How can you tell if a narcissist is being honest?
Narcissists will say anything to get you to do what they want and they have an arsenal of words to use to do this. Their victims need to know how these manipulations work in order to circumvent them.
Here, you can find out more about the manipulative things narcissists say so that you can spot them before it’s too late. Also, learn the mind games they play, some tricks to use to avoid arguments, and ways to recover from narcissistic abuse.
9 Things Narcissists Say and Why
A narcissist’s tricks will leave you wondering whether or not you’re even sane. It’s tough to know whether or not your reactions are valid when so many things about this person feel chaotic. Narcissists thrive on you feeling this way.
Their words feel like weapons, and if you are not prepared to handle their manipulative behavior or harsh words, you are the one who suffers. Here are the top things that narcissists say when they are trying to trick someone and the reasons why these statements can be so damaging.
1. You’re Too Sensitive
Narcissists love to tell people that they are too sensitive. They do this because it allows them to shrug off accountability for their actions. Also, it makes the other person doubt themselves. This type of abuse is a form of gaslighting. You are not too sensitive. You just want to be treated with the love and respect you deserve. There is nothing wrong with that!
The Reason Why:
By telling someone that they are overreacting or taking things the wrong way, narcissists can blame others. That way, no matter how bad anything gets, they never have to take responsibility for any of it. It’s important not to be swayed by these comments.
2. Stop Being Melodramatic
Narcissists love to tell people that they are being melodramatic — but you are not being overly dramatic because you have feelings about the horrible way a person treats you!
The Reason Why:
Narcissists do this because it allows them to control your reactions. By telling someone that they are overreacting or taking things the wrong way, the narcissist doesn’t have to be accountable for their bad behavior.
3. Don’t Be Crazy
Narcissists also love to tell people that they are being crazy. This is just another way of telling you that your feelings do not matter. They are trying to invalidate how you feel about the situation at hand. The fact is, you are not crazy. Their behavior is!
The Reason Why:
This comment may be thrown out when you are confronting a narcissist about something they did or said. If you have suspicions about their behavior or if you bring up anything negative in general, they will tell you that you are crazy. By using this insult, it’s like saying, “I’m not responsible for this, so I can stop listening.”
4. I’m Sorry You Feel That Way
Narcissists will often apologize if they know that people are starting to see through their act. The person receiving the apology might be taken aback because it’s usually obvious that the narcissist doesn’t feel any kind of remorse for what’s been done. They are just trying to get out of trouble.
The Reason Why:
Narcissists use apologies as an easy way out when they start getting caught up in their own lies.
5. It Doesn’t Have to Be Like This
A narcissist will often say this when trying to get someone to stay in a position of inferiority. This is done so that the person saying it won’t have to take responsibility for their own actions and instead shifts all blame onto the other party. Narcissists are manipulative enough to know what to say at any given moment to get what they want.
The Reason Why:
By shifting blame, and telling you that things could be different if only you would behave differently, narcissists, once again, avoid accountability. They want you to believe that their behavior is your responsibility, and therefore they cannot be the one to blame for things being stressful.
6. Why Are You So Mad?
Narcissists will often say this when they have done something to upset someone. By doing so, the narcissist is implying that they’re not at fault for what is happening, or at least, what they did isn’t so bad. Instead, it is the other person who should be holding themselves accountable. This also means you will have a hard time standing up for yourself if you find yourself in any situation like this.
The Reason Why:
The reason a narcissist will say this is so your voice won’t feel as powerful since you are being blamed simply by existing. This narcissist trick can cause people to stay quiet even though there is plenty of grief boiling inside them which needs to come out.
7. You Don’t Understand
When narcissistic people feel threatened by someone who sees through their behavior, they will then try to get an emotional rise out of the other person. They do this by saying that you don’t understand them. They will tell you that you don’t know what is going on in their life, and so you cannot tell them what’s right for them.
The Reason Why:
Narcissistic people need to be believed 100% of the time because anything less than complete trust can feel like a rejection. Therefore, if you “don’t understand,” they have not lied. You just don’t get it.
8. You’re Being Unreasonable
Narcissists know that they get to decide what is “reasonable,” and the other person will go along with it. Narcissistic abusers use this phrase in an attempt to discredit someone’s feelings. It also serves as a tactic for changing the subject and avoiding accountability for their actions.
The Reason Why:
Narcissists will often use this phrase to diminish somebody’s argument or point of view. It is a manipulative tactic that works well on people more inclined to be agreeable and less likely to react or take action against another person. This behavior is often a result of wanting the other person not to be upset with them.
9. You’re Lucky I Put Up with This
Often, a narcissist will say this when they begin to feel the person on the other side of the relationship is starting to pull away. They say it as if you need to feel blessed that they have chosen to stay with you and that without their presence, things would be much worse for you.
The Reason Why:
The trickery comes from making someone else responsible for feeling insecure about themselves by presenting these supposed worries as reasons to stay in the relationship. Narcissists will often say things like this to make their partner feel as if there is something wrong.
Recovering from the Pain of the Things Narcissist Say
I hope this article has helped you grasp that the narcissist’s abusive words have nothing to do with you. You are the narcissist’s target, but you are not the cause of the abuse. Narcissists have spent years mastering the skills it takes to manipulate people the way that they do. The truth is, anyone who is close to the narcissist will be the target of their abuse, regardless of who they are.
Narcissists will never accept responsibility for the things they do or say because this is who they’ve been their whole adult lives. Even if, in the beginning, you knew the things they said were lies, you’ve heard them over and over for so long that you may have come to accept their lies as truth.
If you have not grown up dealing with a narcissist, then you have fewer years of experience than they do. This lack of knowledge will put you at a tremendous disadvantage when it comes to communicating with them. Yet, if you are familiar with the things narcissists say to trick you, you can better prepare yourself for dealing with them.
Narcissistic abuse is an assault on your heart and soul. Ultimately, it’s an inner struggle between you and the Narcissist, which is why other people do not recognize or understand it.
Therefore, your best bet is to just stop dealing with the Narcissist as much as you possibly can, right now. You cannot win a battle for your soul when the battle itself destroys your soul. So fight as little as possible, get as far away as you can, and stay there.
This is the only way to win.
Once you are away from the Narcissist, your life energy can begin to recharge, your vitality can start to return, your cup can start to fill again, and your soul can begin to heal. Everyone has the innate capacity to heal themselves. But, it’s likely you will need external support to heal the traumas that get in the way of your ability to tune into this gift.⠀
I cover the applications and theories in all of these areas in my narcissistic abuse recovery program.
Develop effective ways to break free from narcissistic abuse. Reduce conflict, stress & drama!
You can find out more details here.
This nurturing program includes a wonderful private community that assists and supports all people detaching and healing from narcissistic abuse, no matter who the narcissist is (such as a family member, spouse, partner, friend, etc.) and regardless of the circumstances involved.
As always, I look forward to answering your comments and questions.
