5 Ways Sociopaths Try To Hurt You

Jul 19, 2018

If you've ever encountered a sociopath or a narcissist, you know that they will do all they can to make you feel bad. Because they are so wrapped up in themselves, they are either unwilling or unable to see how their actions affect the people around. You can't easily tell them to stop being selfish and manipulative, but you can protect yourself by knowing when they're trying to get the best of you.

Here are five key phrases commonly used by these people to look out for:

1. "I don't want drama."

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This might sound like a perfectly reasonable sentiment and a sign that someone won't be difficult to be around. However, sociopaths tend to use the claim that they abhor drama as an excuse to make you validate everything that they do. The reality is, they tend to live off of drama like nothing else. As sociopaths, they've had plenty of relationships fall through precisely because they are so locked into drama that hardly anyone else can stand to be around them. If you tell them this, they won't take the message to heart. Instead, they'll gaslight you and insist that you're the one who is being dramatic.

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2. "You're [blank]"

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Narcissists are all about deflection. They never take the time for honest self-evaluation. Instead, they validate themselves by invalidating you. Anything that is wrong with them can be found to be wrong with you and a much bigger rate. It's beyond immature, but it works for lots of them, because those who are actually empathetic to the needs of others can believe that they are causing problems. In reality though, the narcissist is the one to blame.

3. "Stop being so sensitive."

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Narcissists love hurting feelings, but they hate being told they've done so. It's never their fault for being cruel. Instead, it's your fault for having the audacity to even have feelings. You can't easily speak up against them, because they'll act like you are being insensitive to them. Then, they'll just find more ammunition to use against you and make you feel worse.

4. "You don't understand"

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When confronted and called out, a narcissist isn't going to claim defeat and acknowledge their toxicity. Instead, they're going to put the blame on you for being dense. They'll claim that it wasn't their rude comment or manipulative behavior that was the problem. Instead, it was your fault for not taking their abuse in the logical way they intended. Not only do they want to make you feel inferior, they also want to make you feel stupid.

5. "You need me"

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It can be so difficult to get away from a narcissist, because they are masters of manipulation. An experienced narcissist knows not to abuse you 24/7. Instead, they'll pepper it in gradually while showing you affection. This can create a strange paradox inside of you. After all, if they're so abusive, why are they nice to you at time? However, there is no such thing as a positive relationship where one of the parties is routinely cruel and manipulative. You don't need a narcissist in your life.

If you have been with a narcissist, we hope that this article provided some sort of help. We invite you to let us know your thoughts on it and any suggestions you have. Show it to your friends as well and discuss any relationship problems you've dealt with.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!