Dealing with a narcissist in a relationship can be a challenging experience. They are often self-absorbed, manipulative, and lack empathy towards others. However, when a narcissist realizes they have lost you, their behavior can become even more extreme. In this article, we will explore what happens when a narcissist realizes they lost you and how you can deal with it.
Denial
When a narcissist realizes they have lost you, their first reaction is often denial. They may refuse to accept the fact that the relationship is over and may try to convince you to come back to them. They may also make excuses for their behavior and blame you for the problems in the relationship.
Anger
If denial doesn’t work, the narcissist may become angry. They may lash out at you verbally or physically and try to make you feel guilty for leaving them. They may also try to sabotage your new relationships or spread rumors about you to damage your reputation. It’s important to stay safe and seek help if necessary.
Grief
After the denial and anger stages, the narcissist may enter a phase of grief. They may feel deep sadness and loss, but this is often only because they have lost their source of narcissistic supply. They may try to use sympathy to manipulate you into coming back to them, but it’s important to recognize that their grief is not genuine.
Hoovering
One of the most common tactics that a narcissist will use when they realize they have lost you is hoovering. This is when they try to suck you back into the relationship by being overly nice, sending gifts, or making grand gestures. However, it’s important to remember that this is just another manipulation tactic and not a genuine attempt at reconciliation.
Triangulation
Another tactic that a narcissist may use when they realize they have lost you is triangulation. This is when they try to make you jealous by dating someone else or by talking about their new partner in front of you. They may also use this as an opportunity to smear your reputation and make you look bad.
The Silent Treatment
One way that a narcissist may try to regain control when they realize they have lost you is by giving you the silent treatment. They may ignore your calls and messages, refuse to speak to you, or give you the cold shoulder. This is another manipulation tactic that is designed to make you feel anxious and unsure of yourself.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a tactic that a narcissist may use when they realize they have lost you. This is when they try to make you doubt your own memory and perception of events by telling you that you are crazy or that you are remembering things wrong. They may also deny things that they said or did, or blame you for their behavior.
How to Deal with a Narcissist Who Has Lost You
Dealing with a narcissist who has lost you can be difficult, but there are some things that you can do to protect yourself and move on:
- Set boundaries and stick to them. Don’t let the narcissist manipulate you into doing things that you don’t want to do.
- Get support from friends, family, or a therapist. It’s important to have a support system to help you deal with the emotional fallout of the relationship.
- Avoid contact with the narcissist as much as possible. This may mean blocking them on social media, changing your phone number, or moving away.
- Focus on your own healing and growth. Take time to care for yourself and do things that make you feel happy and fulfilled.
Conclusion
When a narcissist realizes they have lost you, they may go through a range of emotions and use various tactics to try to regain control. It’s important to recognize these behaviors for what they are – manipulation tactics – and protect yourself accordingly. Remember to set boundaries, seek support, and focus on your own healing and growth.