7. They change the subject!
The goal of narcissists is to avoid being held responsible for anything. Accusing them of inappropriate behavior? They’ll draw attention to an error you made seven years ago. “What about the time when…” is usually a common opening for this kind of diversion, which has no time or subject matter restrictions.
What can you do? Redirect the conversation to the point where you explained why their behavior bothers you and how you intend to address the issue.
Dear M.G.,
Great, helpful article. If your true mission is narcissist awareness, please consider changing one of the two stock images in the article to that of a man gaslighting a woman. It is a stereotype that women are controlling over men and their husbands, but the scenario can also be flipped with the woman being put under narcissistic abuse in a familial or romantic relationship with a male identifying person. Please consider bringing awareness to narcissistic personality disorder being possible in both men and women. Would you consider making the first of the two stock photos in the article the one depicting a male with NPD and a female victim of the abuse to help correct this cultural misconception between gender and NPD. This could help so many women not talk themselves out of identifying a person in their lives with NPD!!
Thank you for sending this email about narcissism. Sadly a close female family member is married to a narcissist. She is so battered that she doesn’t realize how entrenched she is in toxic relationship. She knows she’s unhappy but has no fight left in her. She won’t confide in me anymore because he has poisoned her against me. Again thank you so much for this advice