The best way to disarm a narcissist is to be in complete control of your emotions – far easier said than done but it can be done.
There is no doubt that each of us has a narcissist in our life; that person that just can’t seem to see past the end of their nose. While many of us are able to experience the world around us and find a way to deal with the ups and downs handed out, narcissists tend to keep their surroundings very well controlled. Whatever they can’t control they blame others for.
This is what makes narcissists so difficult to work with. Even if you have a good argument and viable solution the narcissist will use his repertoire of ammo to put you down and make you the person at fault. It might be easy to think that we can just drop kick that person and move on with life but sometimes it is far easier said than done.
Narcissists aren’t people we choose to be in our lives they are just there. Quite frankly, sometimes we are stuck with a narcissist and therefore we must learn how to deal with him.
In order to do that, you need to know how to disarm the narcissist to make them a bit more tolerable.
Here are a few ideas to help you do just that…
1. Don’t fall for the temptation to sink to their level.
Narcissists love a good fight and not because they are any good at arguing but they know how to push your buttons. By pushing your buttons you are tempted to verbally protect yourself. The narcissist needs for you to fight back because then you are the one who lost control. You are the bad guy. When he throws the first verbal judo chop it is on you, right? How do you get around that? Be cool. Don’t react to the emotions in the room. If you are not familiar with emotional intelligence get familiar with it. That will be your first defense in disarming your narcissist. It is important that you remain in control of your emotions, as the narcissist will not!
2. Don’t feed the ego.
Surely, you have been to the zoo and see the signs to not feel the “wild” animals? Well, narcissists are much like those encaged wild animals. They seem fine behind a fence and that fence gives you a false sense of security. Don’t be fooled. You don’t feed the zoo animals because they can be quite unpredictable just as much as the narcissist except his “wild” side in his ego. Remember, narcissists have an impressive sense of self and when you throw numerous verbal praises at that ego you empower that unstable weak mind. As you feed his ego, he doesn’t hear praise; he hears how much better he is over you. If you don’t feed the bear, he won’t have the energy to attack your confidence later.
3. Don’t take responsibility for his emotions.
If he is pissed let him be pissed. He will try to make you the martyr for his negative emotions. After a while, it might be a hell of a lot easier to accept that blame because it encourages him to stop but it tears at you from the inside out. Before you know it, you are offering to take the blame for him his emotions by doing everything he wants. Let him get happy in the same pants he got mad in – he will always get over it.
4. Don’t use ultimatums.
No relationship should ever include an ultimatum – it is a form of control, which is why he will use them over and over again. If you don’t like something he is doing or you feel the need to use this to gain control you might have become just as toxic as he is. Remember, your actions and words provide him immediate permission to do the same to you –even if that coin doesn’t flip both ways.
5. Don’t give him negative attention.
Like emotional teenagers, narcissists enjoy attention. Positive attention is great for the narcissist but negative attention is crucial to their ability to hold you accountable. It is the unhealthy part of their thinking. Once you give them that negative attention they will hold it over your head. They need you to give them that negative attention as a means of lashing out and targeting you. If you are the closest person to the narcissist you are the consistent, most reliable target for receiving negative attention. It is this reason the narcissist will work for to make sure you stick around. After all, who else would put up with such…nonsense?
Narcissists rarely take responsibility for their emotions and yet they expect you to be accountable for yours. Your narcissist has worked hard to know what makes you tick, how to push your buttons and then how to convince you to stay. The best way to deal with a narcissist is to be in complete control of your emotions – far easier said than done but it can be done. Give your emotional intelligence a quick look over and figure out how to use that to control yourself. The most important trick to disarming the narcissist is to control your emotions. Once you do that, you remove much of his
The best way to deal with a narcissist is to be in complete control of your emotions – far easier said than done but it can be done. Give your emotional intelligence a quick look over and figure out how to use that to control yourself. The most important trick to disarming the narcissist is to control your emotions. Once you do that, you remove much of his armor and he is left to his own devices – which he knows the least about.
You can do it!
FAQs About Narcissists:
Is it difficult to work with a narcissist?
Irrespective of your role, a narcissist will blame you for everything that has gone wrong—which makes it difficult to work with a narcissist. A narcissist will want to keep everything under his tight control, and would blame others if he cannot do so. A narcissist will shoot down your best proposal or oppose the most relevant argument to make you look worthless at work.
How to deal with a narcissist?
Narcissists are known to be masters at the art of manipulation. So the first thing you should do to deal with a narcissist is to learn to control your emotions. That way you would be able to make his most potent weapon—pushing your buttons to play with your emotions—useless, and beat the urge to fight back. A narcissist will deliberately make you lose control so he could accuse you of having started the whole thing.
Should I praise a narcissist?
Don’t praise a narcissist for it will only add to his grandiose delusions. Feeding his fragile ego with praise will empower his weak mind, which is only going to make him believe that he is so much better than you. `
How to treat a narcissist when he is pissed at you?
You don’t treat a narcissist when he is pissed at you; you should let him deal with his own anger. Mostly, narcissists are pissed at you because they can’t process their negative emotions. If you try to take blame for his negative emotions, you will end up doing anything he wants.
Do narcissists enjoy attention?
Narcissists are creatures that feed on attention. They love positive attention like teenagers and make use of negative attention like a professional at work. A narcissist would need you to give him negative attention so he could lash out at you and hold you accountable. If you happen to be a narcissist’s spouse, you are the source of negative attention for the narcissist.
Are narcissists good at controlling emotions?
A narcissist thinks he is always right in expressing his emotions even if it means a barrage of verbal attacks against you. You, on the other hand, should not make a fumble or else you will be held accountable. Narcissists deliberately push your buttons to upset you and then take advantage of the situation.
Polly says
Wish my son would read this and free himself from the poisonous life that is inflicted on him and his kids
Steven Hoog says
Criticism kills relationships. Even you’re criticizing him justifiably. Remember to join in love for he is not in his right mind. If he were he wouldn’t do it.
Michelle says
Great round up. Well stated and very powerful. The only thing i would challenge is the utltimatums. While generally they dont work with a narc and he/she will deliberately push that boundary. I have established a no mistreatment ultimatum with my narc. He gets shut down and shut out when he behaves badly. This does drive him nuts, he doesnt take responsibility, he blames and spins for a period of time. Sometimes he apologizes, but not always but the consquence is that he gets no contact/attention from me. I wish i didnt have to deal with him like this, but he is the father of my children and I’ve had to heal and grow my own emotional strength. I know he can control his behavior because he does not mistreat our children, only me. I am his narcissistic supply.
Michelle says
I love this advice and, as hard as it is, I am going to try my hardest not to react to his abuse and go “gray rock.” He even admitted recently he pushes and tests me.
It’s taken about a year of living with him as his wife and after hours of research to realise what he is. A very damaged individual!!
I gave up everything, my life, my job and even moving countries to be with him. I feel isolated and alone but am a strong woman and will survive this.
Wafah says
This article is useless
Tara says
Tell me why you believe that is, Wafah? What would you change or what has worked for you?
Shana says
You are not alone. He has no real power over you. He only thinks he does. Take back your power, pray for strength, meditate and when the time is right – exit. It took me a year to build up the courage but you can do it.
Jennifer Roberts says
Where do I go from here. Been married to one for 17 years. He has done it all and tried to blame me. Drugs. Alcohol. Had toxic friends left me home alone with kids. Recently on our wedding anniversary found out he has been given money to another woman and let her kiss him. How much more am I supposed to deal with. Told him tired of it all and going to college at 41 and leaving. Not divorced yet but might be. Please help.
DivorcedMoms Editor says
Divorce him! Why haven’t you already?