Narcissistic abuse is a throw in ofemotional abuseinflicted by a person who hasnarcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
The article also discusses how to get help if you are being abused by a narcissist.
They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

martin-dm/Getty Images
you might also text START to 88788, or visit the website tochatwith a counselor.
martin-dm/Getty Images
What Is Narcissistic Abuse?
People with narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated sense of self.
They believe themselves to be special and are often preoccupied with fantasies of success in relationships and at work.
They have a need for admiration and have difficulty empathizing with others.
A word, an expression would be taken against me.
Another described a male who flew off the handle and screamed insults while throwing a tantrum for hours.
NPD is a medical condition that only a healthcare provider can diagnose.
However, narcissistic abuse does share similar warning signs with other abusive behaviors, including physical and emotional abuse.
Controlling Behavior
Abusers often have a go at control their victims.
In some cases, these control patterns can result in stalking behaviors and violence.
Gaslighting and Censorship
Gaslightingis a form of emotional abuse andmanipulationthat causes you to question your reality.
They may make a run at control what you say or even what you think.
They may threaten or punish you for speaking out against their wishes.
Its not uncommon for abusers to become violent if you break the rules of isolation theyve imposed.
At the same time, isolation keeps victims trapped.
These behaviors can give the narcissistic abuser a sense of control and a way to intimidate you.
Verbal attacks can escalate into threats.
An abuser might threaten you or the people and things you love, including your pets.
Sometimes an abuser will threaten self-harm as a way to control you.
Narcissistic Abuse Cycle
Some psychologists talk about a narcissistic abuse cycle or acycle of abusemore broadly.
This is helpful to some people, who can recognize a pattern in their own experience with an abuser.
It also can help you to know what narcissists do to their victims for help others.
Heres what a cycle of abuse may look like.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline rejects the idea of an abuse cycle.
People who have experienced manipulation and abuse often feel confused and may blame themselves for their partners behavior.
Or, it may lead people to stay in unhealthy relationships.
Common effects of emotional abuse include:
Getting Help
No one deserves to be abused.
In some cases, a counselor can help you and your partner develop healthier communication patterns.
A counselor will also help you set healthy boundaries and understand what behavior is unacceptable.
Remember, emotional abuse is abuse and should never be tolerated.
Summary
Narcissistic abuse is emotional abuse perpetrated by someone who is a narcissist.
People who have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) lack empathy and need constant admiration.
These abusers often behave within specific patterns that cause harm to others, including life partners and work colleagues.
Knowing these patterns can help you to avoid or heal from an abusive relationship.
Day NJS, Townsend ML, Grenyer BFS.Living with pathological narcissism: a qualitative study.Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul.
2018;9:422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00422
Scott R, Freckelton I.Narcissistic rage and the murder of Allison Baden-Clay.Psychiatr Psychol Law.
2017;25(1):131-151. doi:10.1080/13218719.2017.1379113
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Narcissism and abuse.
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Warning signs of abuse.
2016;3:14. doi:10.1186/s40479-016-0046-0
National Domestic Violence Hotline.What is gaslighting?
2021 Oct 4;40:e2020385.
CASA Pinellas.5 Warning signs of narcissistic abuse.
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Types of abuse.
Howard V.Recognising narcissistic abuse and the implications for mental health nursing practice.Issues Ment Health Nurs.
2019;40(8):644-654. doi:10.1080/01612840.2019.1590485
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Is abuse really a cycle?
Womens Law.Emotional and psychological abuse.