Breaking Up With A Narcissist: What To Expect And What To Do

A healthy relationship requires two people to see each other as equals. However, some individuals have narcissistic traits, leading them to assume that they are superior to the other person. If you have found this about your partner and are thinking about breaking up or ending things with a narcissist, you should know it is not as easy as it may sound. You may try talking with them, but you will realize that they will not acknowledge their behavior. However, analyzing your partner’s traits and having a proper plan could help you out of this. Read this post if you think you are on the verge of breaking up and parting ways with a narcissistic person, as we tell you certain things that you should know before quitting and disengaging from the relationship.

In This Article

21 Things To Know When Breaking Up With A Narcissist

We have divided the list into two sections —what to expect during a breakupandwhat to doduring the breakup.

What to expect during breakup with a narcissist

1.Resist your idea to breakup

You may face stiff opposition from them.

Image: IStock

If you are at astage of the relationship自恋者仍可能看到的地方使用you, then you are going to face stiff opposition from them. They may pick arguments and brush aside your feelings and decisions as ‘silly’. They try to exhaust you mentally and physically to the point that you might reconsider your decision of separating from them.

2. Make temporary amends

They might come up with temporary amends to prevent you from dumping him. Expect a lot of drama from the partner. There is going to be a constant apologizing, pleading, and even bargaining for the sake of continuing the relationship. They might plead with you and emotionally blackmail you into staying in the relationship.

3. Manipulate and arm-twist

You might notice that they are doing all the things that you always expected them to do. They try to show that they have “changed” and “turned over a new leaf,” realizing their mistake. But it is mostly a trap you should be careful about. They are doing this in order to prevent a separation.

4. Resort to emotional meltdowns

They may stage an emotional meltdown.

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If none of the previous tricks work, then the next step would be to stage an emotional meltdown seasoned with hysteria. Be prepared to be reminded of all your difficult moments and how they did so much for you during those times. These tricks will make you feel guilty for thinking of abandoning and distancing yourself from him.

5. Blame you for everything

If you do not soften with their emotional manipulation, then they change their strategy to play the blame game. The conversation could start something like this: “It was you who started it.” “You are overthinking.” “Just because I focus on myself does not mean that I do not love you.

protip_icon Point to consider
A narcissistic person may impact your self-esteem by giving you silent treatments and gaslighting you.

6. Remind you of your shortcomings

Narcissists feed on the pain and poor confidence of their partner, and it can be extreme in the case of amalignant narcissist. Therefore, they will spare no opportunity to point at your drawbacks. They might dig your past and come up with instances to remind you that you cannot take care of yourself. They try to use your shortcomings to stay clinged on to them instead of ceasing the relationship.

7. Seek attention in any form

Be prepared to witness their attempts for your attention.

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They deliberately pass by your place of work, they fake an ailment, or they “accidentally” send you an email describing some problem. Be prepared to witness several moments of desperation to seek your attention.

8. Public shaming

一个自恋主义者不能接受失败。如果他们不能attain a win, then they might try breaking you emotionally by ridiculing in front of others. If not possible to retain the partner, they will probably blame you and create a fictitious context in which you are the one who did not deserve the relationship. They will try creating a scene at social gatherings, shame you in front of friends or relatives, or even post content on social media to humiliate you. The more you suffer through these moments, the more satisfied they feel.

9. Rekindle contact

They might try to rekindle the relationship through common friends. They are likely to leverage friends who are sympathetic to their situation. You must be careful at this stage because you may feel obliged to listen to a friend or relative and forgive the narcissist instead of departing and disaffiliating yourself from him.

10. Drag the situation

A narcissist might drag thebreakupto make things difficult for you and to buy time to impress you.If you filed a divorce from yournarcissistic spouse, then they might drag the matter during the court proceedings.

11. Show off of progress

You may be out of their life but not out of their mind. The chances are that they would have already got their next victim and want to communicate it to you. So, be prepared to see them post on social media about how they are happy with the new person and how well they treat them. You may even be forced-fed the latest updates about their lives through common friends.

What to do during a breakup with a narcissist?

12. Do not blame yourself

The first thing you should do is not blame yourself for what is happening around you.It may not always be easy to identify a narcissist early in a relationship, and it is okay. Just because you chose a narcissist as your partner does not mean you can never choose the right life partner again. Your mistakes are not the essence of your life. You are not the reason for canceling or terminating this relationship.

13. Stand your ground

You need to stay firm on your decisions.

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A narcissist partner might want to mislead you and make you question your decisions. But doubting yourself at this stage will only slow down the breakup process and thus buy your partner more time. You need to stay firm on your decisions and be sure of your decision instead of withdrawing or forsaking the matter at hand.

14. Dissolve ties completely

Do not let anything linger that can affect your confidence. Cut any connections that you could have with your partner’s life. It includes breaking ties with common friends and deleting them from yoursocial mediaaccounts. Only stay in touch with those who understand your plight and do not brainwash you as per the narcissist’s instructions.

15. Take help

It is okay to seek support from friends andfamily members.If you need more help, then look for support groups. It is essential to keep yourself in good mental and physical health. The more wasted you feel, the more the narcissist can feed off from your suffering.

16. Prepare yourself well

If you are divorcing a narcissistic spouse, then be prepared for a fierce legal battle. A narcissist will spare no chance to prove flaws in your decision. Prepare well so that you do not buckle under pressure.

17. Avoid temptations to compare

Did you just happen to spot your narcissistic ex with their new partner? And they seem happy? Do not compare their situation to yours. Narcissists love creating a happy facade, which allows them to enjoy the sight of an overlyjealous ex. Be happy that you are no longer their victim and move on.

18. Start with a clean mental slate

Do not let bad memories affect your day-to-day life. The more you damage your life after the harrowing relationship, the more you give a chance to a narcissist to feel victorious. Nothing will make them more delighted than seeing you devastated.

19. Remember the lesson and not the pain

You made a mistake while choosing a loved one. So what? Life is an ever-learning experience, and each new experience makes us wiser. You are now likely to be much careful and discerning while choosing a partner. Therefore, do not let the pain burn you emotionally.

protip_icon Point to consider
Prioritize self-care and healing and be hopeful about finding a better partner and a stable, content relationship.

20. Make new friends

You can choose your new social circle.

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A breakup does not mean the end of your social life. In fact, considering you are now wiser than before, you can be better at choosing your social circle. While it is essential to avoid common friends and those who sympathize with your narcissistic significant other, it is not necessary to isolate yourself socially. Cutting down your social life is going to add to the stress of the breakup.

21. Remain positive

A breakup with a narcissist does not mean the end of the world. Life goes on, and there are still several things to do. There is nothing more pleasing for a narcissist than the sight of their ex in a depressed state. Therefore, gear up and remain positive towards life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.说什么来结束关系narcissist?

Plan and write down your thoughts about the relationship. You may mention what is hurting you and what you have expected from them. Also, write that whatever you are trying is not helping. Try to keep the tone subtle and not negative. Finally, express good wishes from your side. You may also seek support from a confidant or an expert.

2. What is the average length of a relationship with a narcissist?

Although it depends on the people and circumstances, in most cases, it could be hard to sustain a relationship with a narcissist for more than a year.

Breaking up with a narcissist partner can be an exhausting experience and take a toll on you emotionally. But you must do so to prevent yourself from the chances of long-term narcissistic abuse. Narcissistic partners usually blame their partners for their mistakes and resort to emotional meltdowns to try and gain sympathy for everything. Thus, it is essential that you stand your ground, prepare yourself mentally and emotionally, and resist the temptation to get into an argument.

Infographic: How To Handle A Break-Up With A Narcissistic Partner

While being in a relationship with a narcissist is not easy, breaking up with them is equally challenging. Narcissistic individuals are often so self-absorbed that the idea of being dumped may cause them to react wildly. The infographic below includes pointers to help you deal with a narcissistic partner when you’re breaking up with them.

things to do when breaking up with a narcissist (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • The idea of breaking up with a narcissist might seem difficult initially but could save you from mental disturbances and harassment.
  • Stay positive, be mentally prepared, seek support from family and friends, and accept that relationship as a learning experience.
  • Also, avoid comparisons, refrain from self-blaming, and dissolve all ties with them to restart your life on a fresh note.


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