34 Secrets to Control a Narcissist and Cut Off Their Power ASAP!

If you have a narcissistic person in your life, you won’t need me to tell you how hard it is to be around them. Answer? Cut off their narcissistic supply.

Narcissism has become a topic of discussion these days. The problem is that dealing with a narcissist in real life is no joke. A narcissistic person can turn your world upside down, leaving you wondering which side is up, down, left or right. Simply put, you will feel dizzy and extremely confused. This is reverse. The downside is very bad. If you understand their mind at the end of it, you will be lucky, which is why you should learn how to cut off their narcissistic supply as quickly as possible.

Many people get stuck in relationships with narcissistic people because they can’t find a way out. We won’t lie, it’s really not easy.

When you love someone, you wonder what they are really like. Then, when you add manipulation into the mix, it’s the most confusing story in the world. The thing is, unless you get out of the relationship, you will never be happy.

What is a narcissist?

Now, a real narcissistic person is one who suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder *NPD*. This is not a choice nor is it something a human being truly wants to be, but a narcissist doesn’t know any other way to live. Hence their bad behavior continues throughout their life.

He should be the center of attention at all times and be praised on a regular basis. They want you to do what they want, whenever they snap their fingers.

When you first dive into the world of narcissism, learn about it, and understand it, you’ll probably be confused. Is this person really an inappropriate and disgusting type of person? It makes sense to think this way, but it is also important to remember that the narcissistic person has a personality disorder that determines their actions to some extent.

Is this an excuse to hurt others? no way. That is why if you are in contact with someone and are suffering, you need to get out of it right now.

1. An increased sense of importance

Narcissists believe that they are not only the center of their own world, but also the center of everyone else’s world. Their sense of self-importance is so inflated that it’s a wonder they can actually walk through a door.

They believe they are the best at everything and they won’t listen to you say anything different. Their opinion is also the only thing that matters – your opinion is worth nothing in their eyes.

2. Their head is in the clouds

Because a narcissistic person believes that they are the most important person in the entire world, they live in a world that supports that theory.

3. They need constant validation

Despite the fact that a narcissistic person thinks they are the bee’s knees, they actually have a severe lack of self-confidence. Because they live in a fantasy world, they need your constant validation that they are amazing, good looking, very talented, etc.

When they don’t get it, they can become very nasty with vindictive comments, passive-aggressive behavior, cold shoulder tactics, or worse.

4. Highly manipulative

Narcissists are master manipulators. They are able to change any situation to their liking by manipulating people’s minds.

5. They lack empathy

A relationship with a narcissistic person is going nowhere. Sorry, but it’s true. The main reason is difficult but mostly due to the fact that they have no love for anyone else but themselves.

Narcissists lack empathy and this means they are not capable of loving you the way you love them. They may try to make you believe that they can do it, but it is all an illusion of their own making.

They only know how to pretend to be in love based on what they have seen in movies or read in books, but they can never understand true love for anyone other than themselves.

6. They believe the world owes them

If you look up ‘playing the victim’ in the dictionary you’ll probably find the word ‘narcissist’ not far from it. They are brilliant at playing the victim and pretending that the world owes them a favor.

7. They are scoundrels

Narcissists often bully, insult, and manipulate other people to get what they want and to make themselves look superior. They don’t care about anyone else’s feelings because they have no empathy.

A narcissistic person has no problem humiliating someone in front of a room full of people and then laughing at it, even if the other person is clearly upset.

8. The attraction can be turned on like a switch

Probably the biggest issue with being in a relationship with a narcissist is the way they keep you where you are.

When you meet them for the first time, they will be on their best behavior. You won’t believe that you have met such an amazing person. Then, when they have you where they want you, they will begin to let the facade slip.

What is Narcissistic Supply?

We know this all sounds a little scientific, so let’s break it down.

1. Recognition and praise

At the root of narcissistic supply is the need for constant validation and praise. This stems from an underlying fragile self-esteem, which is often covered by a superficial layer of grandiosity and self-importance.

Psychologists understand this as a defense mechanism. The narcissistic person uses external validation to reinforce his or her self-image, which is usually unstable and distorted.

2. Attention seeking behavior

Getting the narcissist’s attention is another major aspect of narcissistic supply. They often engage in attention-seeking behaviors, ranging from exaggerated accomplishments to dramatic personal narratives.

This is explained by their need to be in the center of attention, confirming their sense of superiority. The attention they seek serves as a psychological lifeline, providing them with a sense of worth and existence.

3. Emotional abuse

Narcissistic supply is not just about receiving praise or being in the spotlight, it often also involves emotional abuse of others.

Narcissists may manipulate the people around them to elicit specific reactions such as sympathy, admiration, or devotion.

This manipulation is a hallmark of narcissistic personality disorder, as stated in the DSM-5 *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders*. This reflects the narcissist’s inability to form healthy, empathetic relationships.

4. Supply Source

The sources of narcissistic supply can be diverse. They may include romantic partners, coworkers, friends, or even strangers.

Essentially, any person who can provide the narcissist with the praise and validation they need can become a source of supply.

5. Psychological effect of supply withdrawal

When narcissistic supplies are withdrawn, narcissistic people can experience a variety of negative emotions, from anger and frustration to depression and emptiness.

This withdrawal can trigger what psychologists call narcissistic injury. This injury occurs when the narcissist’s ideal self-image is threatened, potentially leading to emotional instability and even aggressive behavior.

Narcissistic supply can be anything that supports the narcissist’s fantasy world.

If a celebrity is narcissistic *and you’d be surprised how many actually are*, then celebrity status itself is narcissistic supply.

This attention *fame* gives the narcissist the attention they need, praise, admiration and everything else that comes with being a household name.

Of course, celebrities are also ridiculed and insulted. As you can imagine, the narcissist doesn’t like this one bit.

Fame is not necessary for narcissistic supply. It usually comes to power in several ways. When someone is constantly telling another person how amazing they are, the person receiving the compliment is in a position of power.

Are they amazing? Nobody really is, but try telling that to a narcissist!

Dangers of Being a Source of Narcissistic Supply

Being a source of supply for a narcissistic person is like falling into a psychological trap. It may feel good to be the center of such intense attention at first, but this dynamic often leads to a harmful, one-sided relationship.

Understanding the dangers of narcissistic supply is important to maintaining emotional health and well-being. This awareness can empower individuals to recognize and avoid unhealthy patterns in relationships.

1. Emotional exhaustion

As a source of narcissistic supply, you constantly need to feed the narcissist’s ego, leaving little room for your own emotional needs.

This constant demand for attention and validation from the narcissist can lead to emotional burnout.

2. Loss of self-esteem

Being the narcissist’s source of supply often means enduring repeated criticism and insults as the narcissist attempts to assert superiority.

Constant negative feedback can lower your self-esteem, leading to feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy.

Psychological theories suggest that such experiences can affect one’s self-concept, making it harder to recognize and emphasize one’s worth in both personal and professional spheres.

3. Manipulation and control

Narcissists are like manipulative puppets, often employing tactics such as gaslighting and emotional blackmail to maintain their narcissistic supply.

Imagine you’re blindfolded and trying to navigate a maze; Thus these techniques can distort your perception of reality. You may begin to doubt your memories and decisions.

This psychological trickery, rooted in cognitive dissonance, promotes dependence on narcissistic people, and keeps you entangled in their web.

4. Isolation from others

Narcissists often play a game of ‘divide and rule’ to isolate their supply sources. They may subtly, or not so subtly, discourage your interactions with friends and family, creating a bubble where they are the only influential person.

Isolation can increase feelings of loneliness, making you an easy target for their manipulative actions. This is in line with the concept of social isolation, which increases helplessness and dependency.

5. Poor ability to form healthy relationships

After dancing to the tune of a narcissist, your relationship radar may need to recalibrate. You may find yourself questioning what normality looks like in friendships and romantic partnerships.

This skewed perspective can equally lead to a cycle of seeking harmful dynamics, a pattern explained by attachment theory, where early relational experiences shape future relationship expectations.

6. Trauma and post-traumatic stress

Reaching out to a narcissistic person for an ego boost can leave deep emotional wounds. Persistent stress and anxiety can manifest as symptoms of PTSD, such as intrusive memories or increased alertness.

7. Compromising personal growth and development

When you’re busy being a narcissistic cheerleader, your own goals and aspirations can take a back seat. It’s like you’re stuck in the passenger seat while they speed down the highway of selfishness.

Ignoring personal development can lead to a feeling of stagnation where your potential remains untapped.

8. Chronic Stress and Physical Health Issues

Constantly paying attention to a narcissistic person can be as exhausting as running a marathon with no finish line. This ongoing emotional stress often manifests in physical ailments, from headaches to heart problems.

This mind-body connection, a cornerstone in psychosomatic medicine, highlights how much havoc chronic stress can wreak on your physical health.

9. Sensitivity to…