All individuals have narcissistic traits to a point. In wholesome people, a standard quantity helps them take delight of their accomplishments. However this very narcissism turns into harmful when it will increase and is used to control others. The issues narcissists say in an argument may even result in the dying of your vanity.
That’s why, for extra insights on narcissistic abuse, we turned to psychotherapist Dr. Chavi Bhargava Sharma (Masters in Psychology), who has huge expertise in various spheres of psychological well being and wellness, together with relationship counseling
What Is A Narcissist?
Chavi explains, “Narcissists consider themselves as crucial. They always crave reward and a spotlight. Overtly, they seem as assured individuals. However unconsciously or subconsciously, they aren’t that assured. They, in actual fact, have a really low vanity.
“They don’t seem to be silly. Actually, they’re very charismatic and seductive. They use this attraction to control you and twist details to their benefit. They’re insecure, boastful, and emotionally abusive.”
The Diagnostic and Statistical Handbook of Psychological Issues (DSM-5) lists 9 standards for NPD (Narcissistic Persona Dysfunction), nevertheless it specifies that somebody solely wants to satisfy 5 of them to clinically qualify as a narcissist:
Grandiose sense of self-importance
Preoccupation with fantasies of limitless success, energy, brilliance, magnificence, or excellent love
The assumption they’re particular and distinctive and might solely be understood by, or ought to affiliate with, different particular or high-status individuals or establishments
Want for extreme admiration
Sense of entitlement
Interpersonally exploitative conduct
Lack of empathy
Envy of others or a perception that others are envious of them
Demonstration of boastful and haughty behaviors or attitudes
If anybody near you, be it your associate, member of the family, or good friend exhibits the above indicators, know that it has nothing to do with you. You’re simply the goal of abuse in a relationship and never the reason for it.
Anybody who’s near the narcissist would be the goal of their abuse, no matter who they’re. However if you happen to’re conversant in the issues narcissists say to trick you, you’ll be able to put together your self for coping with them.
30 Manipulative Issues Narcissists Say In An Argument And What They Really Imply
Chavi factors out, “The basis explanation for narcissism lies in an individual’s childhood or unbalanced upbringing. They both acquired an excessive amount of adoration as a baby or an excessive amount of criticism. Because of this the kid grew as much as really feel that the world is egocentric and so they can’t succeed with out taking pictures others down or denying others’ rights.” Now that we all know what narcissism is and its causes, let’s dig deeper into the issues narcissists say in an argument.
1. “You’re too delicate”
Chavi emphasizes, “A narcissist by no means takes duty for their very own conduct. It’s NEVER their fault. They trivialize your emotions and inform you that you just at all times blow issues out of proportion.”
If they’re making you doubt your individual actuality, they’re undoubtedly making an attempt to gaslight you. Calling you too delicate is a traditional technique for blame-shifting. This permits somebody with NPD to shrug off accountability for their very own actions.
What they really imply: “I don’t wish to settle for that it’s my fault.”
2. “You’re loopy, you need assistance”
Calling you loopy is likely one of the traditional narcissist argument techniques. Narcissists are additionally known as ‘loopy makers’ as a result of making you query your individual sanity helps them set up management over you. It’s a traditional gaslighting approach to kill your vanity and make you doubt your reality.
What they really imply: “I’m not going to take duty for this, so I’ll cease listening.”
3. “I’m sorry you are feeling that manner”
The issues narcissists say in an argument additionally embrace a pretend apology about how ‘you’ really feel this manner. This doesn’t imply that they really feel any form of regret. They’re simply making it sound like you feel upset for no good purpose. As a substitute, they need to say “I’m sorry I did this” to indicate accountability for his or her errors.
What they really imply: “I don’t imagine I’ve induced you hurt and won’t take duty for my actions.”
4. “You’re being unreasonable”
Narcissistic abusers use this phrase in an try and discredit your emotions and diminish your viewpoint. This manipulation tactic works nicely on people who find themselves extra inclined to be agreeable and fewer more likely to take motion in opposition to the injustice executed to them.
What they really imply: “I don’t have the openness to hearken to the views that disagree with me.”
5. “You’re fortunate I put up with this”
Since a narcissist has an inflated sense of self, they really feel they’re doing you a favor by being with you. You’re anticipated to really feel ‘grateful’ and ‘blessed’ that they’ve chosen to stick with you. The intention behind these narcissistic phrases is to make you are feeling nugatory.
What they really imply: “I’m scared you’re pulling away and may find yourself leaving me.”
6. “That is the way you repay me?”
In response to Chavi, probably the most widespread issues narcissists say in an argument is, “I’ve executed a lot for you however you by no means recognize me.” They hold rely of all the great issues they do after which later anticipate you to pay them again. How are you going to reward their so-called acts of ‘kindness’? By by no means talking in opposition to them.
7. “I’m the perfect you’ll ever have”
Claiming to be the “greatest romantic associate” is likely one of the commonest issues narcissists say about themselves. As analysis factors out, they see themselves very positively and are motivated to keep up their overly optimistic self-perceptions. So, they make it seem to be they’ve stooped to be with you and you might be unworthy of them.
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What they really imply: “I’m scared that I’m unworthy of you.”
8. “I’m solely doing this as a result of I like you”
“I’m solely doing it out of affection” or “I’ve your greatest pursuits at coronary heart” are among the commonest phrases narcissists use. They justify their mistreatment of you. They act jealous or insecure just because they “love” you.
What they really imply: “I take pleasure in controlling and exploiting you.”
9. “Not every part is about you”
Chavi says, “Narcissists have a low vanity and therefore want individuals to admire and validate them always. They lack empathy and therefore have hassle understanding others. They require consideration, really feel entitled, and anticipate particular privileges (that they don’t give again).”
Therefore, “Not every part is about you” is likely one of the widespread issues narcissists say as a result of every part is about THEM. They get defensive if you happen to steal their highlight, even for a second. They may make you are feeling responsible and embarrassed if you happen to take the main target away from them. Keep in mind, guilt-tripping in relationships is a type of abuse.
What they really imply: “Don’t steal my thunder.”
10. “We don’t want anybody else”
This is likely one of the issues a narcissist would say in a relationship to maintain you compliant and dependable to them. In the event that they struggle with you for spending time with different individuals, know that they’re making an attempt to isolate you from everybody else. They’re making an attempt to make it a codependent relationship.
What they really imply: “I don’t wish to compete in your time and a spotlight as a result of I need you all for myself.”
11. “It’s a must to decide a facet”
These narcissistic phrases are a delicate method to emotionally manipulate you. They may ask you questions like “For those who might select to stick with only one particular person on this planet, who wouldn’t it be?” within the hopes that you just’d say it’s them. And if you happen to don’t select them over others, they could get upset and provide you with a chilly shoulder.
What they really imply: “Select me. Love me greater than others. Inform me I’m crucial to you.”
12. “You’re nothing with out me”
In response to Chavi, “Narcissists hold obsessing over how highly effective they’re. They really feel that their achievements are higher than others. They get very indignant when individuals don’t give them the adoration they anticipate.”
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Therefore, the issues narcissists say to mock you embrace them taking credit score in your accomplishments. “You couldn’t have executed it with out me” is likely one of the traditional narcissist argument techniques. They make you are feeling that you just owe them in your success.
What they really imply: “I desire a share in your glory to protect my narcissistic provide.”

13. “Nicely, no surprise nobody likes you”
This is likely one of the widespread issues narcissists say to maintain you in line. It’s their manner of destroying your vanity and making you are feeling like you don’t have any one else to show to. Your associate makes you are feeling insecure by telling you that nobody else can love you or take care of you the way in which they do.
What they really imply: “The extra alienated and alone you are feeling, the much less doubtless you might be to depart me.”
14. “You’re so insecure, it’s not engaging”
The issues narcissists say to mock you additionally embrace calling you ‘insecure’ and ‘unattractive’. They need you to really feel flawed. That is their method to distract you from the subject at hand. Within the lengthy haul, you’ll find yourself hating or doubting your self. Making you are feeling unhealthy about your self distracts them from how a lot they hate themselves.
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What they really imply: “I’m the one who’s insecure and I’m frightened that you just’ll go away me.”
15. “Don’t cry, you might be simply making an attempt to control me”
Chavi explains, “The rationale individuals don’t get out of emotionally abusive relationships is as a result of they don’t notice how a lot toxicity they’re dealing with each day.
“Let’s take the metaphor of a frog in a nicely. For those who enhance the temperature of the water immediately, the frog would leap out. However if you happen to enhance the temperature steadily, the frog would acclimatize itself.
“That is precisely how narcissistic phrases work. You normalize the emotional abuse since you don’t even notice you’re being abused in delicate methods.” So, once they inform you to cease crying, they simply need you to really feel like a weak particular person. Merely put, they’re projecting and accusing you of precisely what they’re doing.
What they really imply: “I don’t need you to precise your emotions.”
16. “It’s not my fault, it’s due to you/cash/stress/work”
Analysis exhibits that those that reside with narcissism typically carry an innate sense of victimhood, which is why they could shift the blame over to you, another person, or one other exterior issue they’ve little management over. Getting defensive and taking part in the sufferer card are each traditional blame-shifting methods.
What they really imply: “Taking accountability for my actions would require me to shed my ego and I’m incapable of doing that.”
17. “I nonetheless haven’t forgotten that mistake of yours”
The issues narcissists say in an argument embrace citing your previous wrongdoings however by no means taking duty for theirs. Perhaps your prior offense has nothing to do with the present battle. However they’d nonetheless convey it as much as divert your consideration and put you on the defensive. That is known as a narcissistic ‘phrase salad’.
What they really imply: “Now you have got proof in opposition to me and so I’ve to deflect the argument at any value.”
18. “That by no means occurred”
Research recommend that these with narcissism aren’t as susceptible to guilt as others, which might make it troublesome for them to take accountability for his or her actions. So, “Your proof doesn’t show something” and “I by no means stated that” are among the commonest phrases narcissists use.
What they really imply: “I do know I’m responsible however I’ll outright deny it in order that you find yourself doubting your self.”
19. “Loosen up. Don’t make it such a giant deal”
In response to Chavi, the issues a narcissist would say in a relationship embrace “It’s such a trivial difficulty. Don’t exaggerate it.” Even researchers have discovered that those that reside with NPD have restricted self-awareness and a diminished means to attune to others, which can clarify why they don’t see their behaviors in the identical gentle as you do.
What they really imply: “You’re confronting me so I’m going to reduce/downplay your misery.”
20. “For those who do this, I gained’t such as you anymore”
This is likely one of the bizarre issues narcissists say to emotionally blackmail you. They put you in a spot, whereby you’re speculated to ‘show’ your like to them. It’s both their manner or the freeway. They threaten you in delicate methods and go away you with no freedom to make your individual selection.
What they really imply: “I can’t deal with rejection. I want individuals to obey me blindly.”

21. “You don’t know what you’re speaking about”
Chavi emphasizes, “Narcissists are very insecure individuals. Their ego is a protecting mechanism in opposition to perceived threats, like criticism.” Therefore, they get defensive and take a look at too exhausting to make themselves really feel superior by comparability. It’s their manner of claiming, “I’m the skilled. I’ve a greater grasp of the problem at hand.”
What they really imply: “The second I begin feeling threatened, I begin devaluing you.”
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22. “It is advisable to develop up!”
“You’re such an immature little one” is likely one of the commonest issues a narcissist would say in a relationship. As Chavi factors out, “All the things that you just say is “irrational”. The one particular person underneath the Solar who is smart is them.”
What they really imply: “Ridiculing you helps me calm my insecurities.”
23. “Why can’t you be extra like them?”
Evaluating you to others comes underneath traditional narcissistic traits. They both provide the silent remedy to achieve an higher hand or anticipate you to be another person with the intention to be favored by them. This could hamper your psychological well being and cripple your self-worth.
What they really imply: “I don’t see myself in gentle. Why must you?”
24. “You pissed me off, that’s why I stated imply issues to you”
For those who’re nonetheless searching for issues a narcissist would say, essentially the most well-known one is “You made me do that”. All the things that they do is justified as a result of you’re the one who “triggers” them. You’re the one who brings out the worst in them. Everybody else, then again, is ready to convey out the perfect in them.
What they really imply: “I’m not capable of cope with my anger. So I’ll dump that guilt on you.”
25. “And I believed you had been particular person. My unhealthy”
Calling you a nasty particular person is likely one of the bizarre issues narcissists say. “I’m so disenchanted in you”, “I didn’t anticipate this from you”, or “How are you going to, out of all individuals, say this?” are different widespread issues narcissists say.
What they really imply: “I’m not even near turning into the particular person I aspire to be. So, I need you to drown with me.”
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26. “You’re at all times searching for causes to struggle with me”
Each time you attempt to specific your emotions or clarify why you felt unhealthy, they make you are feeling such as you dedicated against the law. They invalidate your feelings and make you are feeling like your solely objective is to upset them. So, they are saying, “Why do you at all times criticize me?” or “You at all times need to break my temper/day”.
What they really imply: “I don’t want you to present me a actuality examine. I’m joyful dwelling in denial.”
27. “You at all times take it the unsuitable manner”
On the issues narcissists say in an argument, Chavi says, “They may at all times inform you that you’ve misconstrued their feedback. They’re simply making an attempt to gaslight you by telling you that they didn’t imply it in the way in which you understood it.”
What they really imply: “It was intentionally stated by me to harm you. However now I’ve to make up for it.”
28. “Perhaps we must always finish this”
They haven’t any intention of breaking apart with you. However narcissists say one factor and do one other. They carry up the topic of parting methods with you frequently. Why so? As a result of they like it if you present indicators you’re begging for love. They love freaking you out.
What they really imply: “Seeing how scared you might be to lose me provides me a way of enjoyment.”
29. “I don’t know what you’re speaking about? When?”
Relating to the issues narcissists say in an argument, their go-to technique is taking part in dumb. They typically say issues like “I simply don’t perceive”, “What do you imply if you say that?”, or “The place is that this coming from?”
What they really imply: “I do know precisely what you’re speaking about. I simply don’t wish to discuss it.”
30. “I’m already going via a lot. Thanks for making it worse”
Self-pity is a traditional narcissistic trait. Therefore, the issues narcissists say in an argument typically embrace “My life is so troublesome”, “I’m in a lot ache”, “You recognize I’m depressed”, and so on.
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What they really imply: “I need you to really feel sorry for me and provides me consideration.”
Key Pointers
A covert narcissist has grandiose sense of self-importance and a deep-seated want for reward and a spotlight
The issues narcissists say in an argument embrace calling you too delicate, loopy, or dramatic
They make you are feeling that you just’re unworthy of them and it’s your privilege to be with them
They attempt to isolate you and distance you out of your shut ones
They anticipate you to repay them by showering them with reward and obedience
They mistreat you or destroy your confidence and inform you they do it as a result of they love you
They name you insecure and blame you for utilizing crying as a manipulation tactic
Lastly, Chavi explains, “If the above issues narcissists say in an argument sound acquainted to you, you need to take your associate to remedy, because it’s very troublesome to reside with an individual with such a inflexible protection mechanism. We use varied strategies to work on their vanity, like CBT, psychoanalysis, and therapeutic their previous trauma.” For those who’re searching for help, our counselors from Bonobology’s panel are only a click on away.
She provides, “I’ve seen difficult instances, particularly those with two narcissists in love. They don’t even proceed with remedy as a result of remedy is all about agreeing to work on your self. In different instances, persons are scared to depart, as a result of it’s an organized marriage.
“But when it’s getting too overwhelming, it’s higher to take a stand and get out of the poisonous relationship. You can’t name it a relationship if there is just one particular person in it.” So, at all times look out for your self, keep calm, and defend your psychological well being.
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