How to spot a narcissist: 4 warning signs they're about to gaslight you

 

A narcissist can make you feel very special in the beginning of your relationship with them, but this special feeling quickly turns into one of confusion and frustration once you start to realize that there are certain patterns to their behavior that are beyond confusing. If you're dating someone who seems to be everything that they say they are, but something just doesn't seem right or feels off in your relationship, it might be because your partner is a narcissist. This article discusses 4 warning signs they're about to gaslight you.

 

1) They make you feel like you're going crazy

Have you ever felt like your partner or a close friend was manipulating you, making you doubt your own beliefs and opinions? Chances are, you may have been the victim of gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation employed by narcissists to make their victims question their own sanity.

Gaslighting is an insidious form of emotional abuse and manipulation that can be difficult to detect because it is often subtle and manipulative. Narcissists are experts at using gaslighting to control their victims and make them feel like they're going crazy. Here are four warning signs that you may be dealing with a narcissist who is about to gaslight you:

1. They Constantly Criticize You - A narcissist will often criticize and belittle you in an effort to make you feel inferior. This allows them to gain control over the relationship and make you more dependent on them.

2. They Make Empty Promises - Narcissists will promise you the world but rarely follow through on their promises. This is designed to make you feel like they care about you when in reality they are manipulating you into trusting them.

3. They Create Triangulation - Narcissists often create triangulation, a situation where two people are pitted against each other in order to gain power and control. This tactic allows the narcissist to make one person feel superior while making the other feel inferior.

4. They Make You Doubt Yourself - A narcissist will often use gaslighting to make their victim doubt their own reality and sense of self. They may deny facts that you know to be true, or try to convince you that your feelings or opinions are wrong or invalid.

If you think that someone is trying to gaslight you, it's important to take steps to protect yourself. Remember that you are not going crazy and trust your own instincts. Recognizing the signs of gaslighting can help you recognize a toxic relationship and take steps to protect yourself from further manipulation and abuse.

 

2) They are masters of manipulation

Narcissists are masters of manipulation, and often use gaslighting as a way to con people into believing that they actually care about them. It’s important to be able to spot a narcissist before they can cause any harm. Here are four warning signs that a narcissist is about to try and manipulate you:

1. They will shower you with attention. Initially, narcissists will do everything in their power to make you feel special and valued. They will compliment you, bring you gifts, and spend a lot of time with you, but only if it serves their purpose.

2. They will make false promises. A narcissist may promise to help you or take care of something for you, but won’t follow through on these promises once they have your trust. This can leave you feeling confused and frustrated.

3. They will blame others. Narcissists often try to shift the blame onto someone else in order to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. They may also try to get you to agree with them in order to make themselves look better.

4. They will always have an excuse. If a narcissist does something wrong, they will always have an excuse for why it happened, rather than admitting fault. They may even go so far as to blame you for the situation in order to cover up their own mistakes.

It's important to remember that these warning signs don't always mean that someone is a narcissist. However, if you notice several of these behaviors from the same person, it might be a good idea to distance yourself from them before they can take advantage of you.

 

3) They are never wrong

If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, chances are that they are going to try to con you into thinking they care. This can often come in the form of gaslighting, or making you doubt your own thoughts and feelings. So how can you spot the signs that this is happening?

One of the tell-tale signs of a narcissist is that they are never wrong. If you’re having a disagreement, they will insist that their opinion is the only one that matters and will not budge on it. They also may twist the facts to suit their own narrative and make excuses for their behavior.

Another red flag is when they use your own emotions against you. A narcissist may bring up past mistakes or hurtful things you’ve said in order to manipulate you into thinking they are right. They may also try to blame their own bad behavior on you or make it seem like it was your fault.

A narcissist will also be extremely controlling and manipulative in order to get what they want. They may use guilt trips or threaten to leave you if you don’t agree with them. They may also use flattery and compliments to make you feel better about them or to get you to do what they want.

Finally, a narcissist may also use emotional blackmail to make you stay in the relationship. They may threaten to hurt themselves or others if you try to end the relationship. They may also emotionally manipulate you into thinking that you’re responsible for their happiness and well-being.

These are just some of the warning signs that your partner is a narcissist and is trying to con you into believing they care. Remember, it’s important to set boundaries and remember that their opinions aren’t always right. If your partner is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it may be time to seek professional help.

 

4) They have a Jekyll and Hyde personality

One of the most dangerous and manipulative traits of narcissists is their Jekyll and Hyde personalities. They’re able to switch between being overly nice and sweet, to suddenly becoming hostile and domineering with no warning.

The sudden changes in mood can be very disorienting for those around them, especially if they’ve been on the receiving end of their kindness. It's important to know that if a person is so drastically changing their behavior and attitude, it’s a sign that they don't have your best interest at heart.

It's common for narcissists to act overly nice and attentive in order to gain control and manipulate you into thinking that they actually care about you. In reality, this kindness is just a facade – a way for them to gain trust and control over you.

If you find yourself in a relationship with someone who has this type of personality, take caution and don't get too comfortable. There's a high chance they're not looking out for your best interests. Look out for sudden changes in mood or behavior, as well as signs of gaslighting. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and stay aware of the signs that someone may be a narcissist.