What a narcissist thinks during silent treatment?

The narcissist's goal with the silent treatment is to get you to think you are in the wrong, apologize, and then all blame is on you. They have effectively created a scenario where you have taken the blame while they sit back and wait for you to come to them.

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What does the narcissist want from silent treatment?

The Purpose of the Silent Treatment

Essentially, the point of the silent treatment is to make the victim feel confused, stressed, guilty, ashamed, not good enough, or unstable enough so that they would do what the manipulator wants.

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How does silent treatment affect a narcissist?

By going stone-cold silent on their victims, narcissists retain the upper hand in the relationship. In this particular case, they'll use the lack of communication as a form of punishment and therefore make their already downtrodden victims feel even more powerless, insignificant, and invisible.

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How do you respond to a narcissist's silent treatment?

Tell the person how the silent treatment hurts and leaves you feeling frustrated and alone. That's not what you want or need in a relationship. Explain that you can't resolve issues this way, then be specific about those issues. If this sort of behavior is a relationship deal-breaker for you, state it plainly.

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Do narcissists come back after silent treatment?

More often, the narcissist will go silent for some period of time, and then return as if nothing happened. They may have found a new source of supply but had a falling out with them and now they need something from you. Your best bet is to ignore them the way they ignored you earlier.

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Narcissists and the Silent Treatment

38 related questions found

Does ignoring a narcissist bother them?

Simply put, narcissists hate being ignored. They probably want to make you feel ashamed, regretful, and rattled. They want to be in control and will go to any length to keep feeling empowered. It's critical to understand that a narcissist will not leave you alone the first time you ignore them.

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How do you know the narcissist has moved on?

30 Signs that a narcissist is finished with you
  • The narcissist no longer hides their true colors. ...
  • You feel the change. ...
  • The narcissist will no longer give you love bombs. ...
  • They are constantly irritated with you. ...
  • The narcissist ignores everything you say. ...
  • They criticize you. ...
  • They are always distant. ...
  • A narcissist will gaslight you.

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How do you break a narcissist's heart?

12 Ways to Break a Narcissist's Heart
  1. 1 Ignore their forms of manipulation.
  2. 2 Flaunt how happy you are without them.
  3. 3 Set boundaries to protect yourself.
  4. 4 Deny them what they want.
  5. 5 Stay calm when they try to upset you.
  6. 6 Cut off all contact with them if you can.
  7. 7 Be leery of future love bombing.

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What type of person gives the silent treatment?

Avoidance: In some cases, people stay silent in a conversation because they do not know what to say or want to avoid conflict. Communication: A person may use the silent treatment if they do not know how to express their feelings but want their partner to know that they are upset.

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How long can a narcissist go without talking to you?

The narcissist can go for weeks without speaking to you, with the implication being that you need them more than they need you. You will be the one to beg for forgiveness and acquiesce to their demands. Sometimes the silent treatment never ends.

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Why does a narcissist go quiet?

Being silent is a narcissist's desperate attempt to rekindle attention from you that was provided at the beginning of the relationship. Sometimes it works, but for those of us who've caught on to all the lies and deception, it's just kind of funny, infuriating, but funny.

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What happens when ignoring a narcissist?

If you ignore a narcissist and deny them their source, they may become enraged and try even harder for your attention – especially in ways that can be toxic or abusive. Ignoring a narcissist will enrage them because of their fragile egos. They'll feel humiliated and lash out against you to protect themselves.

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How long does narcissist silent treatment last?

The silent treatment can last for hours, days, weeks or months. Some people do this because they are genuinely hurt and unable to speak. When they do feel able to talk, it'll be a two-way conversation. A narcissist uses the silent treatment to punish you.

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How do you make a narcissist fear you?

17 Ways to Make a Narcissist Really Afraid of You
  1. Don't give them your attention. These attention-seekers will do anything to be noticed. ...
  2. Starve them of empathy. ...
  3. Show strength and confidence. ...
  4. Ignore them. ...
  5. Set and enforce boundaries. ...
  6. Challenge them. ...
  7. Implement consequences. ...
  8. Expose their narcissism.

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Is silent treatment narcissistic rage?

Narcissistic rage and the silent treatment frequently accompany one another; the silence puts them back in a position of control. What is this? By remaining silent, the narcissist doesn't need to explain themselves, work through problems, or see your side of the conflict.

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Can narcissists stand your silent treatment?

If narcissists don't get their way, they love to give people the silent treatment. This is very effective that makes the loved one distressed. They'll react negatively to not receiving the attention or love they are addicted to getting from the narcissist.

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How do you respond to silent treatment?

Even though the perpetrator of silent treatment will make you believe so, you're not to blame for their behavior. So, shake off the blame and focus on healing yourself. The impact of such forms of abuse is often hard to identify but very deep. Seek the help you need, work toward healing yourself.

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Why silent treatment is the best revenge?

Silence speaks volumes

The best revenge is no reaction. Believe it, the silence and zero reaction really bothers your ex, and they consider it as the best served revenge. Nothing creates more curiosity than silence. Your ex would expect a vent or an angry rant from you, but don't give in.

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How powerful is silent treatment?

Findings from his in-depth analysis revealed that the silent treatment is 'tremendously' damaging to a relationship. It decreases relationship satisfaction for both partners, diminishes feelings of intimacy, and reduces the capacity to communicate in a way that's healthy and meaningful.

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How do you beat a narcissist in his own game?

How to Beat a Narcissist at Their Own Game
  1. Recognize and Acknowledge the Abuse. A relationship with a narcissist often has a façade of normality. ...
  2. Don't Stoop to Their Level. Narcissists thrive on drama. ...
  3. Don't React to Their Abusive Tactics. Your reaction is exactly what they want. ...
  4. Remain Mindful of Your Needs and Emotions.

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Can you emotionally hurt a narcissist?

Narcissists can feel emotional pain, but not usually in the same way as others. The emotional pain they may feel is usually related to underlying selfish needs. Underneath the displays of superiority and sense of entitlement, they often feel empty, powerless, and shameful, which they perceive as weakness.

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How do you know if a narcissist loves you?

If a narcissist is interested in you, you might notice that they shower you with admiration and attention shortly after you meet them. They might be quick to say “I love you,” put you on a pedestal, and make grand romantic gestures.

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Will a narcissist let you move on?

Many won't let you go, even when they are the ones who left the relationship, and even when they're with a new partner. They won't accept “no.” They hoover in an attempt to rekindle the relationship or stay friends after a breakup or divorce.

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How does a narcissist leave you feeling?

After the break-up, people will experience an obsessive longing for their abusive partner (drug), debilitating emotional pain, and often engage in self-destructive behavior. This emotional response is why some people feel incapacitated by the hurt and obsess about hooking up with an ex-partner for more abuse.

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How do you know when a narcissist is about to discard you?

The clearest sign of a discard is when they leave. Narcissists stop contacting you, and there is no explanation. Narcissistic ghosting is a push-pull game, where they push you away, hoping you'll pull back. Ghosting also occurs because narcissists have usually found a new supply or are busy hunting for one.

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