Treatment FAQ

why do narcissist do the silent treatment if they find new supply

by Mr. Barton Haley DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Silent treatment basically is avoidance. It’s avoiding responsibility, blame, and projecting upon others by playing the victim. And the last example is a very practical reason, which is that the narcissist could use silent treatment or disappearance in order to gain new narcissistic supply and spend time with possible new victims.

The Purpose of the Silent Treatment
Essentially, the point of the silent treatment is to make the victim feel confused, stressed, guilty, ashamed, not good enough, or unstable enough so that they would do what the manipulator wants.
Mar 12, 2020

Full Answer

How to get a narcissist to break the silent treatment?

Why We Give the Silent Treatment — And What to Do About It

  1. You Can’t Reward the Behavior. Many people find that appeasing the withdrawing person, and letting them sulk and stew or coaxing them out of it, as tantamount to giving ...
  2. Give Yourself Some Alone Time. In addition to picturing the silent person as a small baby in diapers, crying, I also like leaving. ...
  3. Talk — At the Right Time. ...
  4. Don’t Engage. ...

Why should we not trust a narcissist?

You can not trust a narcissist!! He will lie and present you the story from his point of view which is a distortion of reality. His story will change according to the situation, his advantage and the audience. Even confronted with proves he will lie, lie and lie some more but never does he take responsibility for his facts.

What does silent treatment by a narcissist mean?

The silent treatment is a manipulation tactic where a toxic narcissist will stop talking to you for days, hours, weeks, or even months to punish you for some perceived slight. It can cause severe emotional and psychological damage if you don’t realize what is happening. What is the goal of the silent treatment?

Why is there no cure for a narcissist?

Unfortunately for the NPD there is no medical treatment or cure for People with Narcissism. Research is lacking in this area tremendously! It is sad for the person affected by this personality disorder. And they will continue to ruin lives of others because they lack love, caring, support, kindness and thoughtfulness.

What does a narcissist do with silent treatment?

Why was silent treatment delivered with surgical precision?

What happens when you fail to cross your borders?

Why do I not want to talk to my SO?

Does everyone do silent treatment?

About this website

image

What happens when a narcissist finds a new supply?

The narcissist has no incentive to change for the new supply, just as they had no incentive to change with you. The world revolves around the narcissist – or so they believe. People come into their lives when they need to use them and are discarded when they are done.

How does a narcissist react to indifference from his supply?

Once he gives up on his erstwhile Sources of Supply, the narcissist proceeds to promptly and peremptorily devalue and discard them. This is often done by simply ignoring them - a facade of indifference that is known as the "silent treatment" and is, at heart, hostile and aggressive.

Do narcissists treat their new supply differently?

Do Narcissists Treat Their New Supply Differently? No, not at all.. The narc has zero sense of self therefore they will continue doing what they have always done. They will Lovebomb, Devalue, Discard, and Hoover you for weeks, months, and years.

Does the silent treatment mean you have been discarded by the narcissist?

People with narcissistic tendencies tend to see people as objects to meet their needs and will discard when it is no longer met or the person adds no value. Their pattern of relationship is to idealise, devalue and then discard. Silent treatment is a temporary discard.

How does a narcissist feel when you go no contact while they are doing the same to you?

They can be moody, angry and irritable A narcissist struggles with no in-person contact because they utilize body language to communicate, get their needs met, and maintain control. They have low self-esteem, and without validation, they can come become moody, angry, and irritable.

What does cutting off all contact with a narcissist do to them?

Breaking up with a narcissist is likely to be a draining experience. Either they won't let you go without a fight, or they will discard you without looking back. Both experiences are extremely hurtful.

Do narcissists come back after new supply?

So, in short, the answer is yes, a narcissist will continue to come back after “no contact” until their targets cut off all forms of narcissistic supply, leaving them no choice but to go find other prey upon which to feed.

Do narcissist miss their supply?

Narcissists hate losing their supply of attention, so they won't let you go easily. Prepare for them to promise "to change." They might suddenly start doing things for you that you'd been complaining about. They may say "you'll be lost without me," or "you'll never find someone like me." Don't listen, Orloff advises.

Why do narcissists go back to their old supply?

Narcissists require continual supply and sometimes they don't have a new relationship or they haven't properly trained their new partner to give them what they need. They need that familiar relationship, the one where they knew how to control a person and extract the supply they needed.

How do you respond to a narcissist silent treatment?

Tell the person how the silent treatment hurts and leaves you feeling frustrated and alone. That's not what you want or need in a relationship. Explain that you can't resolve issues this way, then be specific about those issues. If this sort of behavior is a relationship deal-breaker for you, state it plainly.

Will a narcissist leave you alone if you ignore them?

It really is all about him. Essentially, narcissists thrive on using others as a source to make them feel important, loved, cherished. If you ignore a narcissist and deny them their source, they may become enraged and try even harder for your attention – especially in ways that can be toxic or abusive.

How do you know if a narcissist is finished with you?

How to Know if a Narcissist Is Finished with You They show no emotion. They criticize you constantly. They blame you for everything. They're always irritated or angry. They pick fights over trivial things. They take advantage of you. They withhold physical affection. They accuse you of cheating.More items...•

Why do narcissists use silent treatment?

A common reason is that they could try to punish you because you have hurt their ego, you had slight criticism, or you simply didn’t do what they expected or wanted you to do. The silent treatment could also be a response to you setting a healthy boundary or saying ‘no’ to something. Another reason to use it is to have control. Their aim can be to make you feel powerless and to control your behaviour.

What is the silent treatment used by narcissists?

A very common form of manipulation used by narcissists is the silent treatment. When a narcissist uses the silent treatment, it can be a very draining and painful experience. It’s passive-aggressive and it can be very frustrating and result in a lot of stress and anxiety.

What is the difference between silent treatment and narcissistic treatment?

The difference with a narcissist using the silent treatment is that a narcissist will not be able to speak about it afterwards, they will not take any responsibility, or admit they were hurt and used the silent treatment because of that.

What does it mean when someone uses silent treatment?

Now, using the silent treatment doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is a narcissist or a toxic person . It can also be a sign of someone emotionally immature. A normal person, however, will let you know if they need some time to gather thoughts and tell you they will get back to you.

What happens when you are victim of silent treatment?

When victim of the silent treatment, you’re stuck in a game of manipulation instead of having healthy and normal communication. It’s very unhealthy behaviour and when used by narcissists it’s a form of emotional abuse.

Why do we use silent treatment?

Another important reason to use the silent treatment is avoiding responsibility. It could be a response to you wanting to speak about their behaviour or your relationship. Silent treatment basically is avoidance. It’s avoiding responsibility, blame, and projecting upon others by playing the victim.

Why is it important to shift your attention from a narcissist to yourself?

It’s thus very important to shift the attention from the narcissist to yourself again. Your energy will be drained, when your focus is on a narcissist.

How do narcissists gaslight?

Narcissists are known manipulators, and one of their most notorious tactics is to gaslight you through confusion emotional manipulation, and abuse. The silent treatment is the perfect vehicle to accomplish this, and this is especially true of covert narcissists – although their more grandiose counterparts are also skilled at this particular tactic. You know that narcissists enjoy manipulating and gaslighting you. The narcissist loves the idea of you lying awake all night wondering why they are giving you the silent treatment. It actually offers them a certain amount of supply in itself.

What is silent treatment?

The silent treatment is a manipulation tactic where someone will stop talking to you. This painful, uncomfortable silence can go on for days, hours, weeks, or even months in order to punish you for some perceived slight. It can cause serious emotional and psychological damage if you don’t realize what is happening. While people who aren’t narcissists may also use this tactic, it is commonly used among narcissists.

What does it mean when a narcissist throws you into limbo?

With a sudden change in behavior, the narcissist can throw you into limbo, that feeling where you’re lost and not sure what to do or what’s next. For example, when they go from being overly demanding to not saying anything at all, you might be left spinning. They love the idea of you being distracted all day, unable to focus on anything except for what they could be possibly thinking.

Do narcissists have power?

Narcissists thrive on power, as you know . They envision you waiting by your phone waiting for a text, or even for an email. The fact that they will not send you a message or speak to you makes them feel powerful as they control your emotions and productivity.

What does a narcissist do with silent treatment?

The narcissist uses the silent treatment to soften you up, to make you more obedient, more eager to please, more of a slave.

Why was silent treatment delivered with surgical precision?

The silent treatment was delivered with surgical precision because I simply did not meet or supply her with whatever need she wanted from me at the time. Her gaslighting, projections, emotional coldness and shunning behaviors had run their course and I’d started pushing back.

What happens when you fail to cross your borders?

Tried to cross your borders and were unsuccessful. When they fail, they will disappear or give you the silent treatment, believing that when they come back , they can do whatever they want, that you “love” them and missed them so much that you will allow them to cross your borders.

Why do I not want to talk to my SO?

While I’m far from being a Narcissist, I strongly believe that I do not wish to speak to my SO or friends because you’re trying to deal with the disappoint or slight. As adults, we refrain from using hurtful words or actions to hurt someone we care about. Hence, my version of staying quiet is to let the the emotions die down; this is pretty common with highly emotional people.

Does everyone do silent treatment?

Everyone does silent treatment, to a degree, from time to time. It’s just a matter of intensity, duration and cause.

Why do narcissists use silent treatment?

In a relationship with the narcissist, you are their partner aren’t considered as a person with your own will and needs- you are an extension of the narcissist. Due to this , it’s their way or the highway, and they will do whatever it takes to get what they want.

What do narcissists want?

Narcissists want you to feel as though you aren’t worthy of them. They want you to chase them, and if they have to ignore you to make you see that- they most definitely will.

What is a narcissist's sense of self?

Narcissism is characterized by a grandiose sense of self, a lack of empathy, and tumultuous interpersonal relationships. For those who enter a relationship with a narcissist, the behavior of the narcissist can seem downright abusive.

What is stonewalling in a relationship?

Stonewalling is a tool narcissists use to shut down the lines of communication. If they don’t like what you are saying to them- they will completely shut down and refuse to speak to you. Not only is this frustrating and hurtful- but it can also harm you and the relationship.

What happens when a narcissist feels like they have no power?

When a narcissist feels like they have no power- or as though they have the upper hand, they are likely to resort to the silent treatment. This turns the power dynamic upside down, and in their mind gives them the upper hand.

What happens if you don't give a narcissist what they want?

When you don’t give the narcissist what they want- they will resort to manipulation. In their mind, the longer you have without them, the easier it will be for you to give up and give them their way.

What is silent treatment?

The silent treatment is a form of emotional abuse that serves many purposes for the narcissist, and here are the 7 major reasons they use it as their preferred weapon against the people they love most.

What is the silent treatment narcissists use?

Narcissists are fond of using the Silent Treatment as a cruel (but not unusual) punishment for you doing nothing wrong at all and, from experience, I can tell you that the affect of this method of passive-aggressive control is sheer torture. The first time it happened to me, I felt as lost, sad, and helpless as the puppy in the picture.

How long does silent treatment last?

Each silent treatment would last anywhere from two to three days to six weeks to six months before he hoovered back or before my begging at his door and endless onslaught of desperation letters forced him to give in. The Silent Treatment, for my ex and for many others, is a powerful narcissistic ploy and/or tactic and it gets the point across.

What does silence mean?

The silence is meant to hurt you. It is meant to teach you a lesson. And, make no mistake, the silence is always a way for the narcissist to buy himself some free time for being with someone else or for hustling up new sources of supply.

Is it normal to use silent treatment?

Understand that a partner using the Silent Treatment for any type of punishment – let alone one for a crime not committed – is not normal under any circumstances. When a narcissist uses the silent treatment, it is just one more requirement he has filled in the overall pathological relationship agenda. No one ever deserves to feel unworthy of attention or undeserving of love and loyalty. No one …not even one time.

Does silent treatment suck?

No matter how he goes about it or why it happens or when it happens, the Silent Treatment always sucks. The fact that the victim of a narcissistic partner rarely knows why they are receiving the silent treatment only compounds the mental torture.

Understanding Narcissism and Supply

To truly understand why the narc’s new supply will never get a better version of the narcissist, it’s important to understand the nature of the disorder.

How the Narcissist Treats the New Supply

Now to answer the big questions that I know are still gnawing at your insides. Are they truly happy together and is the narcissist actually treating the new supply better?

How to Use Narcissistic Abuse To Become a Better Version of Yourself

As painful as it is to watch, you are now free my friend. You have been damaged and hurt and left with what feels like a broken self.

What is it called when you interact with a narcissist?

If you have ever interacted with a person who exhibits strong narcissistic or other dark personality traits, you have likely experienced what is known as the silent treatment .

Why is silent treatment harmful?

The silent treatment, while sometimes seemingly harmless when talking about it, can be a highly damaging and effective form of manipulation, coercion, and control used by toxic people. It is common, even though many victims feel alone and like they cant talk about it because no one will believe them or understand.

What happens when you silently treat someone?

The point is that the silent treatment results in the victim focusing on themselves and their behavior instead of the behavior of their abuser. Their abuser shifts blame, or shifts focus away from themselves, causing their victims great emotional distress to the point where they will take responsibility for things that they are not responsible for, leaving them confused and in a state of cognitive dissonance.

What is the difference between silent treatment and time out?

The silent treatment, on the other hand, is destructive, indefinite, contemptuous, unilateral, and meant to alleviate the abusers sense of responsibility and allocate all the blame onto the victim. It is a manipulation tactic.

Why is it important to not talk during a time out?

Instead, a time-out just allows people to gather their thoughts and calm their emotions so that they can re-approach one another in a loving and healthy manner at a later time. The time-out is meant to cause clarity and calmness , while the silent treatment results in ambiguity, confusion, and distress.

Why do people take time out?

Instead, a time-out just allows people to gather their thoughts and calm their emotions so that they can re-approach one another in a loving and healthy manner at a later time. The time-out is meant to cause clarity and calmness, while the silent treatment results in ambiguity, confusion, and distress.

What is an example of a child doing something the parent disapproves of?

A child does something the parent disapproves of, often a very minor thing, and the parent starts ignoring them as punishment. It can involve withdrawing attention, ignoring the childs needs, stopping verbal communication, avoiding eye contact, or avoiding any engagement with the child.

What does a narcissist do with silent treatment?

The narcissist uses the silent treatment to soften you up, to make you more obedient, more eager to please, more of a slave.

Why was silent treatment delivered with surgical precision?

The silent treatment was delivered with surgical precision because I simply did not meet or supply her with whatever need she wanted from me at the time. Her gaslighting, projections, emotional coldness and shunning behaviors had run their course and I’d started pushing back.

What happens when you fail to cross your borders?

Tried to cross your borders and were unsuccessful. When they fail, they will disappear or give you the silent treatment, believing that when they come back , they can do whatever they want, that you “love” them and missed them so much that you will allow them to cross your borders.

Why do I not want to talk to my SO?

While I’m far from being a Narcissist, I strongly believe that I do not wish to speak to my SO or friends because you’re trying to deal with the disappoint or slight. As adults, we refrain from using hurtful words or actions to hurt someone we care about. Hence, my version of staying quiet is to let the the emotions die down; this is pretty common with highly emotional people.

Does everyone do silent treatment?

Everyone does silent treatment, to a degree, from time to time. It’s just a matter of intensity, duration and cause.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9