What are flying monkeys to a narcissist?

Flying monkeys are people who actively participate in a narcissist's smear campaign. The goal of the campaign is to destroy the target's reputation. Flying monkeys carry out much of the narcissist's dirty work, allowing the narc to keep their hands clean.
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Do flying monkeys ever turn on the narcissist?

If the flying monkey is another narcissist, they most often will try to turn the tables on the first narcissist in order to depose them and take their place. This may also occur with an antisocial personality if they can benefit from doing so.
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Why do narcissists need flying monkeys?

When the narcissist wants to evoke some punishment on a target they dispatch their henchmen (aka flying monkeys) to do their bidding. Unfortunately, this can and often does include abusive behavior such as guilt-tripping, twisting the truth, gaslighting, assaults, threats, and violence.
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How do narcissists recruit flying monkeys?

This is because one of the most common ways a narcissist will recruit a flying monkey is by spreading rumors, lies, and gossip. This approach is designed to target those who are eager to get involved in others' business and/or naturally gravitate towards drama, regardless of the validity of the narcissist's claims.
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What does a flying monkey symbolize?

According to some writers, the Winged Monkeys of Oz represent Native Americans in the West in the late 1800s. Baum himself had clear attitudes toward American Indians and some of his earlier writings about Indians are very similar to his descriptions of the Winged Monkeys found in Oz.
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What are "flying monkeys"? (Glossary of Narcissistic Relationships)



How do you shutdown a flying monkey?

Here are three tips on how to disable flying monkeys and send them on their way.
  1. Run Their Comments through a Filter of Truth. Flying Monkeys can't mess with your mind if you don't let them. ...
  2. Educate as Many as You Can. ...
  3. Refuse to Play Their Games. ...
  4. 3 Fun and Intimate Quizzes That Can Strengthen Your Relationship.
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How do you get narcissistic supply?

To be admired and to get their supply, narcissists employ various strategies, including impression management. They ingratiate themselves using their charm, emotional intelligence, bragging, seduction, and manipulation. Receiving attention and admiration boosts their weak self and lack of self-esteem.
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How do you spot a flying monkey?

To recruit a flying monkey, a narcissist will spread lies and gossip about the victim to create a narrative that portrays the narcissist as the victim and the victim as the abuser. This strategic approach that narcissists take when discrediting their victims attract different types of flying monkeys.
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How do you know if you are a flying monkey?

On a more individual level, you might be a “flying monkey” if you spread rumors and gossip. Or if you start acting hostile towards somebody after hearing rumors and gossip about them, without checking their side of the story.
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Why do narcissists spread rumors?

They have to be right about everything and their “truth” must be adopted by others. In addition, because of their inability to empathize with others and the fact they don't feel responsible of their actions, they can easily tell lies that may seem extremely unreal to you and twist the truth.
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Why are narcissists targeted?

"They get targeted if they are in good shape, they exercise a lot, and take care of their appearance. I've also seen people specifically targeted if they are of a religious faith, then the person either tries to get them to do things that go against their faith principles, or somehow break [them] down."
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How do you gray rock a narcissist?

How to use the grey rock method
  1. Stay neutral and disengaged.
  2. Don't give them your attention.
  3. Keep interactions short and sweet.
  4. Don't give away personal information.
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What is word salad narcissist?

NPD Meaning: The term narcissistic word salad is essentially a misuse of an important psychological term. Instead of referring to an involuntary verbal sign of a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, it is being used as a slang term for a type of narcissistic speech that is purposefully confusing.
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Why do enablers enable narcissist?

Typically a narcissist manipulates an enabler through alternating abuse and special treatment. The enabler falls into a pattern of avoiding attack while also seeking rewards such as affection, praise, sex, or money.
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What is hoovering by a narcissist?

Coined after the Hoover vacuum, hoovering is a calculating scheme commonly used by narcissists to "suck" you up into their orbit and get you back into their life. It's an energetically draining dynamic that perpetuates a toxic pattern of idealization, devaluation, and discardment.
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Why do narcs smear?

The narcissist began the smear campaign to rile your emotions up and get you to act out an emotional outburst — which would vindicate their view. Even if such an outburst is justified — as it almost always is when in response to the tactics of emotional manipulators — other people won't see it that way.
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How many flying monkeys does a narcissist have?

Narcissists love having at least one flying monkey, as it makes them feel important and means they can appear to be above the people below them (on both sides) who are caught up in the messy parts of the drama.
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How do you react to narcissistic triangulation?

How to respond
  1. Have a direct conversation. Pulling triangulation out into the light can be tough, particularly when you dislike any type of conflict and the other person seems to want to purposefully undermine you or treat you poorly. ...
  2. Establish your own support. ...
  3. Set boundaries.
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How do you respond to a narcissist smear campaign?

Let them know you are the target of a smear campaign and to not believe what your ex is saying about you. Inform them your ex is creating “spin” to the point that what they are saying is fiction and a waste of time to believe. Be forthright, convincing, and firm. State your side once, then let it go.
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Where does narcissist come from?

Although the cause of narcissistic personality disorder isn't known, some researchers think that in biologically vulnerable children, parenting styles that are overprotective or neglectful may have an impact. Genetics and neurobiology also may play a role in development of narcissistic personality disorder.
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What is covert narcissism?

A covert narcissist is someone who craves admiration and importance as well as lacks empathy toward others but can act in a different way than an overt narcissist. When considering the behavior of narcissists, it might be hard to imagine how someone could be a narcissist and be inhibited in their approach and behavior.
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What does cutting off all contact with a narcissist do to them?

Breaking up with a narcissist is likely to be a draining experience. Either they won't let you go without a fight, or they will discard you without looking back. Both experiences are extremely hurtful.
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How do you make a narcissist miserable?

How to Make a Narcissist Miserable: 12 Things They Can't Stand
  1. Ignore them.
  2. Act indifferent toward them.
  3. Tell them how happy you are.
  4. Speak in facts, not emotions.
  5. Set boundaries and stick to them.
  6. Tell them no.
  7. Give them an ultimatum for commitment.
  8. Push them to answer to authority.
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What happens when you stop giving a narcissist attention?

If you ignore a narcissist and deny them their source, they may become enraged and try even harder for your attention – especially in ways that can be toxic or abusive. Ignoring a narcissist will enrage them because of their fragile egos. They'll feel humiliated and lash out against you to protect themselves.
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Are flying monkeys weak?

Typically, flying monkeys are weak-willed and unassertive, at least in their relationship with the narcissist. Often, they are gullible, having astonishing low levels of insight or analytical thinking.
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