As fun as narcissists can sometimes be, especially at the beginning of your time with them, things almost never end on good terms. Narcissists are individuals who crave power and attention to the extent that they only value what others can provide for them.
When those resources run out, or when the relationship starts to demand balance, they often flee—sometimes without even informing you. While being blocked by a narcissist probably isn’t something you should feel bad about, it’s difficult for most of us to ignore the lack of courtesy they show when cutting you off.
Today, we’ll explore why narcissists use the silent treatment as a form of punishment and delve into the “narcissist blocking game.” Stick around for reason number 2—it’s particularly bizarre!
Number 8: They feel their grasp on you slipping.
Being in a relationship with a narcissist is vastly different from a standard neurotypical relationship. Narcissists can be extremely possessive—both with friends and romantic partners—which often strains the relationship. Unlike neurotypical individuals, narcissists rarely consider others’ feelings.
They seek constant attention, praise, and adoration. When this validation wanes, narcissists tend to lash out. If they’re especially upset, they may give you the silent treatment. Why? Because a narcissist believes that when they finally unblock you, you’ll come running back, apologizing for everything. Blocking, for them, is often a strategy to regain attention and control. They think it will make you fear losing them and discourage you from testing boundaries.
Narcissists aren’t interested in what most neurotypical people perceive as a normal, trusting relationship. To them, a relationship feels like it’s failing when they lose control—even though, in reality, it could mean you’re building trust and equality.
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Number 7: To punish you.
Narcissists struggle with expressing their emotions, often resorting to bitter resentment. Unlike neurotypical individuals, they hyper-focus on perceived mistakes instead of letting them go with compassion. This fixation can lead to being blocked without even knowing what you did wrong.
Emotionally fragile, narcissists lash out at anything—intentional or not—that threatens their image. If they block you as a form of punishment, avoid indulging this behavior. Engaging with them only reinforces that their actions achieve the desired effect.
Narcissists judge relationships through the lens of social status and won’t hesitate to hurt you to make a point. Blocking is part of their devaluation process—a more extreme version of the silent treatment.
Number 6: To reject you.
This often occurs early in a relationship with a narcissist. If they sense that you’re not as invested in them as they expect, or if they feel they lack control over you, they may block you.
For them, blocking serves two purposes: it establishes their stance and forces you to seek an explanation, while also protecting them from emotional harm. Narcissists see themselves through others’ perceptions and avoid any reflection they deem negative. Blocking you can feel like a way to shield themselves from vulnerability.
Number 5: They’ve found another source.
Narcissists can resemble addicts in their pursuit of validation. They may care about your time, attention, and care—but not about you as a whole.
If you’ve been blocked, there’s a chance they’ve found someone else to fulfill their need for attention. Narcissists rarely act for the greater good, and they may leave without explanation. Sometimes, they even return later to see if they can extract attention from multiple sources. However, it’s common for them to cut ties while establishing new connections.
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Number 4: To erase you forever.
People often wonder, “How long will a narcissist block me?”—but there’s rarely a clear answer. If you’ve seen their darker side, it might have been enough for them to cut ties. Narcissists view people in black-and-white terms: either all good or all bad.
In the early stages of a relationship, narcissists often seem fun and caring. This is because they are initially impressed by you. Over time, however, they devalue you to exert control, distorting their perception of the relationship.
Once they see you as “all bad,” they may block you permanently, believing it’s the best way to move forward. They may also block you if they realize you’ve seen past their façade, as this undermines their control.
Number 3: To make you look like the bad guy.
Narcissists prioritize public perception and may block you to control the narrative, painting you as the unreasonable one. This tactic is especially common during breakups.
It’s important to take the high road in these situations. Engaging in debates with a narcissist often backfires, as they don’t process emotions the way most people do. While they may move on to someone else, ensure their narrative about you doesn’t align with any truths.
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Number 2: They think they can “level up” by doing so.
Narcissists often view relationships as social currency. When they perceive an opportunity to “upgrade,” they may cut ties without hesitation.
Narcissists are drawn to traits they can exploit, such as humor, attractiveness, or charisma. Long-term connections rarely compare to the excitement of new ones, leading narcissists to abandon old relationships for the thrill of novelty.
Number 1: You don’t fit into their life plan.
Narcissists are often ambitious and seek power, particularly in the workplace. When they encounter stagnation, they may blame those around them—including you.
In such cases, they may claim you’re too demanding or insufficiently adventurous, using these as excuses to block you. However, this behavior reflects their inability to communicate effectively.
Being blocked by a narcissist can be painful, but it often says more about their insecurities than your shortcomings.
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