their ability to reason or make decisions.

✓ Disconnect them from their interests.

✓ Make them accept whatever the narcissist needs.

✓ Reduce the worth of their obligations

✓ Focus on their flaws or blunders.

✓ Ignore or rationalize the narcissist's actions.

✓ To gain their worship and love.

✓ The narcissist should be idealized.

In the present day, these perplexed characters have propelled their strategies with logical investigations into the most proficient method to sincerely and intellectually annihilate someone else, all the more often a partner in a couple relationship, to exist in altered personality and body conditions of frailty and defenselessness in any case, before they wake up and leave.

The Different Types of Narcissism

Since narcissism is a personality disorder, there isn't much that can be done to cure it. You either have it or you don't, with the exception of acquired situational narcissism, which will be addressed in a later time. Narcissism, on the other hand, may be detected and handled. And, as previously said, not all forms of narcissism are harmful.

This disorder manifests itself in a variety of degrees and shapes. There are three types of narcissism: stable, narcissistic personality disorder, and malignant narcissism. The final form is the most disruptive, requiring no clinical diagnosis to detect. This is the kind that has a huge impact on those around the narcissist, causing both short and long-term damage. The first two, stable narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder, are almost identical, with the second becoming pathological.

That is, regardless of how he or she is wired, a person cannot suppress his or her narcissism. This guide will primarily address this form of narcissism. The first form, on the other hand, is more situational. Often people feel compelled to prioritize themselves, whether for good cause, in jest, or otherwise. People in these situations are mindful that they will seem arrogant to some, but they will still allow it for a reason. It is also seen as an adaptive tool to help people deal with difficult circumstances, which is often important.

That is a positive form of narcissism. After all, self-love is essential and necessary for personal growth. Healthy narcissism is a mature form of self-love that is balanced with the needs of others, enabling the person to fairly fulfil both his or her own and the needs of others. These are generally referred to as self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-care.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a dysfunction of self-love treated immaturely.

NPD consists of two components: the person's true self and the compensatory false self. The dysfunctional and immature self is the real self. Since the narcissist has no personal basis of ego or self-esteem, it is the narcissist's world that serves as a source of self-esteem for the narcissist. The narcissist derives his or her self-worth from factors other than the self. In a nutshell, caring after and watching out after yourself by fulfilling your own needs and gratifying your own desires is appropriate, if not helpful. It is generally beneficial, even though it comes at the expense of other people (who might have their own issues too). What makes it so dangerous is whether there is an excess of narcissism, pathological or not.

Adolescents typically practice self-love in order to establish their personality and actualize themselves (i.e., doing what they wish, distinguishing themselves from their parents, etc.), and both of these are necessary for development as long as they are in appropriate amounts. Although these characteristics can be abused, resulting in unpleasant effects, much of the time they are part of growing up. Overt and covert narcissism are NPD subtypes. Narcissistic personality disorder is further subdivided into two subtypes: visible and subtle.

The overt form of narcissist is most closely related to the concept of narcissism, which is why they are sometimes known as the classic type. He or she expressly prioritizes his or herself above anyone else. These individuals possess characteristics such as grandiosity, exhibitionism, thick skin, and willfulness. In their quest to get what they want; they are often indifferent to or disrespectful of others. They use their fake selves to view themselves as authoritative and ideal in order to gain the respect of others.

Overt narcissists aren't necessarily unpleasant. They always tend to be charming and considerate towards others, despite the fact that their key goal is to attract the interest of others. They are always exploitative. The secret form of narcissist, on the other hand, takes a different path to pursuing similar goals. They tend to be very fragile, frail, and very attentive to others. They also tend to be too humble and will pay close attention to the opinions of others, typically more than they should. They are also grandiose and publicity hungry in certain ways because they enjoy the attention of others; the main distinction being that they don't try to be as direct about it as blatant narcissists might.

‘’Make no mistake, all of these personality types are classified as NPD. They both crave publicity and are more concerned about themselves than others.’’

Among the most severe manifestations of narcissism, classified as a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), findings show that there are several subtypes that can manifest themselves. Including the fact that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies narcissism as a single condition, researchers have defined several basic subtypes:

●     Grandiose narcissism:

This narcissist is conceited, daring, and, yes, grandiose. They are often unaware of their exploitative actions, lack of empathy, extreme hostility, jealousy, and exhibitionism. They truly don't realize they're doing something illegal or out of the ordinary. Extreme grandiosity is sometimes known as malignant narcissism. Malignant narcissists dehumanize the individuals in their lives and discredit communities and all institutions in which they are active.

●     Vulnerable narcissism:

This form of narcissist is often hypersensitive and demonstrates characteristics such as helplessness, defensiveness, hypersensitivity, low self-esteem, guilt, and emotional emptiness. Outwardly, these characteristics appear as social avoidance behaviour. In other words, they retreat when social consent is required but not provided.

●     Hypervigilant narcissism:

This narcissist, like the previous one, is overly emotional and suffers from feelings of guilt on a regular basis.

●     High-functioning narcissism:

This individual has a milder form of NPD and can behave as a socially accepted member of society. Another analysis described five narcissistic subtypes, which included the following: Narcissist with no morals: This person is dishonest, amoral, disloyal, corrupt, manipulative, greedy, exploitive, domineering, contemptuous, and vindictive. They are, in essence, a scam artist and a charlatan.

● Erotic narcissism:

Erotic narcissists are physically seductive, attractive, tantalizing, glib, enticing, sly, and bewitching, yet they are still pathological liars and swindlers that are unable to express genuine affection.

● Compensatory narcissist:

This individual creates delusions of dominance to compensate for feelings of inferiority and poor self-esteem. They portray themselves as remarkable, noble, and noteworthy. They derive their self-worth from self-improvement efforts rather than really doing the job to be inspirational.

● Elitist narcissist:

This person feels entitled and empowered as a result of his or her pseudo-achievements and/or unique childhood status. They project an entitled, upwardly mobile facade that finds favor in the good life. They strive to cultivate a special identity by affiliation and explore the benefits that come with it.

● Normal narcissist:

This is the mildest form of NPD. This individual still feels entitled and lacks reciprocity, but they are more assertive in some situations and have a higher level of self-confidence. They are usually ambitious and talented in positions of leadership, but they believe they are exceptional and demand respect from others.

The Relationship Between NPD and Physical Symptoms

NPD has a detrimental impact on physical wellbeing, in addition to anything else that it impacts negatively. This is especially true for men who suffer from this disorder. Narcissistic males have elevated levels of stress hormones in their bloodstream and even when hey are not stressed. This can result in a variety of health issues, including an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, stomach issues, asthma, and high blood pressure. Furthermore, since narcissists often use drugs to relieve their suffering, they are more vulnerable to the negative effects of addiction to any number of substances. Finally, the tension between a narcissist and health professionals caused by patients with NPD's sense of entitlement will also result in noncompliance with care regimens, which can increase their risk of mortality, especially in patients with long-term conditions requiring intensive treatment, such as cancer. NPD is clearly a risky and daunting psychiatric illness to treat, and it endangers the life of everyone who suffers from it. Furthermore, it is a difficult disorder to identify, which means it can go undiagnosed—and thus untreated—for a person's entire life, especially because the person with this issue does not know they have it at all. And if they do, they may be resistant to medical diagnosis and treatment. Since NPD has so many common expressions, identifying it can be difficult. Despite this, there are no pure subtypes of narcissism, although all of the characteristics identified with one of these subtypes, as well as other personality disorders, can also be present in those with a particular condition. That is one of the difficulties in distinguishing between the various manifestations of this psychiatric illness. Furthermore, as research shows, it can be difficult to distinguish pathological narcissism from stable narcissism.

So, what personality characteristics describe a person suffering from narcissistic personality disorder?

There are nine universally known criteria that, if met, will result in a narcissistic diagnosis. It's a little difficult because, as previously said, not all narcissism is NPD or the negative kind of NPD. While these criteria have evolved over time, they all seem to point to the grandiose traits of a narcissist. In brief, if you find someone who displays five of the following nine traits, he or she may have narcissistic personality disorder:

• Usually becomes enraged, humiliated, or insulted in response to criticism (which may or may not be expressed);

• Has a habit of using others to further his or her own selfish goals;

• Constantly showcases achievements; wanting to be identified as relevant for any cause, always;

• thinks that no-one else is having the same challenges he has,

• always trapped in ideal scenarios (i.e., infinite success, flawless romance, everlasting beauties);

• feels authorized and even requests preferential care (i.e. does not feel that he or she has to stand in line);

• Seeks always for compliments, always want approval or admiration;

• Has inability to sympathize (i.e. he or she doesn't understand, even though the reasons are rational;

• Envies the people around him or her.

Common Narcissistic Manipulation Techniques

While there are several subcategories of narcissism, these toxic individuals exhibit a number of habits in general. They generally aim to manipulate, degrade, and damage sexual partners, family members, and friends. They use a series of manipulative tactics to misrepresent the truth of their victims, and they do so often in order to escape accountability for their behavior. Here's a list of basic tactics they may use to misrepresent the reality:

Gaslighting is a form of deception. Gaslighting is a sneaky tactic used to make you believe you're insane. Essentially, the narcissist would insist that you made up everything that you claimed that happened. This is one of the most common ways toxic people manipulate the facts. It will slowly erode your confidence in your own decision. It will finally encourage you to stop reporting bullying and mistreatment because you wonder if you're dreaming things.

Projection: Toxic people are often projecting their flaws into those around them. They would go to whatever length to prevent accountability. It's a defensive tactic they use in order to escape possession. While most people project to some degree, the narcissist's projection is mentally abusive. They often use humiliating and barbaric methods to do this. They deliberately want to make their loved ones feel ashamed about something that is not really their fault. It's a way for them to pass the guilt away from themselves and onto someone else. It has the effect of distorting facts and instilling fear in its victims.

Nonsensical conversations: Toxic individuals, including malignant narcissists, can often employ a number of methods to misrepresent fact throughout a discussion. It is almost difficult to have a thoughtful conversation with a narcissist. Instead, it devolves into a senseless word salad that combines circular arguments, projection, and gaslighting. It's a ploy intended to frustrate and confuse you, and most importantly, to divert your attention away from the main issue you were discussing. They also want you to feel bad for having your own thoughts and opinions, especially if they vary from theirs. As a consequence, you begin to wonder how the debate started in the first place. The fact is that it started when your dispute called into question their sense of omniscience and dominance. These poisonous people rely on drama, but everything you say in the debate only adds fuel to their craziness.

Blanket statements: Many narcissists are intellectually lazy, relying on their ability to distort reality rather than considering your point of view. As a result, they tend to generalize anything and everything you say. They don't consider the nuances of your arguments; they simply dismiss your point of view. They also use broad generalizations to dismiss experiences that contradict their beliefs. It helps them maintain the status quo. For example., if you claim that a narcissist's behaviour is inappropriate, they can respond by saying that you are often too sensitive. Although you might be too emotional at times, it is very possible that your manipulative attacker is disrespectful and abusive the majority of the time.

They're actually inexplicably misrepresenting your thoughts: Toxic people can go to whatever length to make their loved ones look ridiculous, if not evil. To the end, they always translate your various points of view, genuine feelings, and lived experiences into character defects or even signs of your irrationality. If you show your emotions, your manipulative abuser might react with something like, Wow, now you're fine, huh? They use this type of sentiment to invalidate your right to your own opinions and feelings, as well as to make you feel bad if you want to set limits. If they are triggered by what you hear, they can even make assumptions about what you are thinking or doing. They will insert words in your mouth to portray you as bizarre or having ulterior motives. This is just another form of cognitive illusion intended to catch you off guard. Their primary aim is to persuade you that if you provide them with realistic input, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Nitpicking and shifting the topic: Toxic narcissists nitpick and scapegoat you at any opportunity. They don't want to encourage you, because they're not giving you positive criticism. Instead, they're attempting to drag you down. They use this tactic in conjunction with pushing their ongoing disappointment with you. If you have evidence of what you are claiming they will demand further proof. They can instill a sense of unworthiness in their victims by constantly adjusting and raising the standards. They'll never believe you're doing anything to make them happy. It will also cause you to become hyper-focused on pleasing them, which is just what they want you to do: doubt yourself to the point of insanity. In the end, no matter how hard you want to appease them, it won't change the horrifying way they treat you.

Changing the subject is another narcissist-favored technique. They will change the topic so that they are not held responsible for any problems. When you're discussing what they did now, they'll put up something you did two years ago as a distraction. They often begin with, How about when you... This has the potential to derail the dialogue, because if they are successful, the problem will not be resolved, and they will not be held responsible for their behaviour.

Threats, both explicit and indirect: If you threaten a narcissist's sense of dominance, fake dominance, or grandiose sense of self in some way, they will always respond with overt or tacit threats. They will continue to make you scared of the repercussions of defying their demands. Any threat to their supposed dominance is met with an ultimatum: Do this or I'll do that. It doesn't even know what the other is—whether it's abandoning you or a physical threat—these threats are a massive red flag that someone believes they are entitled to something and don't think they should have to compromise. You should take threats seriously by tracking them, especially if they include physical abuse, and you should also follow through by reporting those threats so that there is a record of the incident.

Name calling: This is another means for narcissists and other abusive individuals to divert attention away from the problem at hand. They like to strike first and strike often at something that threatens their sense of dominance and privilege. They are the only ones in the room that can be right, and anyone who contradicts them can succumb to their narcissistic anger. They always resort to name-calling in this state because they can't think of a proper way to control your thoughts and handle your emotions. It's a simple and convenient way to undermine you and deny you the right to your own thoughts and emotions. No matter how well-researched or educated your viewpoint is, name-calling easily paints it as silly or idiotic. Since the narcissist cannot come up with a compelling rebuttal to your point, they must target you individually in order to weaken your integrity.

Destructive conditioning: It occurs when a toxic individual teaches you to equate your abilities, gifts, and even good memories with violence. To demean you and sabotage your aims, they use both subtle and blatant insults about the same values they once respected in you. They would also use this trick to spoil the parties, weekends, and holidays. They will also use this tactic to separate you from your friends and relatives, as well as to make you financially reliant on them. You become conditioned to stop using your skills to make your own life satisfying, much as Pavlov's dog was conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell. They do this to ensure that you do not outshine them. They still agree that anything you do should be aimed at making them happy. Furthermore, they do not want anyone other than them to have any influence on your life. Their power over you is the most crucial thing to them, and they are therefore pathologically envious. Furthermore, once you experience prosperity and pleasure that is irrelevant to them, they are envious because they are unable to pursue that inner joy. Finally, if you can find acceptance outside of them, what is stopping you from leaving?

Identifying a narcissist is just the first step. After all, just recognizing that an individual is a narcissist does nothing to change the fact that he or she is one. Understanding how a narcissist ticks can give you the potential to predict how an individual will respond to such circumstances, helping you and others around you to plan for such situations and successfully mitigate, if not prevent, conflicts. Understanding how a narcissist thinks will really strengthen your relationship with them. The most popular cause of narcissism recorded is from a person's partner, such as a girlfriend or romantic partner. However, the most detrimental impacting source is from a family environment. Children who grow up in a narcissistic household have a difficult time finding out what is wrong in their lives, according to scientific studies and practice, so denial is prevalent in their family structure.

Dynamics in relationships

What Family Dynamics Exist Where There Is A Narcissist Involved?

When a narcissistic family member is your parent, they are likely to feel empty, defective, and incompetent, and they are often likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. A selfish adult has no idea how they are this way. As a result, the children are more likely to experience conditions such as depression and anxiety. It is also normal for them to seek care for themselves later in life in order to resolve marital problems or emotional symptoms. However, they are often unaware of the underlying cause of their psychiatric illness. A family with one or two narcissistic parents is often concealing deep suffering. These families work according to unspoken laws. The rules are taught to the youngsters, but they never fully understand them and are always irritated by them. These unspoken laws obstruct their emotional access to their guardians. As a result, the children believe and seem to be unseen. Unfortunately, the manipulative parent can use these intangible laws to cross lines with their children and use them when necessary. Let's have a peek at what a narcissistic family sounds like in this subchapter. This might be useful if you are experiencing narcissistic bullying by a member of your family. Keep in mind that no two families are alike, and there are often varying degrees of discord on a continuum based on the extent of narcissism among the adults.

Absence of limits

In a narcissistic family, there are little limits. Children's emotions are seen as unimportant. Emotional and physical limits are seldom recognized, and private diaries are read. Nobody has a right to privacy in a narcissistic family.

Negative messages

Narcissistic parents constantly send both spoken and unspoken messages to their offspring, which causes them to internalize them. These signals are usually along the lines of 'you don't measure up,' 'you're not good enough,' or 'your worth is determined by what you do rather than who you are.' This is why children would go to whatever length to appease their manipulative parent. Disruption that is both obvious and subtle Typically, toxic interactions inside narcissistic communities are concealed or visible to anyone. Where it comes to dysfunctional and aggressive families, the dysfunction is generally very clear, but when it comes to social and mental violence, it is also easily obscured. And if the drama is not revealed to other adults, it is very harmful to children. Emotions Feelings are not addressed in a narcissistic family, they are ignored. The parents never show their children how to correctly process or accept their feelings. Instead, they are taught to completely suppress their emotions and are frequently told that their emotions do not matter. Narcissistic parents are out of touch with their own emotions, which they project onto their children. When a narcissistic parent's emotions are suppressed, it leads to a lack of honesty and accountability in the family, and in severe cases, it can lead to psychological disorders. People react in unhealthy ways when they are not taught how to properly process their emotions. The trick of a narcissistic family is that a narcissistic parent will never accommodate their children's needs. They can also be verbally disrespectful to them. This is the standard in a narcissistic household. The lesson conveyed to the children is that they do not reveal their troubles to the outside world. The kids must act as if their family is fine and natural. The narcissist is one parent, and the orbiting parent is the other. The most popular form of dynamic is where one parent is a narcissist and the other parent needs to do anything to keep the marriage together. This other parent normally possesses a plethora of positive characteristics that they can pass on to their offspring. Nonetheless, since the majority of their time and attention is spent addressing the demands of their selfish mate, they often neglect the needs of their baby. Unfortunately, the children grow up having to satisfy all of their parents' desires in order to gain the affection and nurturing they instinctively need.

Communication that is ineffective

Triangulation is the most prevalent method of contact used by manipulative families. Rather than simply communicating information from one to another, the narcissistic parent typically engages another person in this exchange, ensuring that it will reach their intended recipient. Everyone in the family gossips about each other, but no one is ever confronted directly. This style of dialogue fosters distrust and conflict by creating a passive-aggressive atmosphere. When overt contact occurs, it is normally when someone is upset.

There is no hierarchy.

In stable households, there is typically a clear parental hierarchy in which the parents provide instruction, affection, and light to their children. In narcissistic families, this kind of dynamic does not exist. As a result, the children are responsible for addressing the needs of their parents.

Inability to accept emotional accountability

Since selfish people lack empathy and unconditional affection, they are unable to emotionally accept and support their children. They are harsher and more judgmental toward their children than they are caring and compassionate. This is why their children end up doing all they can to fulfill their parents' demands in order to be recognized and loved.

Siblings are put against each other.

In stable families, siblings are often expected to be close and caring to one another. Children in broken homes with a narcissist are sometimes pitted against each other in an unhealthy rivalry. There is still a distinction of which child is superior and which is not. One of the children may be preferred over the others, while others may be seen as a scapegoat for their parents' bad feelings. Siblings who grow up in a narcissistic household are typically estranged from one another.

You're never going to be nice enough.

The selfish parent normally sends a message to their children that they are 'not good enough' in a variety of ways. They may either tell it to their children or model it for them. Typically, narcissists exhibit boastful, greedy, and self-loathing conduct. Their self-loathing psyche is typically passed on to their children. Illustration All revolves about a manipulative parent's appearance and how some view them. They give the message to the outside world that their family is still stronger and stronger, and that they have no issues. Furthermore, they force their families to put on a flawless face. Children raised in this community are often concerned with what their family, neighbours, and peers think of them. They are afraid that