What happens when a narcissist feels inferior?

People with narcissistic behavior already see themselves as superior to others, so they may become rude or abusive when they don't receive the treatment they think they deserve. While they hold themselves superior, they may speak or act rudely toward those that they deem are inferior.

Why do narcissists try to make you feel inferior?

A narcissist feels and believes that they are better, more important than others, or otherwise unique; therefore they feel entitled to special treatment. So when they feel the need to regulate their shaky self-esteem, they tend to act entitled to make others feel worse.

Do narcissists have inferiority complexes?

Fragile narcissists demonstrated grandiosity under threat (defensive grandiosity) and experienced feelings of inadequacy and anxiety, indicating that they vacillate between superiority and inferiority.

How do you make a narcissist miserable?

Why do narcissists need to feel superior?

The admiration that comes with being superior, powerful and unique, is also a way of getting validation from the outside world, of chasing away that lingering inner sense of worthlessness that is so torturous for the narcissist.

How does a narcissist react when they can't control you?

Narcissists also gaslight or practice master manipulation, weakening and destabilizing their victims; finally, they utilize positive and negative emotions or moments to trick others. When a narcissist can't control you, they'll likely feel threatened, react with anger, and they might even start threatening you.

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.

What happens when you stand up to a narcissist?

If you stand up to someone with a narcissistic personality, you can expect them to respond. Once you speak up and set boundaries, they may come back with some demands of their own. They may also try to manipulate you into feeling guilty or believing that you're the one being unreasonable and controlling.

What makes a narcissist uncomfortable?

Narcissists also have a distorted perception of reality where they are all powerful, beautiful, knowing, authoritative, and right. Any shattering of that fantasy is met with immediate anger. Revealing their insecurity At the heart of every narcissist, is deep-rooted insecurity that causes shame or doubt such as abuse.

How do you humiliate a narcissist?

If you want to cut to a narcissist's emotional core, make them look bad in public. Try challenging their opinions, ignoring their commands, or laughing at their misfortunes and they'll fly into a narcissistic rage.

Why do narcissists lash out?

Injury to self-esteem or self-worth

When they're “hurt,” narcissists tend to lash out as their first line of defense. They may feel that cutting someone out or intentionally hurting them with words or violence can help them protect their persona.

Why do narcissists put others down?

In narcissistic individuals, the preponderance of their critical inner voices is directed at others and putting others down to make them feel better about themselves.

Do narcissists feel inadequate?

When people with covert narcissism can't measure up to the high standards they set for themselves, they may feel inadequate in response to this failure. These feelings of inadequacy can trigger: shame. anger.

What are narcissists ashamed of?

Being fundamentally ashamed of themselves, people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are experts at playing the shame game with those around them. Often confused with its cousin guilt, which is a feeling of distress about something we have done, shame is a feeling of distress about who we are.

Why do narcissists devalue?

They will begin subtly and covertly putting you down to devalue you. The motivation of the narcissist is to make you feel weak and powerless – so as to gain control over you. They are deeply insecure people and here they will be projecting the devaluation of and feelings about themselves onto you.

Why are narcissists so vindictive?

Common triggers of vindictive behavior in NPD

Underneath an apparent sense of superiority, there might also be an exaggerated need to feel approved and loved, and a vulnerable self-esteem. In this sense, some people with NPD might experience any hint of rejection as a trigger for vindictive behavior.

What scares the narcissist the most?

Narcissists are terrified of being alone, and their greatest fear is abandonment. Setting clear boundaries or not reacting to their chaotic manipulation will cause them to become afraid of losing you even though they may never admit it.

What irritates a narcissist the most?

Narcissists love attention, validation, and power. So what drives a narcissist crazy? Simply put, anything that jeopardizes their basic needs for superiority can quickly irritate them. If you want to know how to infuriate a narcissist, you can look no further than by giving them nothing at all.

What angers a narcissist the most?

8 Triggers of a Narcissist's Rage

They feel that they've been criticized, even if the critique is constructive or said kindly. They're not the center of attention. They're caught breaking rules or not respecting boundaries. They're held accountable for their actions.

What should you not do to a narcissist?

How do narcissists react when you leave?

Narcissists hate losing their supply, so they won't let you go easily. Prepare for them to promise "to change." They might suddenly start doing things for you that you'd been complaining about. They may say "you'll be lost without me," or "you'll never find someone like me."

How do you stand your ground against a narcissist?

When the narcissist knows you have them figured out?

2. They exude manipulative behaviors. When a narcissist is exposed or when the narcissist knows you have figured him out, they will never admit the truth even if it is staring them in the face. A narcissist will lay several false accusations and try to make him right.

What happens when you ignore a narcissist hoovering?

Most narcissists will not readily change their behavior once you ignore them. They might make half-hearted attempts to “get better,” but they often abandon these efforts once they can refuel their narcissistic supply. This pattern often leads you to feel exhausted, resentful, and angry.

What happens when you ignore a narcissist silent treatment?

When the narcissist uses the silent treatment or ignores you in other ways, they are doing so to manipulate you into doing what they want or focusing all your attention on them. It can be a damaging tactic given that it can make you feel like you mean nothing to them.