What happens when narcissists know you're onto them?
Reactions largely depend on the person, situation, and the severity of their mental health condition.
However, in nearly all cases, when a narcissist realizes you are done with a relationship, they don't react well.
The same goes when you confront them with accusations or threatening facts.
Therefore, it's wise to prepare before engaging a narcissist with challenging information.
But before we unpack the nuts and bolts of dealing with a narcissist who knows you're onto them, let's make a distinction.
Everyday narcissism — aka self-centeredness — is a common human trait we're all afflicted with due to our hardwired survival instincts.
In fact, most of us are more self-centered than we realize.
However, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) — which affects about 5% of the population — is an extreme behavioral condition rooted in childhood trauma that causes carriers to cling to a grandiose sense of self.
People with NPD aggressively reject criticism of all kinds, and things typically grow tense when they're confronted with hard truths.
