How Narcissists React When Emotionally Hurt: A Guide for Understanding Their Behavior

When you emotionally hurt a narcissist, their reaction can be intense and potentially dangerous. Unlike people with healthy emotional responses, narcissists do not handle disappointment or criticism well. Here’s a guide to understanding how they might react and what you can do to protect yourself.

Intense Anger and Aggression

If you hurt a narcissist emotionally, they may react with intense anger or rage. This can manifest in several ways:

Lashing Out Physically or Verbally: They may try to hurt you back or undermine your confidence through hostile comments. Playing the Victim: Many narcissists will become extremely defensive, deny any wrongdoing, and play the victim to elicit sympathy. This is more about their need to maintain control and protect their ego, rather than genuine empathy. Spreading False Information: Some narcissists may launch a smear campaign to hurt others. For example, they might spread rumors or badmouth you to your friends, employers, or even professional contacts.

Unpredictable Behavior

Their reactions can be highly unpredictable and may even become violent. This unpredictability is due to their lack of emotional stability. They might appear calm one moment and then erupt into an aggressive outburst the next. This can be especially dangerous when money is involved, as their need to maintain control and financial resources can drive their behavior.

Protecting Yourself

Knowing how to protect yourself from a narcissist is crucial in these situations. Here are some precautions and steps to take:

Avoid Meeting Alone: Never meet with them alone if your gut tells you that you could be in great danger. Their unpredictability and potential for violence make it risky. Be Cautious with Food and Health: If the narcissist is a medical person, avoid eating their food. They might use this as a tool to manipulate or harm you. Also, be wary of ingesting anything unfamiliar, as they might have hidden poisons. Keep Valuables Safe: Store all of your valuables in a money belt. Make sure they cannot hide your car keys, cellphone, IDs, or other important things. Stay Connected: Communicate with other loved ones in the household using phone and Facechats. Use the support of others to prevent isolation and protect yourself if the narcissist restricts your mobility. Seek Support and Professional Help: If you are seriously injured, understand that it can harm your family and increase your medical bills. You might not be able to afford the expenses and be a caregiver to your family at the same time.

Conclusion

When you emotionally hurt a narcissist, their reaction is often not subtle. Some may even become physically violent, while others may implement a smear campaign to hurt you. Their immaturity and need to regain control make them react aggressively and manipulatively. To protect yourself, it’s essential to stay alert, safe, and connected to trustworthy networks.

Related Reading

What is Gaslighting?
Understanding the 4 Types of Gaslighting You Should Know The Art of Dealing with Narcissists
9 Ways Narcissists Abuse Your Kindness, 7 Ways You Can Outsmart a Narcissist, 7 Ways Narcissists Try to Punish You, 8 Things Narcissists Do to Get Under Your Skin Strategies for Emotional Safety
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