1. Avoid Direct Confrontation
If you feel you have to address the issue, try to be smart about how you have the conversation. Someone with NPD will only be receptive to negative feedback delivered in small doses and laden with flattery.
Instead of launching right into the discussion with your grievances against them, offer compliments first.
2. Don’t Accept Harmful Behaviors
An argument with a narcissist can also quickly turn to verbal abuse due to their lack of empathy and interpersonal skills. Someone with NPD may even be able to manipulate you into believing you are the one with a problem by gaslighting you — a specific type of manipulation that involves getting someone to question their own reality.
3. Focus on Choices
Make sure they know you will break off contact if certain behaviors persist, and be specific about the circumstances and how you will respond. This technique puts the ball in their court by allowing them to choose whether or not to comply.
4. Set Limits
They might resort to manipulating others to meet their needs. Although you cannot control the behaviors of a narcissist, you can control your own. Family members of a narcissist often become accustomed to enabling narcissists to avoid a fight. But you can refuse to participate in this cycle any longer by setting limits on what you will do.
Despite your best efforts to reach a compromise, the only effective solution may be to cut off contact completely. If this is the case, there is no shame in cutting ties for the sake of your own mental health.
5. Get Support and Professional Counseling or Self healing with courses.
Dealing with a narcissistic loved one can feel lonely and induce low self-esteem .
Try to be gentle with yourself and protect yourself from being gaslit into believing you’re the one at fault.
Discussing what you’re going through with a counselor can help boost your confidence and help you decide on the best approach to interacting with your narcissistic family member.
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