Dealing with a narcissist can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. Narcissists are often described as entitled, manipulative, and abusive, and they can bring a lot of toxicity and negativity into your life.
To effectively deal with a narcissist, it is important to understand what makes narcissists panic and how to use that to your advantage.
This article will explore ten tactics that can make a narcissist panic and put them on edge.
Understanding Narcissism
Before we delve into the tactics that can make a narcissist panic, it is important to understand what narcissism is and how it affects people.
Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by extreme self-centeredness, a lack of empathy, and a constant need for attention and admiration. People with this disorder are often described as arrogant, entitled, and manipulative.
Narcissists deeply fear failure and rejection and will do anything to avoid feeling vulnerable or inferior. They have fragile ego that requires constant validation, and any criticism or perceived threat to their image can cause them to panic.
Narcissists often feel a sense of entitlement, believing that they deserve special treatment and admiration from others. They may become angry or aggressive when they feel they are not getting the attention or respect they deserve.
Underlying their entitlement is often a deep sense of shame or insecurity. Narcissists use their grandiose self-images to hide their feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.
Effective Strategies That Make A Narcissist Panic
Several things can make a narcissist panic, but they all share a common theme: threatening their sense of superiority and control. Below are ten tactics that can make a narcissist panic and put them on edge.
1) Stop giving them the ‘attention’ they want
Narcissists thrive on attention and will go to any lengths to obtain it. They revel in being the center of attention and will employ various tactics to ensure they are noticed. However, when deprived of the attention they seek, they may experience panic.
One highly effective approach to induce panic in a narcissist is simply ignoring them. Refusing to engage or validate their actions strips them of their power and control.
Narcissists frequently crave attention and may quickly become frustrated and anxious when they feel it is being withheld.
To handle a narcissist, endeavor to refrain from providing them with attention or validation. Avoid responding to their provocative behavior or engaging with them in any manner. This can render them feeling invisible and powerless, ultimately leading to a state of panic.
2) Be completely calm
Narcissists relish causing distress to others and frequently attempt to incite a reaction. Yet, by maintaining your composure and remaining unruffled, you can effectively make narcissists panic and aggravate them.
Emotional stability and self-control are invaluable when interacting with a narcissist, as they can help make narcissists panic when they realize they are not getting the desired response.
Narcissists feed off of turmoil and disorder, actively seeking to elicit a response to fulfill their desires. By preserving your tranquility and making narcissists panic, you strip them of their power to manipulate the situation and leave them feeling unfulfilled without the anticipated reaction.
When faced with a narcissist’s provocation, hold steadfast to your calm demeanor. Refrain from displaying emotional reactions or anger, which only gratifies their intentions.
Instead, exhibit poise and self-control, ensuring they remain unaware of any impact they may have on you. This approach can make narcissists panic as they struggle to regain control over the situation and their emotions.
3) Act out of character
Narcissists tend to believe they have an uncanny ability to understand others, which enables them to manipulate and control situations to their advantage.
However, by stepping out of your usual patterns and catching the narcissist off guard with unexpected actions, you can disrupt their sense of control and leave them feeling disoriented.
When dealing with a narcissist who believes they have deciphered your behavior, strive to be unpredictable. Defy their expectations by responding in a manner they wouldn’t anticipate and resist falling into the trap of reacting as they desire.
4) Take control of the conversation
Narcissists have a tendency to dominate and manipulate conversations, often talking over others and steering the discussion to suit their interests. However, assertively taking charge of the conversation can create a sense of insecurity and unease in them.
These individuals typically use their charisma and charm to control others. You can effectively undermine their sense of control by confidently guiding the conversation in a direction that doesn’t cater to their needs.
To counteract a narcissist’s conversational dominance, assert yourself by speaking up, offering advice or constructive criticism, and preventing them from changing the subject or talking over you. This approach can leave them feeling as though they’ve lost control, potentially triggering feelings of panic.
5) Confront their lies
Narcissists feel entitled to lie and deceive others, and they will often make themselves look good at your expense. However, telling the truth about them can injure their ego, expose their insecurities, and effectively make narcissists panic.
Narcissists often feel like they are above the rules and can bend the truth to suit their needs. You can take away their power and control and make narcissists panic by confronting them with the truth and not letting them get away with their lies.
If a narcissist is lying or deceiving you, try to confront them with the truth. Don’t let them manipulate you or make you feel guilty.
Call them out on their behavior and tell them you won’t tolerate their lies. By doing this, you can make narcissists panic, as they realize their tactics are not working on you, and their carefully crafted façade begins to crumble.
6) Say ‘NO’ to the narcissist’s manipulation
Narcissists have a need to control others, and they will often use manipulation to get what they want. However, recognizing and confronting their manipulation can stop them in their tracks.
Narcissists often rely on their charm and manipulation to get what they want from others. You can take away their power and control by recognizing their tactics and not falling for them.
If a narcissist is trying to manipulate you, be aware of their tactics and don’t fall for them. Say no to their demands and tell them you won’t be controlled. This can make them feel powerless, which can cause them to panic.
7) Publicly humiliate them
Narcissists care a lot about their image and reputation and will go to great lengths to maintain their facade of superiority. However, revealing their true nature to the world can make them lose control and panic.
Narcissists often care deeply about their public image and want others to see them as perfect and infallible. By exposing their flaws or bad behavior to others, you can take away their power and control, making them panic as their carefully constructed image begins to crumble.
If a narcissist misbehaves or treats you badly in front of others, don’t be afraid to call them out. Let others know what they are really like, and don’t let them get away with their bad behavior.
This can make them feel ashamed and embarrassed, which can cause them to panic as they struggle to regain control over their tarnished image.
8) Take away their control
Narcissists aim to make you feel unworthy by exerting control over you. However, asserting your independence and focusing on your happiness can leave them feeling powerless.
These individuals often use charm and manipulation to dominate others. You can diminish their power by taking control of your life and refusing to let them influence your actions or emotions.
When dealing with a narcissist, reclaim your autonomy. Don’t let them make you feel bad about yourself or dictate your decisions.
Prioritize your well-being and happiness, preventing them from achieving satisfaction through your suffering. This approach will leave the narcissist feeling powerless and unable to control you.
9) Withhold intense emotional reactions
Narcissists derive satisfaction from provoking others, reveling in the emotional reactions they elicit. However, keeping your emotions in check can counteract their sense of control and even makes narcissists panic.
These individuals often seek to evoke strong emotional responses from their targets. You can undermine their satisfaction and control by remaining composed and not displaying intense emotions.
When a narcissist attempts to provoke you, maintain a calm demeanor and avoid showing extreme emotional reactions.
Deny them the gratification of seeing you upset or angry, as it will only fuel their sense of power. By staying composed and not letting them know they are affecting you, you effectively weaken their influence.
10) Set boundaries and stick to them
Narcissists hate being limited or restricted, often pushing your boundaries to see how far they can go. However, setting clear boundaries and enforcing them can make them feel frustrated and angry.
Narcissists often push boundaries and try to exert control over others. Setting clear limits and sticking to them can remove their control and make them feel powerless.
If a narcissist tries pushing your boundaries, be firm and set clear limits. Let them know what you will and won’t tolerate, and don’t let them push you around. This can make them feel like they are not in control, which can cause them to panic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dealing with a narcissist can be a challenging and frustrating experience. Still, it is important to understand what makes them panic and how to use that to your advantage.
Following the ten tactics outlined in this article can put a narcissist on edge and make them feel threatened. Remember to stay calm, assertive, and in control, and don’t let them get the best of you.