{"id":34212,"date":"2017-03-09T06:00:32","date_gmt":"2017-03-09T14:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=34212"},"modified":"2024-01-10T16:46:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T21:46:32","slug":"how-a-person-with-narcissism-responds-to-a-perceived-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/how-person-with-narcissism-responds-to-perceived-offense-0309174","title":{"rendered":"How a Person with Narcissism Responds to a Perceived Offense"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PersonMany people are simply not educated on the concept of the \u201cnarcissistic wound,\u201d also known as the narcissistic injury, and are in for a wrath beyond comprehension when they offend a person with narcissism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When offended, a typical person might experience hurt feelings or feel insulted or angry. However, the offended\u00a0person might ultimately talk it through with the individual who committed the transgression, with a willingness to repair the relationship and move on. This can take time.<\/p>\n

In general, bonds are developed and strengthened through the process of \u201crupture and repair.\u201d People learn to handle insecurities<\/a> in a relationship by building trust<\/a> over time as they see each rupture or conflict in the relationship eventually leads to a deeper connection or repair.<\/p>\n

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Find a Therapist<\/a><\/h2>\n\t
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Not so in the narcissistic relationship.\u00a0Offending a person with narcissism can lead to immediate, lasting, and perhaps irreparable fallout.<\/p>\n

When dealing with a person with narcissism, the rules are different. This is true in all aspects of the relationship, but for this article, the focus is on the narcissistic wound. These types of wounds are unlike other types of interpersonal ruptures. These differences are listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Typical Rupture<\/strong><\/td>\nNarcissistic Wound<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hurt feelings<\/td>\nShame attack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reaction tends to match offense<\/td>\nExtreme overreaction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
May result in anger<\/td>\nResults in rage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
May take time to repair<\/td>\nCauses existential threat to relationship<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is eventually resolved<\/td>\nIs never resolved<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Normal<\/td>\nPathological<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Same personality, just more angry<\/td>\nDr. Jekyll becomes Mr. Hyde<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Offended person may react with anger, withdrawal, or repairable retaliation<\/td>\nPerson with narcissism reacts with punishment, banishment, devaluing, or discarding of offender<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Why People with Narcissism React Differently<\/h2>\n

Why do people with narcissism react so vehemently when threatened by a seemingly minor offense? The answer is complicated:<\/p>\n