Narcissism can be a significant problem, tearing families apart and leaving behind lasting damage. Understanding how to identify narcissism and keep yourself safe is important, especially because only a small percentage of people who have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are ever diagnosed.
Some of the main signs of NPD are gaslighting, blame-shifting, playing the victim, and minimizing others’ feelings. Narcissists also often use charm to manipulate. For example, love-bombing is a popular manipulation tactic. It involves over-the-top affection early on, then a withdrawal of affection later in the relationship.
Narcissism can lead to poor communication, unhealthy competition, distrust, low self-esteem, and more. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to separate yourself from a narcissist.
To begin the separation, you must start planning. This includes making arrangements for your safety, money, financial documents, and contact information. Ensuring that you have money in a separate account is critical, as is creating new forms of contact.
It is also important to take the separation slowly. Make sure that you have your money in order, keep a diary as evidence, and maintain normal activities until you are ready to separate. When you are prepared to separate, communicate your plan with your family so they can help ensure your safety. Pay attention to signs of stalking, and contact authorities if you do not feel safe enough to leave on your own.
Learning that you are dealing with narcissism in the family can be tough to confront. Narcissism can irrevocably damage families, making it vital to steer clear of these dangerous situations. Being smart about the separation through careful preparation and attention to safety is key to distancing yourself from a narcissistic individual.
