Gaslighting is an insidious tactic common among narcissists, especially covert narcissists. It often involves twisting partial truths to make you question yourself. It’s icky, but if you’re ready to shut it down, write “shut them down” in the comments below.
Another game they play is projection: accusing you of what they themselves are doing. It’s confusing, but it’s a classic tactic where they shift blame to keep you off balance. When they’re caught in a lie, diversion is another go-to; they’ll redirect the conversation to how you said something, your tone, or even what you were wearing—anything to avoid the real topic.
Then there’s triangulation, where they bring in third parties to support their view or to isolate and demean you, making you feel alone. They might say things like, “Everyone else thinks this about you,” to create an “army” against you, even if these people aren’t actually involved.
Finally, narcissists love playing the victim, especially covert narcissists. They may act like they’re suffering because of you, manipulating you into feeling guilty. They’ll say things like, “No one loves me” or “You don’t take care of me,” turning every issue into a narrative where they’re the helpless victim.
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