Narcissists are deceitful, but they’re masters of manipulation, that’s for sure. They know exactly how to get what they want—at your expense.
If you’ve ever felt completely drained, taken advantage of, or even controlled in your relationship, it’s very likely a narcissist is responsible.
Their tactics can be subtle and deliberate, and they’re often difficult to spot until it’s too late.
I want to show you nine key ways narcissists exploit you. Once you know their moves, you can regain control.
Are you ready to protect yourself?
Missing Them Up
Missing a narcissist for a good person is why we all fall for the charm. This can happen in friendships, relationships, and at work.
You may even find a narcissist or two in your family!
Related : Do You Project ‘Older Sister Energy’? 8 Telltale Signs to Watch Out For!
Misunderstanding them is how we learn a lesson, but this whole topic is designed to help you realize who you really are.
And to be prepared.
And to ensure it never happens again.
You_Want_A_Good_Man
Everyone wants a good man, and I use the word “man” to describe everyone here.
A good man will take care of you. He won’t see your weaknesses as opportunities to toy with your emotions.
You’ve been through your share of troubles, and you’re waiting for that inner peace to come knocking.
You’re tired of being treated unfairly, and you’re waiting for it to stop.
9 Ways Narcissists Take Advantage of You
1 Reality Stealers
When a narcissist steals your reality, they don’t just take what’s theirs, they take everything you stand for.
Your reality is built on your perceptions, what you see, hear, experience, and how you feel about those things.
If someone comes along and dismisses everything as if none of it matters, you’ll lose yourself completely.
Over time, losing your reality will feel like you’re agreeing just because you want to agree with someone else’s opinion. You’ll forget what it means to be able to present your narrative wisely without being trampled on.
2 You’re the good old…!
Yes! You’ll tolerate anything. You’ll deal with feedback or criticism. You’ll take on this task even if you have enough work to do.
You’ll burn yourself out because others impose unrealistic demands on you—high expectations you have to live up to.
Related : How To Annoy A Passive Aggressive Person? 8 Tricks That Will Help You Deal With Them Like A Pro
You’re the good old, aren’t you?
It’s not fair, no. That’s how narcissists like to work, and how they’ll continue to exploit you because you make it easy for them.
I’m not suggesting you give up everything you have, but your inherent kindness will be used as a means for the narcissist to take what isn’t theirs.
3 “Stay home—I can do it.”
This happens all the time.
You stay home. I’ll go to work, and you’re responsible for everything under my roof.
The advantage the narcissist feels then is permission to control you, to keep you under their control.
You can’t spend money without my permission.
I have the final say on how much money is spent.
You have to ask before you buy anything, and I want receipts as proof.
Can you imagine living this way? Maybe some of you don’t need any fantasies at all.
4 “Stop everything: I’m sick!”
They don’t care about what’s going on in your daily life: If they feel unwell, you have to stop everything and be with them. Support them. Feel sorry for them. Give them soup—whatever you need to do.
Even worse, sometimes they don’t need to be sick at all. Narcissists will take advantage of it to get the maximum amount of attention they need from you.
Why?
Because they know how compassionate and empathetic you are! It’s not a bad quality, but it will be exploited by the wrong people…
…by narcissists!
5 “You’ll do it!”
Many narcissists view their victims as people who will just “do it.” I know how this can make the victim feel underappreciated in everything they do.
But, as good people who just want to help, they continue to play this role because they feel they’re making a positive difference in the narcissist’s life.
Related : The Fixer Trap: How Fixer Mentality Affects Relationships And What You Can Do About It
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The narcissist actually takes full advantage of their victims.
When the victim agrees and pursues the narcissist, only one person wins, and one person loses.
Because no matter what you do, it’s never enough.
6 The Love Bomb: Coming!
Oh, the magic. Energy. Love. Passion. Warmth. Excitement. Caring. Belief. Promises. Love. The wonderful ways your fairytale unfolds…
…What’s the point of all this if not to take full advantage of you? The idea of love bombing isn’t to love you, it’s to bomb you with exhaustion, so that you can’t see anything good anywhere else.
You stay. You cling. You reaffirm. You become dependent.
This isn’t in your best interest, it’s in the narcissist’s!
7 They Apologize
If I apologized every time I upset them, they’d still forgive me.
Well, that’s the equivalent of automatic permission to get away with anything you want, right?
Okay!
Don’t tolerate everything just because an apology follows.
You deserve more than that.
8 “I’ll be responsible for that—thank you!”
Never underestimate how much control and power narcissists want. They won’t let you access your bank statements, use your cards, or even your car if they want—and they’ll try to enforce that as best they can.
I see this a lot—victims who say they simply don’t have control over such important household matters.
Your place is to take care of the home.
The kids need you—I’ll do the rest.
It’s complicated. Let me do it all.
It’s time to stand up and see yourself as an equal, not a minor, in the home you live in.
9 It’s Not Them—It’s You
Oh, it’s never them! They need someone to blame, someone to take advantage of.
That’s you.
Blame Shifting
The narcissist is never at fault. If they can evade a difficult situation, they’ll put you in the line of fire.
Projection
If you accuse them of something, they’ll throw it back at you. This makes you feel guilty and ashamed for having the nerve. It also mitigates what they actually did wrong.
They’re using you.
Triangulation
By interfering between two perfectly compatible people, the narcissist is sabotaging a future alliance.
That alliance may one day turn against them, and they’ll take advantage of your kindness and immediately end it.
