DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender. It is a defense mechanism used by individuals, including those with cluster B personality traits such as sociopathy and narcissism, to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and to shift blame onto others. Let's break down the components of DARVO:
Deny: The first step involves denying any wrongdoing or responsibility for the actions or behaviors in question. This denial can take various forms, such as outright denial, minimizing the impact of their actions, or claiming they were misunderstood or taken out of context.
Attack: The second step involves attacking the person making the accusations or raising concerns. This attack can be done aggressively, emotionally, or through manipulation. The goal is to discredit the person making the claims and shift the focus away from the perpetrator's actions.
Reverse Victim and Offender: In this step, the individual turns the tables and portrays themselves as the victim of the situation. They might claim they are being unfairly targeted, bullied, or treated unjustly by the accuser or others.
Individuals with cluster B personality traits may use DARVO as a way to maintain control, protect their self-image, and avoid facing the consequences of their harmful actions. It serves as a manipulation tactic to undermine the credibility of those who question or criticize their behavior, deflecting attention away from their own problematic actions.
By employing DARVO, these individuals seek to manipulate the narrative, gain sympathy or support from others, and avoid any accountability for their harmful behavior. It can be a challenging tactic to deal with, particularly for those on the receiving end, as it can leave them feeling invalidated and confused.
It's important to remember that while DARVO is a common pattern observed in some individuals with cluster B personality traits, not everyone with these traits engages in this behavior. Additionally, DARVO is not exclusive to any specific personality type and can be employed by individuals with various backgrounds and personalities.