When you express your feelings to a narcissist, their response can vary depending on the individual and the specific situation. Here are some common ways narcissists might respond:
Invalidation and Dismissal: Narcissists may dismiss or invalidate your feelings, belittling your emotions or making you feel like your concerns are unwarranted or unimportant.
Defensiveness: If your feelings involve criticism or feedback about their behavior, narcissists might become defensive. They may deflect blame onto you, deny any wrongdoing, or turn the conversation around to focus on your perceived flaws.
Gaslighting: Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic where the narcissist denies your reality or memory of events. They might try to make you doubt your feelings or the accuracy of your emotions, making you question yourself.
Minimization: Narcissists might downplay the significance of your feelings, making you feel like what you're experiencing isn't a big deal or isn't worth addressing.
Shifting Focus: When confronted with your feelings, a narcissist might shift the focus onto themselves and their own problems, seeking attention or sympathy for their issues instead.
Disinterest or Lack of Empathy: Narcissists may show little genuine interest in your emotions or demonstrate a lack of empathy. They might seem indifferent to your feelings or fail to provide the emotional support you need.
Manipulation and Guilt-Tripping: In some cases, narcissists may use your emotions against you to manipulate or guilt-trip you into getting what they want. They might exploit your vulnerabilities to maintain control over the situation.
Love Bombing: If they sense that you are pulling away or becoming less invested in the relationship due to unaddressed emotions, some narcissists might resort to "love bombing." They may excessively praise or shower you with attention to reel you back in.
Ignoring or Silent Treatment: Instead of engaging with your emotions, a narcissist may choose to ignore your feelings altogether or give you the silent treatment as a way to punish or manipulate you.
Rage and Anger: Expressing your emotions might trigger narcissistic rage in some individuals, leading to explosive outbursts or intense anger aimed at intimidating or silencing you.
It's essential to recognize that healthy relationships involve open communication, empathy, and mutual respect for each other's feelings. If you consistently encounter negative or harmful responses when expressing your emotions to a narcissist, it may be an indication of a toxic relationship that warrants further consideration and, in some cases, professional support.