Narcissistic Behaviors Narcissistic Bribery TracyAMalone Narcissists don’t cultivate friendships; they gather followers. These individuals they refer to as friends typically serve as a source of supply or value. Narcissists may try to buy people’s affection and loyalty, essentially bribing them into their social circle. These so-called friends often remain blind to the true nature of the narcissist behind the carefully crafted mask they present. Narcissistic relationships Three endings There’s no universal formula for ending a narcissistic relationship or marriage. In certain situations, it’s not a voluntary decision, and this can significantly endanger one’s mental well-being. The shock of being caught off guard intensifies the emotional toll. For some, escape means fleeing with only a laundry basket of clothes. Their journey is fueled not only by haunting memories of fear and abuse but also by the heightened risk of stalking and financial manipulation as their funds are cut off. Others, summon their inner strength, seek support, and quietly prepare for the next steps. Equipping themselves with knowledge about their legal rights becomes paramount. These individuals are less likely to return to their toxic relationships and often experience a swifter path to healing. TracyAMalone Narcissistic Buying the children TracyAMalone Bribery In the midst of a narcissistic divorce, material possessions like money, vacations, gifts, cars, and electronics are wielded as tools to manipulate and win over the children. For instance, in a case from my book, a father attempted to secure his 12-year-old’s loyalty by purchasing a lavish $100,000 car. Narcissistic Spying and Hacking Top Secret Shhhhh During a divorce, narcissists frequently escalate their malevolent tactics to safeguard what they consider exclusively theirs. They breach legal and ethical boundaries by resorting to tactics such as hacking into your email, spying on your actions, and collecting data on every aspect of your life. Some may even employ keyloggers to monitor your typing, enabling them to access information like your lawyer communications, evidence collection, and interactions with your therapist without even being physically present in your home. TracyAMalone Narcissistic Seeds of Doubt Narcissists sow the seeds of doubt, hoping to cultivate the garden of their control. TracyAMalone Narcissistic Deception Narcissists are skilled artisans of deception, weaving intricate webs of lies to obscure their true intentions and manipulate those around them. TracyAMalone Narcissistic Divorce Obstruction Narcissists excel in obstruction, coveting control, and the courtroom becomes their stage and weapon. They launch relentless attacks on your team for the slightest oversight, all while consistently failing to submit their own paperwork. TracyAMalone Narcissists – how sweet… TracyAMalone Lovebombing Lovebombing is a captivating and pleasurable experience. It’s not limited to the initial stages of a relationship; rather, it can cyclically resurface, depending on the abuser’s mood. If you become upset and withdraw, they often revert to lovebombing tactics to maintain a close connection because they are not pursuing you per se but are in pursuit of the emotional supply you provide, which they are reluctant to be without, at least “for the moment.” Narcissistic House con Narcissists exhibit remarkable cunning during the lovebombing phase. They create such a whirlwind romance that the target feels swept off their feet, often believing they are the luckiest person alive. However, this intensity masks the trap. The deception emerges when they convince you to sell your home and jointly invest in a new one, using primarily your own money. TracyAMalone Home Sweet home Narcissists the cost Victim scorecards TracyAMalone The losses people face when going through a divorce with a narcissist are staggering, profoundly painful, and life-altering. It frequently entails the loss of one’s financial stability, the social rift of losing friends who sided with the narcissist, the potential loss of one’s home and most belongings, and, in some cases, even the loss of access to one’s own children. Friends may find themselves at a loss for words and offer little guidance beyond reassuring you that you will eventually recover. Despite feeling battered, defeated, and disheartened, you press forward because there is no clear path for rebuilding the devastation left in the wake of divorcing a narcissist. Narcissist Gaslighting the children Gaslighting is a manipulative and abusive tactic, often targeting those who are unaware of the deception. Having your experiences invalidated can be deeply confusing and distressing. A more troubling aspect of a narcissist’s strategy is when they extend gaslighting to your children. Exploiting the child’s natural empathy, they manipulate the truth, leading the children to doubt and turn against you. TracyAMalone Narcissistic Stalking “Every move you make, every breath you take, I’ll be watching you!” These lyrics take on a distressing reality when a narcissist resorts to stalking their former spouse during a divorce. They may go to extreme lengths, even hiring teams to track their ex-partner, frequently changing vehicles to evade detection. This relentless surveillance is intended to keep the victim in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety, aligning with the narcissist’s objectives. It’s crucial for the victim to document this behavior, gather evidence, inform their legal counsel, and assess whether involving law enforcement is necessary for their safety TracyAMalone Narcissist Recovery Freedom Recovery from narcissistic abuse typically entails a lengthy journey. It involves emerging from the depths of darkness and pain, tending to the wounds inflicted by the abuse as your primary mission. Summon the strength to distance yourself as soon as possible. The sense of freedom awaiting you on the other side of recovery will be truly astonishing. TracyAMalone A Narcissist Would rather… A narcissist would sooner endure great personal discomfort than part with what they perceive as exclusively theirs. Tracy AMalone Narcissist Difficult conversations TracyAMalone A narcissist’s incapacity for difficult conversations is often compounded by their use of word salad, projection, and blame-shifting. This manipulative behavior can swiftly turn the tables, leaving the victim unable to effectively communicate. Narcissistic Distraction Narcissists wield distraction as a weapon, skillfully diverting attention from their own flaws and manipulations, leaving others bewildered and vulnerable. TracyAMalone Narcissistic Money Raging Narcissists harbor a strong aversion to parting with any money to their ex-partners and the parents of their children. Their response to this situation often involves engaging in contentious litigation, where they fight dirty and display a total absence of empathy for the financial ruin they may cause. TracyAMalone Narcissists use Children as pawns A narcissistic parent often manipulates their children to turn them against the other parent, using them as pawns to inflict emotional harm. This manipulation takes a strong hold on the child’s mind, erasing all positive memories of the other parent. As the children align with the narcissistic parent, you grapple with the painful awareness that they are being TracyAMalone controlled solely to cause you pain. They distance themselves from you, leaving your heart shattered, and you find yourself living with a child who harbors unfounded resentment against you. Narcissistic Cheating projection Narcissists are well-known for their penchant for projection, deflecting blame onto their victims for the very behaviors they engage in themselves. They also have a reputation for infidelity, driven by an insatiable craving for constant validation. To conceal their own unfaithfulness, they often resort to accusing their partner of being unfaithful in a classic case of projection. TracyAMalone