A narcissist has an inflated sense of importance and requires excessive praise. A sociopath has poor impulse control and can be prone to violence. Both sociopaths and narcissists lack empathy for other people. While a sociopath usually doesn’t succeed in social scenarios because they’re so aggressive, a narcissistic sociopath can “pass” as charming and relatable. Though they can seem caring or likeable, narcissistic sociopaths tend to exploit and abuse people.
The individual has no empathy or concern for other people’s feelings. They’re highly focused on their own looks and the appearance of others. They require constant praise and admiration. They believe they’re superior to everyone else in their life. They “love bomb,” or give people constant attention, to manipulate them. They see people as “objects” that they can use for personal gain. They find it very easy to discard others and replace them. They’re highly suspicious and expect the worst from others. They hold onto grudges, refuse to forgive anyone, and talk about revenge. They’re obsessed with controlling other people. Their mood changes easily and goes through a “mean and sweet cycle. ” They “gaslight,” or make an individual forget their concept of reality.
Sociopaths often start fights because they’re extremely aggressive and easily provoked. [4] X Research source A narcissist will try to make you “lose control” of a dynamic. When you remain mature, you’ll show how strong and capable you are. When you only bring up objective details—such as their pattern of yelling at you—a narcissistic sociopath can’t claim you were confrontational.
“I’m happy to hear constructive feedback, but I won’t listen to belittling or insulting comments moving forward. ” “I won’t take calls from you when I’m on vacation. ” “It’s the only type of treatment I’ll accept. ”
Point out an abusive pattern and then bring up an alternative. For example, you can say, “I think our friends would be shocked you called me that. I think you can talk to me in a more civil way. ” A narcissist is concerned about losing connections with others. They’ll treat you better if that will help them keep all their relationships. When you call out a sociopath’s abuse, they’re more likely to stop because they’ll see you’re smart enough to notice their manipulation. [7] X Research source
Avoid telling the narcissistic that they’re the “best” in any area or you’ll inflate their ego. Even if you don’t give compliments, try not to provide a lot of critiques, either. Sociopaths frequently lash out and may respond badly to negativity. [9] X Research source
Document every interaction with a sociopath so you can refer back to it. Don’t inform them about what you’re doing—protect yourself and keep it private. [11] X Research source Acknowledge that you have different outlooks. You can simply say something like, “You’re free to express whatever you want. I know what I experienced. ”
“Oh, it’s 3 P. M. Time for me to head out! Be well. ” “I have somewhere to go! See you later. ” “I’m going to log off. I made some plans. ”
Journaling to let out all your thoughts and emotions so you can feel some relief. Connecting with your friends and family to rejuvenate yourself after any draining encounters. Practicing positive self-talk to block out any unkind words from a narcissistic sociopath.
When you talk to a trauma-informed therapist about your experiences, they’ll be able to pinpoint abusive behavior you might not have noticed. A counselor can discuss how to avoid narcissistic sociopaths so they can’t impact your life.
