It’s  that time of year when family get together, unfortunately it’s also a time when narcissistic never do wells reappear with a new sad story. Below is some advice on how to deal with them.

Listen up, 5 tricks a narcissistic person use to finish you.

If you’re entangled with a narcissistic person, know this: they have mastered the art of manipulation. They go to extreme lengths to impress strangers, putting on a flawless, charming act in public while treating you—the person they claim to love—with contempt behind closed doors. It’s a well-crafted game: they build a shining public image so that if you ever speak up about their toxic behavior, others won’t believe you. They’ll see them as the perfect, kind, caring person and question your perspective instead. This two-faced approach is designed to isolate you, making you feel trapped and questioning your own reality.

Narcissistic people use calculated, dangerous tactics to keep you confused, controlled, and emotionally drained. Here are five key strategies they use to manipulate you and protect their own image.

1. Love Bombing to Create Dependency

In the beginning, they will overwhelm you with affection, admiration, and attention. This phase is called love bombing, and it’s designed to make you feel like you’re the most important person in their world. They will shower you with compliments, spend as much time with you as possible, and make you believe they are “the one.” This is a trap, meant to hook you emotionally and create a deep sense of dependency. Once you’re fully invested, the love bombing stops, and the real game begins. Robert Greene’s “The Art of Seduction” details how manipulators use charm as a weapon, hooking you only to later reveal their true intentions.

2. Gaslighting to Distort Your Reality

One of the most insidious tactics narcissists use is gaslighting. They will twist conversations, deny things they have said or done, and make you doubt your memory and perception. They may say something hurtful, then deny it happened when you confront them, making you question your sanity. The goal is to destabilize you mentally, so you start doubting your own judgment. In “The 48 Laws of Power,” Robert Greene discusses how controlling someone’s perception is one of the strongest forms of manipulation. By distorting your reality, they weaken your confidence and make you more controllable.

3. Triangulation to Create Jealousy and Self-Doubt

Narcissistic people will often bring a third party into the mix to make you feel insecure and keep you off balance. This is known as triangulation. They may casually mention how much another person respects or admires them. This tactic serves two purposes: it boosts their ego and keeps you feeling insecure. By constantly comparing you to others, they undermine your self-worth and keep you chasing their approval. Triangulation is a classic tactic to create jealousy, control, and emotional chaos.

4. Playing the Victim to Manipulate Sympathy

When a narcissistic person gets called out or faces conflict, they will  often play the victim card, making it seem as though they are the one suffering. They may cry, act hurt, or claim that you’re mistreating them—all while ignoring their own toxic behavior. This tactic is meant to manipulate sympathy, both from you and from others. By casting themselves as the victim, they make you feel guilty and responsible, keeping you locked in the relationship out of obligation. In “The 48 Laws of Power,” Greene warns of those who manipulate others through sympathy, turning vulnerability into a weapon.

5. Constantly Shifting the Blame to Keep You on the Defensive

A narcissistic person will rarely, if ever, take responsibility for their actions. Instead, they will constantly shift the blame back onto you, making you feel like you’re always at fault. If you bring up their hurtful behavior, they will deflect and point out your shortcomings, leaving you feeling guilty and questioning yourself. This tactic keeps you on the defensive, diverting attention away from their flaws and putting the burden on you. By keeping you in a constant state of self-doubt, they maintain control and avoid accountability. This shifting blame tactic is common among manipulators who avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

The Bottom Line

Dealing with a narcissistic person is like playing a rigged game where every move you make seems to turn against you. they will use love bombing to hook you, gaslighting to control your perception, triangulation to keep you insecure, victimhood to manipulate sympathy, and blame-shifting to keep you on the defensive. If you find yourself constantly doubting your reality, questioning your worth, or feeling isolated, it’s a red flag you’re dealing with a narcissist.

To protect yourself, stay alert, recognize these tactics for what they are, and remember that you don’t have to endure emotional manipulation disguised as love. Set firm boundaries, protect your mental health, and be prepared to walk away if these toxic patterns persist. Don’t let their curated public image fool you—behind closed doors, their true colors will eventually show. Stand strong, trust your intuition, and refuse to be another pawn in their game.

Original article was by Aklahyel Goni on facebook