6 Effective Tips for Surviving Covert Narcissistic Abuse

Covert narcissistic abuse commonly known as an elusive form of scheming, exploitive, and upsetting behaviours shown by a person who exists with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

However, we have to keep in mind that not everyone having narcissistic personality is involved in abusive activities. And we should also understand that not all abusive behaviorsare caused by people having narcissistic traits. Nevertheless, some people having covert narcissism do involve in activities that can be described as exploitive and harmful.

Covert narcissistic abuse is kind of harmful behaviour that isn’t evident, or that isn’t clearly displayed. Covert narcissism is included in the five most popular kinds of narcissism and is categorised by “quiet” or non-evident narcissistic activities.

If you are also one of those facing this kind of abuse then don’t worry as we will discuss all the important tips to safeguard yourself from  covert narcissistic abuse without any fuss.

Identifying the narcissistic behaviours

Mental health experts believe that it is extremely important to identify narcissistic behaviours before you make any move to save yourself from them. However, it is quite difficult to identify and accept subtle narcissistic behaviours as they are carried our very cleverly.

However, identifying these signs of covert narcissistic abuse is essential for safeguarding yourself in your future life.

You might initiate this process by determining which is the one relationship or behaviour that you’re never willing to bear in your life. Then, make an effort to discover patterns of behaviours that create uncomfortable feeling in yourself.

For instance, does your lover regularly reject your needs and views? Do they always stop speaking to you every time you don’t do what they demand from you? Do they always go through loving and ghosting cycles?

Experts believe that all these above mentioned signs are red flags whenever you are dealing with covert abusive behaviors. Here are some of the most effective tips to survive a covert narcissistic abuse.

Tips to Survive Covert Narcissistic Abuse

1.    Setting and maintaining your boundaries

Individuals with NPD might find it quite tough to maintain healthy boundaries. Covert narcissists might try to cross these boundaries and act like they have better information than everyone else around .

However, you have ensure that boundaries are set as setting and valuing boundaries is the base for an emotionally secure relationship. If someone with weird behaviours frequently disregards yours, it may be the right time to step away from this relationship .

2.    Avoiding retaliation

Strong people love to stand up for their rights and never give up on them. However, it is better to avoid direct confrontation as far as dealing with covert narcissistic abuse is concerned. Since, it is extremely important to protect yourself in this case and skipping direct confrontation is the best option available.

Here, it is also advisable to explain everything to the other person and end the conversation on a god note without any fuss.

3.    Having a safety plan in place

A safety plan is a just thing whenever you are dealing with covert narcissistic abuse during a harmful situation. The most effective safety plan can include:

• Keeping a paper having list of important phone numbers and addresses of trustworthy individuals
• Protecting important things while storing them in a place of a close relative or friend
• Keeping money in a safe place that can be accessed in any kind of an emergency
• Ensuring a secure place to go at any time at the time of emergency

4.    Reach out to get mental health support

Contacting a mental health professional could be a useful first step towards curing from covert narcissistic abuse. Psychiatrists that are quite experienced in handling narcissistic personality disorder could help you with:

• Identifying overt and covert narcissistic abusive behaviours
• Developing management qualities to handle the effects of these behaviours
• Treating the signs of hopelessness, PTSD, anxiety, or other kind of mental health conditions
• Challenging negative self-talk and behaviours
• Setting long term goals for the future professional and personal life

5.    Maintaining healthy relationships

People suffering from covert narcissistic abuse might feel loneliness and they often feel worthless. But these individuals must understand that this is not their fault that their loved ones are behaving like that .Therefore, they must make efforts to build relationships full of love, care, support and safety.

Nurturing these connections that fulfil these needs could aid you heal from the damaging abusive relationships.

6.    Joining support groups

Narcissistic abuse survivors can also join various kinds of support groups that might help them to overcome the emotional pain that originates from it. People often meet wonderful people in these support groups. The list of these effective support groups includes 7 Cups, Psych central forums and NAMI etc.

Final words

Covert narcissistic abuse can be painful for the affected person but you have to understand that you have to fight it out. In addition to that, it can be quite unbearable and irresistible. But you don’t have to accept narcissistic abuse. Since, everyone like you deserve to be happy and secure in any relationship.