Are you still up for number six? Feigning forgetfulness. Narcissists often pretend to forget things they’ve said or done, like meaningful conversations or promises they made. This leaves you in a situation where you’re left wondering if you misremembered or overreacted. The narcissist might even act surprised when you bring up something important, subtly turning the tables to make you seem like you’re the one with the problem. As therapist Dr. Sher Campbell puts it, narcissists use forgetfulness as a way to avoid accountability for their actions while making their victims question their sanity. This tactic creates doubt in your mind and can make you second-guess your perceptions and memories. It’s like a constant cycle of trying to hold on to the truth while they distort it. Over time, you might feel you can’t trust yourself or your experiences. Narcissists intentionally do this, using confusion to control the narrative. Dr. Carol McBride, in her book Will I Ever Be Free of You?, explains that feigning forgetfulness is a way for narcissists to manipulate their victims into thinking they are the ones at fault, eroding their confidence and making them more compliant. Ultimately, it leaves you questioning everything, which is what they want.
Finally, we’re down to number seven: Spying or stalking. Spying or stalking is a frightening tactic narcissists use to maintain control over their victims by monitoring their every move. They may track your phone, check your social media, or even follow you around without you knowing. This behavior is meant to make you feel paranoid and unsafe, creating a constant sense of dread about what they’ll do next. It’s a way for them to assert dominance and keep you on edge. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula explains, the narcissist needs to keep tabs on you to feel in control, using spying or stalking as a tool to manipulate your actions and emotions. The worst part is that this behavior can make you feel trapped, as if there’s no way to escape their watchful eyes, even when you’re not doing anything wrong. They twist it into something that justifies their control, creating a toxic environment where you feel like you’re being constantly judged and monitored. Author and therapist Dr. Christina Hibbert explains that narcissists’ spying can be an invasion of privacy meant to break down your autonomy, making you feel like you’re always under their thumb. It’s about instilling fear, not just to isolate you but to maintain that psychological grip on your life. It leaves you uncertain and afraid to act freely.
In conclusion, recognizing the psychological traps narcissists use is the first step in breaking free from their control. It’s important to remember that you’re not crazy and you don’t have to stay stuck in their web. Once you spot these tactics, you can start setting boundaries and protecting yourself. It might take time and a bit of courage, but you have the power to take back control of your life. Don’t let anyone make you doubt your worth or manipulate your reality. You deserve respect, clarity, and peace of mind. Remember these traps, stay strong, and know that you’ve got this!
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