What happens when you give a narcissist the silent treatment back?

Often, the result of the silent treatment is exactly what the person with narcissism wishes to create: a reaction from the target and a sense of control.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodtherapy.org


What happens if you give a narcissist the silent treatment?

The silent treatment, while sometimes seemingly harmless when talking about it, can be a highly damaging and effective form of manipulation, coercion, and control used by toxic people. It is common, even though many victims feel alone and like they cant talk about it because no one will believe them or understand.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on psychcentral.com


What happens when you ignore the silent treatment?

According to a 2012 study, people who regularly feel ignored also report lower levels of self-esteem, belonging, and meaning in their lives. Because of this, the silent treatment can have an impact on the health of a relationship, even if the person who is silent is trying to avoid conflict.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


How do you respond to narcissistic silent treatment?

Tell the person how the silent treatment hurts and leaves you feeling frustrated and alone. That's not what you want or need in a relationship. Explain that you can't resolve issues this way, then be specific about those issues. If this sort of behavior is a relationship deal-breaker for you, state it plainly.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on businessinsider.com


Giving A Narcissist The Silent Treatment



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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on upjourney.com


How do you make a narcissist regret losing you?

How to Make a Narcissist Regret Losing You
  1. Cut off all contact with the person.
  2. Be unattainable and focus on your well-being.
  3. Spend time with your support network.
  4. Realize that people with NPD can't feel regret.
  5. Resist the urge to get revenge.
  6. Give yourself a chance to grieve the relationship.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


How long should silent treatment last?

If the perpetrator still refuses to acknowledge the victim's existence for long periods of time, it might be right to leave the relationship. In the end, whether it lasts four hours or four decades, the silent treatment says more about the person doing it than it does about the person receiving it.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theatlantic.com


What happens when you chase a narcissist?

Once you let your guard down, the narcissist strikes

They'll start pulling away from the relationship to test your reaction. They'll start twisting the truth and blaming you for their problems. They'll invalidate your emotions over and over again until you doubt your own thoughts.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on upjourney.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


Is silence the best revenge?

Silence speaks volumes

The best revenge is no reaction. Believe it, the silence and zero reaction really bothers your ex, and they consider it as the best served revenge. Nothing creates more curiosity than silence. Your ex would expect a vent or an angry rant from you, but don't give in.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on idiva.com


What does a narcissist do when you ignore him?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thenarcissisticlife.com


How does a narcissist react to no contact?

They can be moody, angry and irritable. A narcissist struggles with no in-person contact because they utilize body language to communicate, get their needs met, and maintain control. They have low self-esteem, and without validation, they can come become moody, angry, and irritable.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on upjourney.com


How does a narcissist handle rejection and no contact?

Gaslighters/narcissists are extremely sensitive to rejection. Any perceived slight can throw them into a tailspin. Many times, gaslighters/narcissists will be out for revenge. One of the most common ways gaslighters/narcissists attack those who reject them is by subjecting them to public humiliation.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on forbes.com


How do you make a narcissist feel guilty?

To make a narcissist feel guilty about their actions or mistakes, they need to know that there are consequences. Let the narcissist know that you won't tolerate their actions and that you're willing to walk away from the relationship if it continues.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thenarcissisticlife.com


How will a narcissist react if he knows that he is losing control over you?

They will ignore your feelings and act as if they don't exist. The narcissist will force their will onto you, which sometimes involves stalking. You may not even be trying to escape from your narcissistic partner- you may have chosen to shut them out of a certain area of your life.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thenarcissisticlife.com


What triggers the narcissist to want you back?

They may be pretending like they want you back just to get a reaction out of you, just to see if they still have some power over you, if they can still control you. Seeing that they're still able to control your emotions will make them feel powerful.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medium.com


What turns a narcissist off?

The best way to shut down a narcissist is to not engage with them at all and to go no contact. People that are narcissistic want things from you – they want your attention and your emotional reaction.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on upjourney.com


Is it better to ignore a narcissist?

Consider a Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Program

You can't control their behaviors – you can only control your own. Ignoring a narcissist who ignores you doesn't work because it's too easy for the narcissist to play on your compassion and take advantage of your desire to be respected and loved.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kimsaeed.com


Does no contact work with a narcissist?

Going no contact is probably the most effective way to escape the claws of a narcissist. However, it's not as easy as blocking his number. The narcissist isn't the “if you love somebody set them free” kind of person. He (or she) is going to fight!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on toxicties.com


What is it called when a narcissist ignores you?

Devaluation occurs when the narcissist no longer believes you provide any value to their image or sense of worth. They devalue you to make you feel powerless, so they can feel powerful. The reason that led to the ignoring from the narcissist isn't important because the reason often doesn't make sense to the outsider.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mindsettherapyonline.com


Do narcissists come back after ghosting?

Yes! They most often come back after ending the relationship if there is still enough supply for them.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thenarcissisticlife.com
Previous question
Do chimps avoid incest?