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Blaming and Shaming: This is a tactic used by narcissists to deflect responsibility for their own actions or mistakes onto someone else. Narcissists may blame others for their own problems or mistakes, and may even go so far as to publicly shame the person they are blaming in order to manipulate or control them. Blaming and shaming is a form of emotional manipulation that can be used to maintain power and control in a relationship. It can cause the person being blamed and shamed to feel guilty, responsible, and even worthless.

Boundaries: This term refers to the limits that someone sets for themselves in terms of what is and is not acceptable in their relationships with others. Setting healthy boundaries is often an important part of recovering from narcissistic abuse.

Boundary-setting: This term refers to the act of establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships, which can help to protect one’s own well-being and prevent exploitation by others.

Cerebral Narcissists: This subtype is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with intellect, power, and status. They may use their intelligence or knowledge as a way to gain power and status and may be less focused on their physical appearance.

Co-narcissism: This term refers to the codependent behavior of those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist, and may involve an excessive focus on meeting the needs of the narcissist at the expense of one’s own well-being.

Codependency recovery: This term refers to the process of breaking free from the patterns of codependent behavior and learning to set healthy boundaries and prioritize one’s own well-being. This may be an important part of the recovery process for those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist.

Codependency: This term refers to a pattern of behavior in which someone becomes overly focused on meeting the needs of others at the expense of their own well-being, often as a way to gain a sense of worth or value. Codependency can be a common issue for those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This term refers to a type of therapy that aims to change negative thought patterns and behaviors by teaching new coping skills and techniques. CBT may be helpful for those recovering from narcissistic abuse in order to challenge and change negative thought patterns that may have developed as a result of the abuse.

Cognitive dissonance: This term refers to the mental discomfort that someone may feel when their beliefs or values are challenged by new information or experiences. Narcissists may use tactics such as gaslighting or manipulation to create cognitive dissonance in their victims in order to maintain control over them.

Cognitive empathy: This term refers to the ability to understand and recognize the thoughts and feelings of others, without necessarily experiencing those emotions oneself.

Cognitive restructuring: This term refers to the process of changing the way that one thinks about a situation or experience in order to change one’s emotional or behavioral response to it. This can be a helpful technique for those recovering from narcissistic abuse, as it can help to challenge and reframe negative thought patterns that may have developed as a result of the abuse.

Collective Narcissism: This subtype refers to a tendency for an individual to identify with a group, organization, or nation and to have an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement as a part of that group.

Compartmentalization: This term refers to the ability to separate one’s thoughts and behaviors into distinct categories or “compartments,” often as a way to manage or justify conflicting or incompatible beliefs or actions. Narcissists may use compartmentalization as a coping mechanism to reconcile their grandiose sense of self with their less favorable qualities or behaviors.

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD): This term refers to a type of PTSD that can occur as a result of prolonged or repeated exposure to trauma, such as that experienced in an abusive relationship with a narcissist.

Complex trauma: This term refers to the psychological effects of repeated or prolonged exposure to trauma, such as that which may be experienced in an abusive relationship with a narcissist.

Counterdependency: This term refers to a pattern of behavior in which someone avoids depending on others or seeking support, often as a result of past trauma or negative experiences with dependency. Counterdependency can be a coping mechanism for those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist.

Counter-narcissism tactics: This refers to a set of strategies and techniques that are used to counteract the manipulative and exploitative behaviors of a narcissist. These tactics may include setting boundaries, educating others about narcissism, and actively undermining the narcissist’s attempts to control and manipulate their victims and the people in their environment. These tactics can also include exposure of the narcissist’s behavior to their social circle and using strategic communication to weaken the narcissist’s hold on their victims.

Covert Narcissism: The covert narcissist also known as a closet narcissist, tends to be more introverted, and they may not display the obvious grandiosity and entitlement of the other subtypes. They tend to be more sensitive and vulnerable, and they may be more prone to feelings of inadequacy and envy. They may be prone to manipulation and often are passive-aggressive.

Detachment: This term refers to the act of separating oneself emotionally from a person or situation, and can be a helpful coping strategy for those dealing with a narcissist.

Devaluation: The process of discarding or diminishing the positive qualities of someone after idealizing them, which may be exhibited by individuals who exhibit narcissism.

Discard: This term refers to the narcissist’s abandonment or rejection of a partner or relationship once the narcissist is no longer getting the desired supply of attention and admiration.

Dissociation: This term refers to the act of disconnecting from one’s thoughts, feelings, or surroundings, often as a coping mechanism in response to overwhelming stress or trauma. Those who have experienced narcissistic abuse may be at risk for dissociative symptoms.

Echoism: This term refers to a condition in which someone who has been in a relationship with a narcissist becomes so conditioned to putting the needs of the narcissist first that they lose their own sense of identity and become “invisible.”

Emotional abuse recovery: This term refers to the process of healing and rebuilding one’s life after experiencing emotional abuse, such as that which may be inflicted by a narcissist. This may involve seeking therapy, joining a support group, or learning healthy coping strategies.

Emotional abuse: This term refers to any behavior that is designed to control, intimidate, or manipulate another person through the use of fear, shame, or guilt. Narcissists may use emotional abuse as a way to control and exploit others.

Emotional blackmail: This term refers to the use of emotional manipulation or threats in order to control or exploit someone. Narcissists may use emotional blackmail as a way to get their own way or to punish their victims.

Emotional boundary violations: This term refers to the act of crossing or disregarding someone’s emotional boundaries, such as by ignoring their feelings or crossing their personal space without permission. Narcissists may be prone to emotional boundary violations due to their lack of empathy and disregard for the feelings of others.

Emotional dependence: This term refers to the reliance on someone else for one’s own emotional well-being or validation. Those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist may develop emotional dependence as a result of the constant manipulation and control that they may have experienced.

Emotional detachment: This term refers to the act of disconnecting from one’s own emotions or the emotions of others, often as a coping mechanism in response to overwhelming stress or trauma. Those who have experienced narcissistic abuse may develop emotional detachment as a way to protect themselves from further harm.

Emotional empathy: This term refers to the ability to share and understand the emotions of others, and to respond to those emotions with appropriate concern and care. Narcissists may lack emotional empathy, which can make it difficult for them to connect with and understand the emotions of others.

Emotional flashbacks: This term refers to the sudden and intense re-experiencing of a past traumatic event, often in the form of strong emotions or physical sensations. Emotional flashbacks can be a common symptom of complex PTSD in those who have experienced narcissistic abuse.

Emotional intelligence training: This term refers to the practice of developing and strengthening one’s emotional intelligence skills, such as the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions and the emotions of others.

Emotional intelligence: This term refers to the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions and the emotions of others, and to use that awareness to manage one’s own behavior and relationships effectively.

Emotional invalidation: This term refers to the act of denying or dismissing someone’s feelings or experiences, often as a way to manipulate or control them. Narcissists may use emotional invalidation as a tactic to undermine their victims and maintain control.

Emotional labor: This term refers to the effort that someone puts into managing their own emotions and the emotions of others in order to maintain a certain relationship dynamic or to meet the expectations of others. In a relationship with a narcissist, the non-narcissistic partner may be required to perform a disproportionate amount of emotional labor.

Emotional manipulation tactics: This term refers to specific techniques that someone may use in order to manipulate or control the emotions of another person, such as gaslighting, love bombing, or emotional withholding. Narcissists may use a variety of emotional manipulation tactics in order to exploit others.

Emotional manipulation: This term refers to the use of emotions to influence or control someone’s thoughts, behaviors, or actions. Narcissists may use emotional manipulation as a way to get their own way or to exploit others.

Emotional trauma: This term refers to the psychological effects of experiencing a traumatic event, such as abuse, loss, or betrayal. Those who have experienced narcissistic abuse may suffer from emotional trauma as a result of the abuse.

Emotional unavailability: This term refers to someone who is unable or unwilling to engage in emotionally intimate or vulnerable relationships. Narcissists may be emotionally unavailable due to their lack of empathy and inability to connect with the emotions of others.

Emotional vulnerability: This term refers to the willingness to be open and honest about one’s emotions and to allow oneself to be emotionally affected by others. Those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist may struggle with emotional vulnerability due to the constant invalidation and lack of emotional connection that they may have experienced.

Emotional withholding: This term refers to the act of deliberately withholding emotional support, affection, or validation from someone as a way to punish or control them. Narcissists may use emotional withholding as a way to manipulate and exploit others.

Emotionally unavailable: This term refers to someone who is unable or unwilling to engage in emotionally intimate or vulnerable relationships. Narcissists may be emotionally unavailable due to their lack of empathy and inability to connect with the emotions of others.

Enabler: This term refers to someone who enables or supports the unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors of another person, often out of a sense of loyalty, fear, or codependency.

Enabling: This term refers to the behavior of someone who enables a narcissist by helping them to maintain their unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors.

Enmeshment: This term refers to an unhealthy emotional bond in which the boundaries between two people are blurred, often resulting in one person becoming excessively enmeshed in the needs and emotions of the other. Enmeshment can be a common issue in relationships with narcissists.

Entitlement: A belief that one is entitled to special treatment or privileges, often exhibited by individuals who exhibit narcissism.

Existential loneliness: This term refers to a deep sense of isolation and disconnection from others, often as a result of a lack of meaningful relationships or a lack of alignment with one’s own values or purpose in life. Those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist may be at risk for experiencing existential loneliness due to the lack of genuine connection and validation that they may have experienced.

Familial narcissism: This term refers to the presence of narcissistic traits or patterns of behavior within a family system.

Flying monkeys: This term refers to people who are recruited by a narcissist to harass, bully, or intimidate someone else on the narcissist’s behalf.

Gaslighting: This term refers to the narcissist’s manipulation of the truth or manipulation of others in order to make them doubt their own perceptions and memories.

Grandiose Narcissism: This is the type of narcissism that most people are familiar with. It is characterized by grandiose fantasies, a sense of entitlement, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. People with this subtype tend to be arrogant and self-assured, and they may engage in exploitative or manipulative behaviors to get what they want.

Grandiosity: An exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities, often exhibited by individuals who exhibit narcissism.

Grey rock method: A communication strategy that involves responding to someone who exhibits manipulative or narcissistic behavior in a neutral, unengaging, and boring way in order to de-escalate the situation and reduce the other person’s interest in interacting with you.

Grooming: This term refers to the process of manipulating someone over time in order to gain their trust and make them more vulnerable to abuse. Narcissists may use grooming behaviors in order to manipulate and exploit their victims.

Guilt tripping: This term refers to the use of guilt and manipulation to control or influence someone’s behavior or decision-making. It often involves using past events or actions to make the person feel responsible for the manipulator’s negative feelings or actions. Narcissists may use guilt tripping as a way to control others and avoid taking responsibility for their own actions.

Healing: This term refers to the process of recovering from injury, illness, or trauma, and can include physical, emotional, and psychological elements.

High-conflict personality: This term refers to someone who tends to engage in conflicts and arguments frequently, and may have difficulty with compromise or resolution. Narcissists may be considered high-conflict personalities due to their tendency to blame others, engage in manipulation, and have difficulty with empathy.

High-Functioning Narcissists: This subtype refers to individuals who have a high level of narcissistic traits, but who are able to maintain stable and successful careers and relationships. They may be successful in their fields but may have a hard time maintaining personal and intimate relationships because of their Narcissistic behaviors

Holographic projection: This term refers to the narcissist’s ability to present a charming or desirable image to the outside world, while simultaneously harboring negative or abusive thoughts or behaviors.

Hoovering: This term refers to the narcissist’s attempts to re-establish contact or draw a former partner or victim back into their orbit after a period of separation or estrangement.

Idealization: The process of attributing unrealistic or exaggerated positive qualities to someone, often as part of a romantic or sexual attraction, which may be exhibited by individuals who exhibit narcissism.

Imposter syndrome: This term refers to the feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt that someone may experience, despite having achieved success or recognition in their field. Those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist may be at risk for developing imposter syndrome due to the constant invalidation and criticism that they may have experienced.

Inner child work: This term refers to the process of exploring and healing unresolved emotional wounds or traumas from one’s past, often in order to improve present-day functioning and relationships. Inner child work may be helpful for those recovering from narcissistic abuse in order to process and heal from the trauma that they have experienced.

Intergenerational trauma: This term refers to the transmission of trauma from one generation to another, often as a result of unhealed wounds or unhealthy coping mechanisms being passed down within a family.

Introject: This term refers to how a narcissist views people as internalized objects when they see them as things to be incorporated and used for their own benefit, rather than as separate individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and needs. The narcissist may use manipulation, gaslighting, and other tactics to control and exploit these “introjects” for their own gain while disregarding the well-being and autonomy of the other person. In this way, the narcissist sees others as mere extensions of themselves, rather than as distinct individuals.

Love bombing: This term refers to the narcissist’s use of flattery, gifts, and affection at the beginning of a relationship in order to win over and manipulate their partner.

Malignant Narcissism: This subtype is considered the most severe form of narcissism. It is characterized by a lack of empathy, a sense of grandiosity, and a tendency towards sadism. People with this subtype may be highly narcissistic and may engage in manipulative or exploitative behaviors. They may also be prone to rage or aggression and may lack remorse or guilt for their actions.

Manipulative behavior: This term refers to actions or tactics that someone uses in order to influence or control others, often in a deceptive or selfish manner. Narcissists may engage in manipulative behavior as a way to exploit or control others.

Narcissist: This term refers to an individual who exhibits a set of behaviors, including an inflated sense of self-importance, an unwavering need for admiration, and an inability to empathize with others. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a clinically recognized condition that is characterized by these same behaviors, as well as additional criteria such as an overestimation of one’s abilities and accomplishments, and a preoccupation with fantasies of power, success, beauty, intelligence, or ideal love. It’s important to note that an individual displaying narcissistic traits does not necessarily have NPD, it’s a diagnosis that requires a professional assessment and confirmation.

Narcissistic abuse education: This term refers to the process of learning about the dynamics of narcissistic abuse and how to recognize and protect oneself from it.

Narcissistic abuse recovery: This term refers to the process of healing and rebuilding one’s life after experiencing narcissistic abuse.

Narcissistic abuse support: This term refers to the various forms of support that are available to those who have experienced narcissistic abuse, such as therapy, support groups, or online resources.

Narcissistic abuse syndrome (NAS): This term refers to the psychological effects of narcissistic abuse on the victim, which can include symptoms such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Narcissistic abuse: This term refers to the emotional, psychological, or physical abuse of someone by a narcissist, often including tactics such as manipulation, control, and devaluation.

Narcissistic collapse: This term refers to the emotional and psychological breakdown of the narcissistic individual when their self-delusions and fantasies of grandiosity, power, and invincibility are challenged and shattered by the reality of the non-narcissistic person’s boundaries and the consequences of their own narcissistic behavior.

Narcissistic exploitation: This term refers to the narcissist’s use of others for their own gain, often without regard for the well-being or feelings of the person being exploited.

Narcissistic family system: This term refers to a family system in which narcissistic traits or patterns of behavior are prevalent and may be reinforced or perpetuated over time.

Narcissistic injury response: This term refers to the behaviors and tactics that a narcissist may use in response to a narcissistic injury, such as rage, blame-shifting, or manipulation. (Related: Understanding the Narcissistic Twist: How Narcissists Perceive Insults)

Narcissistic injury: This term refers to any real or perceived threat to the narcissist’s ego or self-esteem.

Narcissistic parent: This term refers to a parent who displays narcissistic traits and may prioritize their own needs and desires over those of their child.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD): This term refers to the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, which is a psychiatric disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

Narcissistic personality traits: This term refers to the specific characteristics or behaviors that are associated with narcissistic personality disorder, such as grandiosity, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration.

Narcissistic rage: This term refers to the intense anger and aggression that narcissists may exhibit when their sense of self is threatened or their ego is bruised.

Narcissistic Relationship Dynamics: This term refers to the patterns of behavior and power dynamics that occur in relationships where one or both individuals have narcissistic personality traits. These dynamics can include manipulation, exploitation, control, lack of empathy, and a lack of mutuality. The relationship may appear to be healthy and fulfilling initially, but over time, the narcissist’s true colors are revealed as they prioritize their own needs and desires over their partner’s. These dynamics can be emotionally and psychologically damaging for the partner and can be difficult to recognize and escape from.

Narcissistic supply: This term refers to the attention, admiration, and validation that narcissists seek from others in order to bolster their ego and maintain their sense of self-importance.

Narcissistic supply network: This term refers to the various sources of validation, admiration, and attention that a narcissist has cultivated over time to support and maintain their inflated sense of self-importance. This network can include individuals, groups, or even institutions that provide the narcissist with the constant validation and attention they need to feel special and superior. The accumulated network of narcissistic supply can become a crucial component of the narcissist’s self-esteem, and the loss of any one source can result in a collapse of the entire network.

Narcissistic tendencies: This term refers to behaviors and characteristics that are associated with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or narcissistic traits, such as grandiosity, entitlement, and a lack of empathy for others.

Narcissistic victim syndrome: This term refers to the psychological effects of being in a relationship with a narcissist, which can include symptoms such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Narcissistic vulnerability: This term refers to the underlying insecurity and fragility of the narcissist’s ego, which can be easily threatened or injured by criticism or rejection.

Narcissistic wound: This term refers to the underlying emotional injury or insecurity that drives the narcissist’s need for narcissistic supply and their vulnerable ego.

Narrative Therapy: A form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people identify and challenge the unhealthy or unhelpful stories they tell themselves about themselves, in order to change the way they feel and behave.

No contact: This term refers to the decision to completely cut off communication and contact with a narcissist, often as a way to protect oneself from further abuse or exploitation.

Object Constancy: The ability to maintain a positive emotional connection to a person or object despite changes in the environment or the person’s behavior, which may be impaired in individuals who exhibit narcissism.

Parentification: This term refers to the process of assigning adult roles and responsibilities to a child, often as a result of the absence or dysfunction of adult caregivers. Children of narcissistic parents may be at risk for parentification.

Pathological narcissism: This term refers to a pattern of extreme self-absorption and self-importance, often to the point of causing harm to others or oneself. Pathological narcissism is a severe form of narcissistic personality disorder.

Pathological Lying: A term used to describe excessive or compulsive lying, in which an individual fabricates false statements with no apparent motivation other than to maintain a false image of themselves or gain admiration and special treatment from others. This type of lying can be associated with narcissistic behaviors and can cause significant challenges in interpersonal relationships, and is not always accompanied by the person being aware of the deceit or being able to think rationally about it.

Personality disorder: This term refers to a mental health condition characterized by patterns of thought, behavior, and social interactions that are significantly different from cultural norms and that cause distress or impairment. Narcissistic personality disorder is one type of personality disorder.

Playing the Victim: This term refers to the behavior of portraying oneself as a victim in a situation, often as a way to gain sympathy or manipulate others. This can include exaggerating or fabricating the situation to gain attention or avoid accountability for one’s own actions. Narcissists may use playing the victim as a tactic to exploit others and control the narrative of a situation.

Projection: This term refers to the narcissist’s tendency to attribute their own negative thoughts, feelings, or behaviors onto someone else, often accusing others of the very things that they themselves are guilty of.

Pseudomutuality: This is a term that describes a type of relationship dynamic in which two people appear to have a mutually beneficial and supportive relationship, but in reality, one person is using the other for their own gain. In the context of narcissistic abuse, pseudomutuality may be used by the narcissist to create an illusion of a close, supportive relationship in order to manipulate and exploit their partner. This can also be known as “False Harmony” or “False Intimacy” which creates a facade of a loving and caring relationship while the narcissist is still pursuing their own agenda.

Psychological abuse: This term refers to the use of psychological tactics, such as manipulation, control, or coercion, in order to inflict emotional harm or distress on someone. Narcissistic abuse is a form of psychological abuse.

Psychological boundaries: This term refers to the limits or boundaries that one sets for oneself in order to protect one’s own mental and emotional well-being. Setting healthy psychological boundaries can be an important part of the recovery process for those who have experienced narcissistic abuse.

Psychological manipulation techniques: This term refers to specific strategies or tactics that someone may use in order to manipulate or control the thoughts, beliefs, or actions of another person, such as gaslighting, love bombing or emotional withholding. Narcissists may use a variety of psychological manipulation techniques in order to exploit others.

Psychological manipulation: This term refers to the use of manipulation techniques in order to influence or control someone’s thoughts, behaviors, or actions. Narcissists may use psychological manipulation as a way to exploit or control others.

Psychological projection: This term refers to the psychological defense mechanism of attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts or feelings onto someone else, often as a way to avoid acknowledging or dealing with them. Narcissists may use psychological projection as a way to manipulate or exploit others.

Psychological projections defense mechanism: This term refers to the psychological defense mechanism of attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts or feelings onto someone else, often as a way to avoid acknowledging or dealing with them. Narcissists may use psychological projection as a way to manipulate or exploit others.

Reactive abuse: This term refers to the use of abusive behavior as a response to a perceived threat or trigger, rather than as a premeditated or calculated action. Narcissists may engage in reactive abuse when their ego is threatened or when they feel that their sense of control is being challenged.

Scapegoating: This term refers to the act of blaming or casting someone as the “cause” of a problem, often in an attempt to deflect responsibility or avoid accountability. Narcissists may scapegoat others as a way to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions or mistakes.

Self-abandonment: This term refers to the act of neglecting or rejecting one’s own needs, values, or feelings, often as a result of negative beliefs about oneself or in an attempt to please others. Those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist may be at risk for self-abandonment due to the constant invalidation and criticism that they may have experienced.

Self-care strategies: This term refers to specific actions or practices that someone can engage in in order to protect and prioritize their own well-being. These may include activities such as exercise, meditation, journaling, or seeking support from friends or professionals.

Self-care: This term refers to the actions that someone takes to protect their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, especially in the face of stress or adversity.

Self-compassion: This term refers to the act of being kind and understanding towards oneself, especially in times of suffering or failure. Developing self-compassion can be an important part of the healing process after narcissistic abuse.

Self-objectification: This term refers to the act of viewing oneself primarily as an object or commodity, rather than as a whole person with feelings, thoughts, and needs. Those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist may be at risk for self-objectification due to the constant focus on appearance and external validation that may be demanded by the narcissist.

Silent Treatment: This term refers to a form of emotional manipulation and control where an individual, usually a narcissist, withdraws from verbal or emotional communication with another person, often as a form of punishment or a means to exert power and control over the other person. This can include ignoring phone calls, text messages, or any other form of communication, and can last for a short period of time or be ongoing. The goal of the silent treatment is to create feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and uncertainty in the person being ignored, and to gain a sense of power and control over the situation.

Social intelligence: This term refers to the ability to understand and navigate social situations and relationships. In the context of narcissism and narcissistic abuse, social intelligence may refer to the ability of the narcissist to manipulate and control their victims and the people in their social networks (also known as their "supply"). This can include an ability to read and exploit the emotions and vulnerabilities of others, as well as the ability to charm and deceive those around them. Social intelligence can also refer to the ability of the victim or survivor of narcissistic abuse to understand and recognize the tactics of the narcissist, in order to better protect themselves and set boundaries in their relationships.

Somatic Narcissists: This subtype is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with physical appearance, personal charm, and sexual conquests. They may be preoccupied with their body and physical appearance and may use their physical appearance or sexual behavior as a way to gain attention and admiration.

Splitting: This term refers to the tendency to see people or situations as either completely good or completely bad, with no shades of gray. Narcissists may use splitting as a way to manipulate and exploit others, often by alternating between idealizing and devaluing them.

Stalking: This term refers to the repeated and obsessive monitoring or harassing of someone, often in a way that causes them fear or distress. Narcissists may engage in stalking behavior as a way to exert control over their victims.

Stockholm syndrome: This term refers to the psychological phenomenon in which a hostage or abuse victim begins to identify with and feel affection for their captor or abuser.

Support system: This term refers to the network of people who provide emotional, practical, or logistical support to someone, and can be an important part of the healing process after narcissistic abuse.

Toxic masculinity: This term refers to a narrow and harmful definition of masculinity that emphasizes traits such as aggression, domination, and control, and may be associated with narcissistic behavior.

Toxic relationship: This term refers to a relationship that is harmful or destructive to one or both parties involved. Relationships with narcissists are often considered toxic.

Trauma bonding: This term refers to the strong emotional bonds that can develop between an abuser and their victim as a result of the trauma that they have experienced together. Trauma bonding can make it difficult for victims to leave an abusive relationship with a narcissist.

Trauma-Focused Therapy: A type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals who have experienced trauma, such as narcissistic abuse, to process and cope with their experiences. This therapy may include techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and exposure therapy to help individuals work through their trauma and develop coping mechanisms. It can help survivors of narcissistic abuse to process and heal from the emotional and psychological damage caused by the abuse.

Trauma-informed approach: This term refers to an approach to care or treatment that recognizes the impact of trauma and aims to minimize the re-traumatization of the individual. A trauma-informed approach may be helpful for those recovering from narcissistic abuse.

Triangulation: This term refers to the narcissist’s use of manipulation and communication with third parties in order to control or exploit a situation or relationship. (Related article: Stop Narcissistic Triangulation in Its Tracks)

Validation: This term refers to the act of acknowledging and accepting someone’s feelings, experiences, or needs as valid. Lack of validation can be a common issue for those who have been in a relationship with a narcissist, and seeking validation from others can be an important part of the healing process.

Victim blaming: This term refers to the tendency to blame or hold the victim of abuse responsible for their own abuse, rather than holding the abuser accountable for their actions.

Vulnerability: This term refers to the qualities or characteristics that make someone susceptible to being hurt, exploited, or targeted. Narcissists often seek out and exploit the vulnerabilities of others in order to get their narcissistic supply.

Vulnerable Narcissism: This subtype is characterized by feelings of insecurity, vulnerability, and a heightened sensitivity to rejection. People with this subtype may have fragile self-esteem and may be preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, or attractiveness as a way to compensate for their feelings of inferiority. They may be more prone to feelings of shame and may have difficulty handling criticism.

Walking on Eggshells: A phrase used to describe the feeling of constantly tiptoeing around someone, often in fear of upsetting them or triggering their anger or hostility. This behavior is often seen in individuals who have been in a relationship with a narcissist, as they have been subjected to emotional manipulation and control tactics. Walking on eggshells can also refer to the constant state of anxiety, self-doubt and hypervigilance that victims of narcissistic abuse experience as they try to navigate their relationships with their abuser. It is also known as “emotional dysregulation” in some cases.