“Narcissists specifically target emotional and psychological vulnerabilities to feed their ego, often through cycles of idealisation (love bombing), devaluation, and discard. There is generally a single source of that narcissistic supply, and hence a solo target of abuse. To anyone else, the abuser appears normal, even laudably upstanding. It is the absolute disbelief of others (that this person is a monster in private) that protects them. The target of abuse is painted as “the problem”, and takes all the blame in the community. That is why this is one of the most wicked forms of abuse, as it lacks even the notional honour of physically assaulting someone and clearly being the cause of the bruises.”

Narcissists deeply need to feel superior over you, and they take delight when you jump into the game of One-upmanship. Psychotherapist Dr. Les Carter describes 8 common ways the narcissist attempts to control you, then he explains how you can outsmart them in each episode by responding in ways they do not anticipate.