Yes, a narcissist can get their feelings hurt. Narcissists typically respond to situations with strong emotions, regardless of whether their reaction is positive or negative. When a narcissist’s emotional needs are not met or their sense of self-importance is threatened, they may become defensive and feel hurt.
Narcissists can be easily insulted and have a hard time dealing with criticism, even when it is constructive. They can become highly emotional and reactive when their behavior is challenged, often responding with rage or manipulation.
They may also become clingy and possessive if they become worried or insecure. Ultimately, narcissists can feel hurt in a variety of ways, just like any other person.
Table of Contents
What does a narcissist do when you hurt their feelings?
When someone hurts the feelings of a narcissist, they may display a variety of responses. In some cases, the narcissist will respond with a reaction of rage and anger, tantrums, or even verbal or physical attacks.
They may try to manipulate the situation by attempting to make the other person feel guilty and apologize, or they may make accusations and attempts to discredit the other person. Narcissists also may go into a severe depression or detachment when their feelings are hurt and try to push away the person who hurt them.
They may also attempt to project their own feelings of hurt and anger onto the other person, blaming the other for their own emotions. Ultimately, narcissists often have difficulty dealing with emotions in a healthy way, so their response to feeling hurt is often one that reflects their own need for control and acceptance from others.
How do you tell if a narcissist is hurt?
Telling if a narcissist is hurt can be difficult as they often attempt to mask this emotion. Indeed, they prefer to be seen as unbothered by most situations, even when they are deeply hurt. However, there are some signs that can indicate that a narcissist is experiencing hurt.
These can include them becoming more dismissive and disengaged, isolating themselves from friends and family, lashing out, making cutting remarks, exhibiting signs of jealousy, becoming overly critical of loved ones, and/or trying to dominate and control those around them.
They may also exhibit more overtly aggressive behavior, become hyper critical, devalue others and themselves, or put down those close to them in order to deflect any attention away from their pain. Ultimately, it is important to keep in mind that narcissists are very adept at hiding their true feelings and, as such, it can be hard to tell when they are genuinely hurt.
Do narcissists know they hurt you?
Yes, narcissists are typically aware that their actions and behaviors can hurt others, although they often do not care. Narcissists can be highly self-centered and selfish while displaying a lack of empathy and concern for the feelings and needs of those around them.
This can lead them to make choices, such as manipulating or exploiting others, that inflict emotional and psychological pain. They often lack guilt, remorse, and may even enjoy causing distress in others.
Narcissists may have an exaggerated sense of importance, entitlement and superiority, which can lead them to believe they have the right to trample on people’s feelings, even when they are actually being cruel.
In extreme cases, they may even be aware that their behavior is wrong, but they enjoy the power it gives them and will not stop. Ultimately, it is up to the individual themselves to decide whether to keep hurting people or to change their behavior.
Do narcissists think about their victims?
The answer to this question is not black and white. While some narcissists do think about their victims, the truth is that it’s more complicated than that. It depends on the individual narcissist and the particular circumstances in which they find themselves.
Some narcissists may feel very little empathy for their victims and never think about them beyond what it takes to get what they want. Other narcissists, especially those with severe Narcissistic Personality Disorder, may actually find enjoyment in hurting their victims, thinking about them in a vengeful or sadistic way.
So, it really varies from individual to individual.
What happens when a narcissist can’t control you?
When a narcissist can’t control you, they usually resort to attempting to manipulate and gaslight you in order to regain some sense of control. They will likely attempt to belittle you, make you question your own thoughts, feelings and decisions and make you feel like you aren’t good enough for them.
They may accuse you of being too independent or views you as a threat if you don’t submit to their often unreasonable demands. Narcissists may also become overly critical and judgemental in order to make you feel vulnerable and weaken your self-esteem.
Additionally, they may take advantage of your kindness or good nature and use it against you or turn it into something negative. This type of emotional abuse can be very draining and difficult to cope with but it is important to remember that it isn’t your fault and that you have the right to be respected and treated with dignity, regardless of any attempts to control you.
Does the narcissist ever feel remorse?
Yes, the narcissist is capable of feeling remorse, although not in the same way as other people. Whereas others may feel regret or guilt after an inappropriate behavior, the narcissist is more likely to feel shame or humiliation.
This can be caused by a sense of defeat or being exposed, or an awareness that their behavior was wrong in some way.
Narcissists can also feel remorse in response to a person or situation that inspires genuine empathy, such as an act of kindness or a person in distress. It is important to note, however, that these feelings can be fleeting or limited in their intensity.
Narcissism prevents people from reflecting at length on the consequences of their behavior, so remorse can disappear quickly once the external stimulus is gone.
Does a narcissist know that they are a narcissist?
In general, it is difficult to know whether or not a narcissist is aware of their narcissistic tendencies, as individuals will vary in their own level of self-awareness. The primary criterion for diagnosing Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.
Generally, those with NPD are unaware of or unwilling to acknowledge their extreme self-centered tendencies and destructive behavior, making it difficult to make a definitive statement regarding whether or not a narcissist knows they are a narcissist.
However, there has been some evidence suggesting that those with NPD may be more aware of their own behavior than previously thought. One study found that many narcissists are actually quite self-aware, having an “almost accurate representation of the negative traits they possess [and an] ability to comprehend the effect of their behavior on others.
” Another study reported that while those with strong narcissistic tendencies may have an “uncontrollable urge” to engage in self-aggrandizing behavior, they also may be aware that such behavior is problematic.
Ultimately, it is unclear to what degree those with NPD understand or recognize their own narcissistic behavior. More research is still needed in order to gain a better understanding of the issue.
Do narcissist realize what they are doing?
It is difficult to generalize this answer as it depends on the individual narcissist and the specific actions they are taking. In some cases, a narcissist may have a distorted sense of reality and may not be aware of the negative impact their actions have on other people.
This can be especially true if their behaviour is enabled by those around them who overlook or excuse their behaviour. On the other hand, some narcissists may be aware of their behaviour but not care about its impacts on others.
They may also use manipulation tactics to get what they want so they may be consciously aware of their behavior but not see the harm it causes. Ultimately, it is difficult to answer this question definitively as it varies on a case-by-case basis.
Therefore, it is important to take caution when dealing with narcissists or those exhibiting narcissistic behaviours and remember that they may or may not be aware of their behaviour.
Do narcissists care about hurting people?
Narcissists can be creative in the ways that they hurt people due to their own sense of superiority and lack of empathy. However, it is possible that some narcissists can feel guilt or regret for the hurt that they have caused, which suggests that they do care about the pain they inflict.
Narcissistic behavior is often driven by the need for attention and control, meaning that the intent behind their actions is not to physically hurt or emotionally wound someone, but rather to achieve their goal.
That said, some narcissists may enjoy the power and control they have over the people they hurt, while others may view their behavior as a way to temporarily stem their insecurities. In both of these cases, it is likely that the narcissist does not think about the harm they are causing in depth or consider the consequences.
In most cases, the narcissist will not stop hurting people unless they are challenged or confronted about their behavior.
While it is possible that a narcissist may care about the pain they inflict, it is much more likely that they are unconcerned and uninfluenced by the emotional reactions of their victims. This is why it is so important for their victims to seek help from a therapist or a support system, as they often lack the emotional insight into what they are actually doing.
Can a narcissist connect emotionally?
Yes, a narcissist can emotionally connect but it is a difficult process. Narcissists often have difficulty with empathy, which means they are less likely to understand how someone else may be feeling.
They may not be able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, and thus are less likely to be able to respond with empathy and understanding. This makes it difficult to develop a deep emotional connection with others.
Narcissists may be able to connect with someone on a shallow level, however, and they may be able to recognize and experience positive emotions. They are also often attentive and responsive, which makes them appear from the outside as if they are connecting with others, when really they are just focusing on the surface.
Do narcissists feel the trauma bond?
Yes, narcissists can experience the trauma bond, which is a strong emotional connection between two people that is formed by one person exploiting and psychologically manipulating the other. The victim of this manipulation experiences distress and confusion, and feels an emotional attachment to the narcissist, while the narcissist gains gratification from being able to control the other person.
In some cases, the trauma bond may be so strong that the victim feels unable to leave the relationship, especially if they have been psychologically abused. Additionally, if the victim does manage to extricate themselves from the relationship, it can take considerable time for them to become emotionally strong enough for them to move on.
Ultimately, although narcissists may seem distant and self-centered, the trauma bond can be a very real element of their relationships.
Will a narcissist tell you they love you?
It is hard to generalize as all narcissists are different, but it is common for a narcissist to tell you they love you. However, the love they have for themselves is much greater than the love they have for anyone else.
Narcissists may tell you they love you, yet they don’t really understand love the way others do. Narcissists may love the attention they get by showing off or playing mind games with you, but they typically don’t have genuine feelings of affection or empathy.
In some cases, they may claim to love someone and act as if they do to get admiration, attention, or a sense of control. It is important to remember that genuine love requires empathy and selflessness and that narcissists are typically lacking in these qualities.
Why do narcissists do nice things for you?
Narcissists may do nice things for you initially because they genuinely believe that you can be of use to them. They may also do nice things for you because they want to gain admiration or to receive reciprocal favors.
Narcissists are often looking for admiration and attention. They use acts of kindness as a way to maintain and increase their status within the relationship. By showing kindness to you or doing something they know will make you happy, they can receive the admiration and attention from you that they crave.
It is also possible that in some cases, a narcissist may do nice things for you simply to be nice and because they are capable of genuine kindness and with the intention of creating connection. However, even if a narcissist does appear to do nice things for you it is important to remember that they always have a hidden agenda and will expect something in return.
