Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you say “no” to a man, only to feel like you’ve just committed the greatest crime in the universe? That’s not your conscience speaking—it’s the toxic manipulation of the narcissist at work. You see, narcissistic men have this disturbing talent for making you feel guilty for even setting boundaries. They twist your words, they play with your emotions, and they make you question your own judgment. It’s a game they play, and it’s one of the worst forms of emotional abuse. Here are 15 ways they do it, and why it’s so devastating.

1. They Make You Feel Selfish
   Narcissistic men will often try to convince women that setting boundaries is inherently selfish. They’ll tell you that you’re only thinking about yourself and neglecting their needs. The truth? You’re allowed to prioritize yourself. Your needs are important.
2. They Use Silence as a Weapon
   When you tell them no, they’ll stay silent. It’s not because they need time to think—it’s a power play. They’ll make you feel like saying no was a huge mistake, leaving you feeling guilty until you give in.
3. They reframe “no” as rejection
   To a narcissist, saying “no” doesn’t just mean “no.” It’s seen as a personal attack. They’ll convince you that saying no means saying no to them as a person. Which? That’s simply not true.
4. They trick you into doubting your decision
   Narcissists are masters of manipulation. They’ll twist your words and actions until you question your sense of right and wrong. They’ll make you wonder if you overreacted, or if maybe they had a point in making you feel guilty.
5. They paint you as the “bad guy”
   When you set boundaries, they’ll make sure everyone around you knows how “unreasonable” you are. Their goal is to make you feel isolated and wrong while they play the victim. The worst part? People may actually start to believe them.
6. They Make You Feel Like You Owe Them Everything
   Narcissists will often say, “After all I’ve done for you, the least you could do is…” As such, your rejection feels like a betrayal. They’ll make you feel guilty and make you feel grateful to them, even for the things they did with their own self-interest in mind.
7. They Call You “Overdramatic”
   In the world of narcissistic men, any boundaries you set are an overreaction. They’ll make you feel like the overly emotional one, and they’ll flip the roles so that you wonder if you’re being too harsh or unreasonable.
8. They Play the Victim
   They’ll say things like, “Why do you hate me so much?” or “I guess I’m not important enough to you.” They’ll put themselves in the position of a long-suffering martyr, forcing you to feel guilty for your perfectly valid rejection.
9. They Use Guilt as a Manipulative Tool
   Narcissists know how to use guilt to get what they want. They might say something like, “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t say no.” At this point, they’re not talking about love—they’re talking about control.
10. They make you feel like you’re not doing enough
    Once you set boundaries, narcissists will tell you that you’re not doing enough. “I always do things for you, and all I ask for is this one thing.” What they don’t realize is that you don’t owe them anything beyond mutual respect.
11. They make you fear their reactions
    Sometimes, it’s not what they say, it’s how they react. You’ll see their disappointment or anger, and it makes you feel like you’ve done something unforgivable. Fear of their reactions can make even the most confident woman doubt herself.
12. They present their needs as non-negotiable
    Narcissists will present their needs as absolute truths, making you feel like there’s no room for negotiation. They’ll act as if any rejection is a personal attack on their very existence, making it difficult for you to even say “no” in the first place.
13. They Pretend to “Understand” Your Boundaries, But They Don’t

They’ll act like they understand your reasons for saying “no,” but deep down, they just want to wear you down until you give in. They’ll act nice for a while, only to revert to their manipulative behavior when they sense you’re weakening.

Related :; 20 Signs You Might Be a Narcissistic Man (Without Realizing It)

14. They Never Acknowledge Your Boundaries Until It’s Too Late

You may have set boundaries that should have been respected, but they’ll ignore them—until it’s convenient for them to use your refusal against you. Then, it becomes the ammunition they need to guilt you into submission.

15. They Pretend They Don’t Understand Boundaries
    Narcissistic men often claim they “don’t understand” boundaries. They’ll tell you that they’ve never had a partner who did that before. It’s an excuse to make you feel like you’re the problem. But boundaries are healthy and necessary, no matter what they say.

WhyIt’sAbuse

This behavior is not only annoying, it’s abusive. Narcissists use guilt to manipulate and control, making you question your decisions and your worth. Setting boundaries is not something you should feel guilty about; it’s a sign of self-respect and self-care. Unfortunately, narcissists will never respect that. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you’ll be freed from the emotional chaos they create. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that your boundaries are valid, and no one has the right to make you feel guilty for asserting them. If someone is constantly making you feel bad for saying “no,” it’s time to reevaluate the relationship. Narcissistic behavior isn’t love, it’s manipulation. You deserve a relationship where your needs are heard and respected, not one where you’re constantly walking on eggshells.