{"id":86071,"date":"2023-05-13T16:47:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-13T16:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=86071"},"modified":"2025-08-21T06:50:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T06:50:42","slug":"weird-things-narcissists-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/weird-things-narcissists-do\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Weird Things Narcissists Do That Make You Watchful"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86075\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Shutterstock_2161635261.jpg\" alt=\"Girlfriend saying sorry to boyfriend\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a relationship with a narcissist may be exhausting and confusing due to their erratic behavior. The strange behaviors, such as gaslighting and love bombing, can be challenging. This article will discuss some of the most weird things narcissists do, providing some advice on how to avoid being manipulated.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-do-narcissists-trick-you\"><\/span><b>How do narcissists trick you?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissism and manipulation go hand in hand.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists use gaslighting tactics to make you question your memory and sanity and then love to bomb you with compliments and presents to reel you back in. They also project their faults onto others, making you feel unworthy and reliant. It&rsquo;s a vicious cycle of control and abuse that narcissists are experts at this.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-are-some-things-a-narcissist-would-say-in-a-relationship\"><\/span><b>What are some things a narcissist would say in a relationship?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To exert power and influence over you, the weird things narcissists do may use a variety of tactics, including lying. They may tell you you&rsquo;re overreacting, overly sensitive, or even insane. They might make you feel uncomfortable and reliant on their praise by criticizing your looks, IQ, or career.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4fQH2sNoVL0?si=7mqeg6TcKSh7youa\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">&#65279;<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"subscribeYT_highlight\"><div class=\"subscribe_channel\">\r\n            <div class=\"subscribe_text\">Join millions <span class=\"sub_text1\">building healthier, happier<\/span> <span class=\"sub_text2\"> relationships.<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <a class=\"subscribe-btn-in-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Marriagedotcom?sub_confirmation=1\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n            <img src=\"\/images\/youtube_icon_small.png\" class=\"icon-left\" alt=\"YouTube\">\r\n            <span>Subscribe<\/span>\r\n            <img src=\"\/images\/bell_icon_new.svg\" class=\"icon-right\" alt=\"Extra Icon\">\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists in relationships often injure their partners by making empty promises or committing to things they have no intention of following through on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/grady-shumway\">Grady Shumway<\/a> highlights,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists frequently hurt their partners by making empty promises or commitments without any intention of following through, creating a cycle of disappointment and emotional pain. Their words can leave lasting scars, making it difficult for partners to trust their own feelings and experiences.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15-strange-behaviors-associated-with-narcissists\"><\/span><b>15 strange behaviors associated with narcissists<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A narcissistic personality disorder is a mental illness that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK556001\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">causes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> people to be arrogant, only care about themselves, and not care about other people. People with this problem may act in several strange ways. Here are 15 weird things narcissists often do.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Lack of accountability<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the weirdest things narcissists do is their unwillingness to accept responsibility for their behavior. They fail to accept responsibility for their errors or the hurt they have caused, leaving their victims powerless and dissatisfied.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do narcissists do, then- they pass the responsibility to someone else, frequently manipulating the facts to fit their version of events.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/accountability-in-relationships\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 Easy Ways to Take More Accountability in Relationships<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>2. Gaslighting and manipulating reality<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another method narcissists use is to misunderstand what you say, causing you to doubt your recollection and recall. They use this to weaken your trust and manipulate how you view reality. They may influence you into believing anything they want you to believe by sowing the seed of doubt in your mind.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Lying, victim-playing, and self-aggrandizement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists will lie and use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bpded.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s40479-020-00132-8\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">manipulative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> methods to make you feel guilty in order to acquire what they want. They are good at playing the victim, which they will utilize to gain sympathy and attention from others around them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To feel superior, they inflate their own accomplishments while downplaying those of others.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Playing the card to gain sympathy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most dangerous characteristics and weird things narcissists do is their ability to make you feel sorry for them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will put on a victim act to obtain sympathy and attention, making you feel responsible for looking after them. This might leave you exhausted and depleted, with little energy to care for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Insincere apologies<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists seldom, if ever, apologize, and when they do, it is usually disingenuous. They will use this situation to manipulate you and make you feel terrible for not forgiving them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weird things narcissists do include using your flaws, leveraging them to acquire control, and turning them against you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Punishing with silence<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists frequently utilize silence as a kind of punishment. They will make you feel uneasy and unsure of what to say or do, leaving you alienated and alone. They charm people, making it easy for them to influence those around them.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/break-relationship-silence\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Break Silence in a Relationship: 10 Simple Steps<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>7. Explosive outbursts and violence<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a narcissist is upset, they might have unreasonable outbursts and even engage in violence. They will use any measures necessary to keep control, even physical force. This can be particularly harmful to anyone in close contact with them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86074\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Shutterstock_1639532770.jpg\" alt=\"Selfish girl\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Seeking admiration<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists are always attempting to get the respect and admiration of others. They want to be considered important and successful, even if it means sacrificing the people around them. They will minimize and disparage your successes in order to make you feel as if you have accomplished nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Blaming others&nbsp;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the weird things narcissists do to avoid taking responsibility for their own failings is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/blame-shifting-in-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blame-shifting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They will always blame others for their issues, never accepting responsibility for their own acts. This strategy will be used to make you feel guilty and influence you into doing what they want.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Creating a false image and entitlement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists will alter their surroundings to make themselves look more capable. They will utilize their charm and charisma to achieve their objectives, often at the expense of others around them. They have an overinflated feeling of importance and entitlement, believing they are superior to everyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>11. The constant need to outdo others<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In every interaction, they want to outdo you. Narcissists will constantly strive to outdo you with their own tale or experience, no matter what you say. They must be able to bear being outdone and being the center of attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>12. Unrealistic expectations&nbsp;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few more weird things that narcissists do is to make unrealistic expectations and become irritated if you do not accommodate them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists frequently have unreasonable expectations of others and expect others to attend to their every whim. When you fail to match their expectations, they will blame you for their disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>13. Deception through &ldquo;love bombing&rdquo;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They use &ldquo;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/recognizing-love-bombing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">love bombing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&rdquo; to deceive you. A narcissist will lavish you with attention, gifts, and comments at the start of a relationship to make you feel unique and cherished. Once they have you hooked, they will begin to withdraw their affection and use it as a tool to control you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>14. Passive-aggressive behavior as a form of punishment<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To punish you, they employ passive-aggressive behavior, as per <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/journals\/bjpsych-advances\/article\/current-understanding-of-narcissism-and-narcissistic-personality-disorder\/4AA8B04FB352F8E00AA7988B63EBE973\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Narcissists frequently use passive-aggressive methods to exert control over others around them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists may employ the silent treatment, snarky comments, or other subtle methods to make you feel guilty and humiliated. This form of behavior is intended to punish you for failing to match their expectations, and it may be extremely detrimental to your self-esteem and mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>15. Sabotaging others&rsquo; achievements to maintain control<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists despise the thought of others outshining them. To keep control, they may try to ruin your achievement or notoriety. They may minimize your accomplishments or give inadequate advice. Their actions are motivated by a strong need for adoration and control and can impair your personal and professional development.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/self-sabotaging-in-relationships\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self Sabotaging Relationships: Causes, Signs &amp; Ways to Stop<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch this video to learn why narcissists treat others this way:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J4yraZiJ9D8\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">&#65279;<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some-commonly-asked-questions\"><\/span><b>Some commonly asked questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dealing with a narcissist may be emotionally taxing because of how they operate. You may be able to influence their behavior and shield yourself against manipulation if you&rsquo;re prepared for a variety of scenarios.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this section, we&rsquo;ll address some of the most often-asked issues concerning <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/counseling\/dealing-with-narcissists-setting-boundaries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dealing with a narcissist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the things narcissists say and do.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>What does silence do to a narcissist?<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narcissists rely on attention and validation, and when they don&rsquo;t get it, they might get aggressive or angered when they don&rsquo;t get it from others.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may take away the power that a narcissist has over you and protect yourself from being influenced by them if you refuse to participate in conversation with them or react in a tone that is neutral.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it is essential to remember that trying to deceive or trick a narcissist can be risky.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re dealing with a particularly challenging situation, it is best to seek the assistance or direction of a professional. Therefore, exercise extreme caution with how to trick a narcissist and put your own safety and well-being ahead of everything else.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>How does a narcissist react when they can&rsquo;t control their target?<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a narcissist is unable to maintain control over their victim, they may become angry, aggressive, or even violent. This is because they view their victim as a reflection of themselves.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The weird things narcissists do is try to shift the burden onto their target or make them feel guilty for not complying with their demands.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86073\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Shutterstock_2184585757.jpg\" alt=\"Angry married couple\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another tactic they might use is to blame the victim for the situation. It is essential to remember that narcissists frequently have an obsession with themselves and their own pursuits, which can be seen in the activities they participate in during their leisure time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, if you are curious about &ldquo;what narcissists do in their spare time?&rdquo; The answer is that they likely spend that time either concentrating on themselves or participating in activities that they believe reflect favorably on them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>What happens when a narcissist knows I figured them out?<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a narcissist realizes that you have decoded their behavior, they may try to exert more influence over you by manipulating you. They could also become combative or defensive, denying that they have any problems or laying the blame for their behavior squarely on your shoulders.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/grady-shumway\">Grady Shumway<\/a> highlights,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They might deny their issues and shift the blame onto you, using tactics like twisting your words or gaslighting. Remember, narcissists are unlikely to change, so it&rsquo;s crucial to prioritize your safety and seek support to maintain your emotional well-being. Setting boundaries is key to protecting yourself.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is essential to be aware of the things <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/covert-narcissist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">covert narcissists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> say in an argument, such as twisting your words, playing the victim, or gaslighting you into thinking that you are the problem.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it is essential to remember that a narcissist cannot be changed, and the most effective thing you can do is safeguard yourself and seek help in this situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final-thoughts\"><\/span><b>Final thoughts<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coping with narcissism and manipulation can be difficult, but it is essential to keep in mind that you are not the only person dealing with these issues.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeking out individual counseling or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/counseling\/\"><b>couples therapy<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as a method to gather support and discover tactics for protecting yourself from narcissistic behavior might be an excellent way to approach the situation.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that you can exert control over your life and the relationships in it and that you deserve to be treated with respect and care in return.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will be able to cultivate healthy connections and lead a life that is rewarding if you can recognize the weird things covert narcissists do and learn how to defend yourself from them.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having a relationship with a narcissist may be exhausting and confusing due to their erratic behavior. The strange behaviors, such as gaslighting and love bombing, can be challenging. This article will discuss some of the most weird things narcissists do, providing some advice on how to avoid being manipulated. How do narcissists trick you? Narcissism and manipulation go hand in hand.&nbsp; Narcissists use gaslighting tactics to make you question your memory and sanity and then love to bomb you with compliments and presents to reel you back in. They also project their faults onto others, making you feel unworthy and <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1363,"featured_media":86075,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2507],"tags":[2722],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86071"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1363"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86071"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111877,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86071\/revisions\/111877"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86075"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}