Narcissists are inherently selfish, and your illness will be no exception. Rather than considering your discomfort, they’ll focus on how your inability to cater to their needs impacts them. You might hear complaints like, “How could you leave me to handle everything?” or “Why aren’t you doing more around the house?” as if your illness is a personal affront to them.
In some cases, they may even act as though they’re the true victim of your illness, framing the situation as something that’s happening to them.
3. Extreme Irritability
A narcissist’s irritability often spikes when you’re unable to attend to their needs. They might become impatient, aggressive, or outright cruel. Expect comments such as “How long will you be sick?” or “You’re being dramatic,” reflecting their frustration at not being the center of attention. Your illness is simply an inconvenience they want to rid themselves of as quickly as possible.
4. Gaslighting
Narcissists are notorious gaslighters, and this behavior won’t change when you’re unwell. They may accuse you of exaggerating your symptoms or even suggest you’re faking it to gain sympathy. The goal of gaslighting is to invalidate your experience, leaving you feeling confused and doubting the severity of your own illness. The message is clear: your feelings don’t matter.
5. Pretending to Care
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