12 Ways A Narcissist Acts When They Can't Control You

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Dealing with a narcissist can be like trying to hold water in your hands – slippery and unpredictable. When they realize they can't control you, their true colors often show in unique and challenging ways.

Here's a look at what you might expect:

1. Obvious Frustration: When a narcissist can't manipulate you as usual, their frustration becomes glaringly apparent. They may raise their voice, show agitation, or resort to aggressive behaviors, reflecting their distress over losing control.
2. Blame Game: Narcissists excel in deflecting responsibility. When they lose control, they often shift the blame to you, presenting themselves as victims. This strategy aims to divert attention from their manipulative actions.
3. The Silent Treatment: In response to losing control, a narcissist might give you the silent treatment. By ignoring you or withdrawing communication, they aim to provoke an emotional response, seeking to reassert their dominance.
4. Social Puppeteering: If they can't control you directly, narcissists might manipulate your social circle, trying to turn friends or colleagues against you. This tactic is designed to isolate you and regain influence.
5. Love-Bombing: Facing the challenge of losing control, a narcissist might resort to love-bombing. This involves overwhelming you with affection and admiration, a desperate attempt to sway your emotions and regain control.
6. Playing the Victim: Narcissists often portray themselves as the wounded party when they can't control you. By eliciting sympathy, they hope to regain influence and manipulate you back into compliance.
7. Hoovering: This is a tactic used to suck you back into their control. When distance impedes their influence, they might reach out with nostalgia or promises of change, aiming to reestablish dominance.
8. Smear Campaign: Unable to control you directly, a narcissist might attack your reputation with a smear campaign, spreading rumors to tarnish your image and weaken your social support.
9. Escalating Tactics: In more extreme cases, narcissists may escalate their efforts, resorting to stalking, harassment, or legal actions to regain control.
10. False Support: Seemingly supportive behavior can be a facade. A narcissist may offer assistance or agreement with your choices but with a hidden agenda aimed at regaining control.
11. Mimicking Empathy: When control is slipping, a narcissist might mimic empathetic behavior, using it as a strategy to gain your trust and manipulate you.
12. The Manipulative Behavior Intensifies: As they lose control, some narcissists become more aggressive in their tactics. They might persistently push their agenda, invade personal boundaries, or use coercive methods. This escalation is a desperate attempt to regain dominance.

Source:

https://www.marriage.com/advice/mental-health/when-a-narcissist-cant-control-you/