Ignoring a narcissist: what consequences?

Ignoring a narcissist: what consequences?

A need for constant recognition, excessive ego, or toxic and victimizing behaviors. Do we know how to get away from a narcissistic person?

Ignoring a narcissist: what consequences?

Last update: December 15, 2022

There can be several reasons why you want to be the center of attention: a professional success, a certain skill or a new look. It is also true that some individuals need constant recognition; we refer to narcissists. But what if you decide to ignore a narcissist?



Narcissistic people need the admiration of others and always want to have Messier first. Another typical trait is the inability to be empathetic.

People with whom it can be very difficult to build a relationship, especially when we don't fulfill their desires for constant attention.

Traits of narcissistic people

According to the definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), narcissistic people have very clear character traits.

Among these are delusion of grandeur, a prevailing need for admiration and a lack of empathy. To become the center of all eyes, they can adopt several strategies, including seduction.

Although not in a romantic way, these people are able to persuade those around them so that they satisfy their ego.

Due to the greatness they attribute to themselves, they claim to be the best at everything. And if they feel that someone is better than them, they tend to despise that person. In some cases, it might even humiliate.

These toxic traits often show the narcissist's true personality. And that is why many around them try to distance themselves from them.

Ignoring a narcissist

At some point in the relationship, it is normal to reject or ignore a narcissist, but this can present several complications. First of all, the person will feel frustrated when they are not accepted from someone around her.



Narcissists believe that being a part of their life is a privilege that the other person should be grateful for. This is due to the superior image they have of themselves. Here because they do not conceive of a friend, family member or partner rejecting them.

They feel the need to project an immaculate image in tune with social desirability in order to accept themselves. When their game is not played out, therefore, their fragility is exposed.

These thoughts and feelings can lead the narcissist to behave aggressively. He feels damaged in his ego, which triggers his anger because he wants to prove that he is better than the person who turned him away.

On one side, the narcissist will have an obsessive behavior towards the person who ignores him. On the outside, however, he will make the rest of society believe that he is the one who ended the relationship.

A narcissistic person cannot bear the idea of ​​others finding out that they have been rejected, as they will consider it a humiliation. This is because of his idea of ​​superiority.

Things not to do with a narcissist

But that's not the only risk when dealing with narcissistic people. They are complex personalities that can cause toxic situations. To avoid this, some tips help to relate to these individuals:

  • Don't feed their ego. Since narcissists need constant recognition, it's important not to feed their ego. They will ask for compliments and gestures of approval, but we shouldn't give them tools with which to manipulate us.


  • Don't justify yourself. On many occasions, a narcissist will use sarcasm or ask compromising questions to make us feel guilty about our decisions. However, we don't have to justify our decisions or our feelings. The more we do this, the more we risk them taking advantage of us or making us doubt ourselves.



  • Don't relativize their behavior. When one of our friends has a narcissistic disorder, we tend to relativize her behavior. It may be understandable, since that person is our friend. But we should never justify their toxic and complacent attitudes, as they can turn against us.

  • Don't expect them to take their responsibilities. Narcissistic people blame others for their problems. They never consider themselves the cause of their own misfortunes. That's why, when you have something to blame them, don't expect them to take responsibility for their actions.

  • Don't expect empathy. One of the most unique traits of narcissists is a profound lack of empathy. When it comes time to meet the needs of others, they will most likely prefer to deal with their own problems.


Ignoring a narcissist and possible consequences

Dealing with these people can be tricky; especially when they are against us. That's why we need to take into account toxic attitudes we can witness when we decide to ignore a narcissist.

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