In relationships where narcissism is present, fear often becomes a silent partner, lurking in the background, shaping behavior, and governing reactions. Many people in these relationships might not realize the extent to which fear runs the show. If you’re wondering how fear, rather than love or connection, can hold a relationship together, let’s take a closer look.
The Invisible Bond: Fear as Superglue
Often, we see love as the strongest connector in a relationship, but fear can create an even more powerful, albeit toxic, bond. It’s not always about being terrified in an obvious way—it’s the anxiety around what might happen if you “slip up” or say something “wrong.” Maybe you’re thinking, I’m not afraid; they can’t hurt me. But fear here is subtle. It’s not necessarily a terror of direct physical harm (though that can be present in more extreme cases); it’s about the unpredictable, the edge-of-your-seat tension.
You find yourself walking on eggshells, hyper-aware of their moods. It becomes second nature to prioritize their needs, not because they asked directly but because the fallout of not doing so feels too high a price.
Constant Manipulation Through Fear
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