6. They try to shatter your self-esteem.
Are narcissists naturally confident? Psychological well-being is greatly dependent on self-esteem. A person with low self-esteem may become timid, feel worthless, or even become a narcissist. Contrary to their outward display of grandiosity and confidence, narcissists have low levels of self-esteem.
So to feel better about themselves, they would often try to pull others down. An abusive narcissist may slowly chip at an empath’s confidence. Once they have done enough damage, their victim would be easier to control and exploit. Empaths must be wary of these attacks. They can be as simple as a small snide remark or as grave as outright emotional and/or verbal abuse.
Learn to shield yourself from these behaviors by giving their opinion little to no value. Make sure your worth is not tied to whatever others may think or feel about you. If self-esteem can be destroyed, then it can surely be rebuilt. Make sure your confidence comes from within by knowing who you are and being proud of it.
5. They act out aggressively.
Have you ever criticized a narcissist? Being criticized or having your mistakes pointed out can be hard to swallow. Regular folk might get defensive or offended. For a narcissist, negative feedback has doubled or tripled the effect. When narcissists aren’t treated specially, experts say, their poor capacity to empathize with others, as well as their sense of being immune from certain rules and social standards, can lead to aggressiveness.
Because they are obsessed with maintaining their inflated self-image, they tend to overreact to even the slightest criticism attacking the source instead of fixing the problem. This can be dangerous for those involved as it can lead to aggression or even acts of violence. If a narcissist begins to act aggressively or violently against you, get out of the situation as quickly as possible and contact someone who can assist you. This can keep you physically and mentally safe.
Lundy Bancroft: Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men.
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