DO NARCISSISTS MANIPULATE DELIBERATELY?

YES, NARCISSISTS MANIPULATE DELIBERATELY AS A MEANS TO FULFILL THEIR INSATIABLE DESIRE FOR VALIDATION AND CONTROL. THEIR BEHAVIOR IS DRIVEN BY A DEEP-SEATED INSECURITY AND A CONSTANT NEED FOR EXTERNAL VALIDATION. BY MANIPULATING OTHERS, THEY ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A SENSE OF POWER AND SUPERIORITY OVER THOSE AROUND THEM. THIS BEHAVIOR IS OFTEN A RESULT OF UNRESOLVED CHILDHOOD TRAUMA OR A LACK OF EMPATHY TOWARDS OTHERS.

Narcissists do not limit their need for attention to just their closest relationships. They see everyone as a potential target. They are particularly drawn to kind, empathetic individuals whom they gradually break down over time by crossing boundaries. Narcissists are opportunists who will manipulate anyone they believe they can benefit from, feeling entitled to do so. They employ a mix of subtle and extreme manipulative techniques, using charm and anger to establish and maintain control over their victims.

If their manipulation causes harm to others, they do not care. If a victim confronts them and inadvertently shames them, they will respond with vicious and slanderous actions like smear campaigns, false accusations, and shaming. Unlike most people, narcissists do not feel guilt or remorse.

Narcissists are solely focused on receiving the attention they crave. Their entire existence revolves around obtaining enough narcissistic supply to ensure they receive the attention and admiration they desire. They do not even require positive attention; negative attention also fuels their need for validation.

The manipulation begins as soon as they select a target, and no one is safe - not their partners, children, parents, siblings, friends, colleagues, bosses, or even strangers.

Narcissists are adept manipulators who know how to control and use people for their own benefit. Unfortunately, most individuals do not realize they have been manipulated until it is too late.

Narcissists employ numerous Machiavellian manipulation tactics, such as:

• Idealization: Showering you with praise to groom you, especially at the start of a relationship.

• Devaluing: Making you feel worthless on purpose.

• Denial: Refusing to acknowledge their behavior and combining it with other manipulative tactics.

• Gaslighting: Using psychological abuse to make you doubt your reality.

• Playing the Victim: Pretending to be the victim to gain sympathy.

• Triangulation: Involving others to upset you and maintain control.

• Guilt-tripping: Making you feel guilty to fulfill unreasonable demands.

• Aggression: Using intimidation to control through fear.

• Love-bombing: Overwhelming you with affection at the beginning of a relationship.

• Smear Campaigns: Portraying you as unstable to others.

• Silence: Bullying and causing doubt and uncertainty.

• Verbal trickery: Confusing and degrading you.

• Targeting: Exploiting your weaknesses to destabilize you.

• Pathological lying: Lying to gain an advantage over you.

• Projection: Blaming you for their negative actions.

• Intimidation: Keeping you fearful and on edge.

• Singling out the victim: Undermining your confidence to make you vulnerable.

• Moving the goalposts: Confusing and humiliating you.

• Subtle flattery: Gaining your trust.

• Mirroring: Pretending to share your beliefs and values.

• Judging and Criticizing: Making you feel inadequate.

• Utilizing the Law of Reciprocity: Being nice to obligate you to do favors.

• Pity: Eliciting pity to divert attention from their negative behaviors.

• Managing down of expectations: Lowering your expectations to benefit themselves.

• Hope: Giving you hope to lower your defenses.

These manipulations are intricate and designed to create a power imbalance between the narcissist and the victim, serving the narcissist's agenda. It is important to recognize these manipulative tactics in order to protect oneself from falling victim to a narcissist's agenda. By understanding how they manage down expectations and offer false hope, individuals can better safeguard their own well-being and maintain a sense of autonomy. It is crucial to set boundaries and not allow oneself to be manipulated into a power imbalance that serves only the narcissist's interests.