In today's society, there are many types of people but there are certain types that you would probably rather not have in your life. One of the undesirable types is the classic narcissist; someone who is extremely manipulative and can easily affect other people through the use of everything from charm to aggression and intimidation.

One thing to remember about narcissists is that they are not always easy to spot right away, and this is because they have an impressive ability to smooth-talk and charm their way into people's lives and affections. However, eventually their true colors begin to show, and this is when you realize you have been fooled by a narcissist. So, what can you do to spot whether you are being manipulated by a narcissist before things go too far? Well, this is something we will look at in this article.

Some Signs to Look For

There are various signs you should look for if you want to determine whether you are indeed being manipulated by a narcissist. You may have your suspicions, but you might not be entirely sure whether you are being taken in, so here are some signs to look out for:

Playing the Victim

One thing that narcissists are very good at is playing the victim even when they are the ones at fault. They do not like to take responsibility or the blame for anything and love the attention they receive from pretending they are the victim in any given situation. They realize that you and others are more likely to pander to their every whim when you feel sorry for them, and by playing the victim, they can achieve this with greater ease. In addition, this is an effective method for them to shift the focus away from things they have done wrong.

Intimidates and Is Aggressive

The typical narcissist tends to be both intimidating and aggressive and will use these tactics to try and get exactly what they want. This can be displayed in a number of ways, from subtle intimidation and suggested threats to all-out violence when the need arises. Of course, they are always apologetic after behaving like this, but this is part and parcel of the intimidation and doesn't stop them from doing it again.

Belittles and Guilt-Trips You

One of the other common traits of a narcissist is that they will regularly belittle you, often in front of others because it gets them attention. In addition, it is their way of breaking down your confidence and gaining even more control over you. This could be things such as attacking your physical appearance, insulting you, and bossing you around in front of others. They also have a habit of guilt-tripping you and making you feel that things are your fault even when this is not the case.

Tries to Isolate You

One of the ways in which the narcissist tries to gain control over you is by isolating you from your friends and family. They know that the influence of friends and family could result in you seeing through them and walking away, which they obviously do not want. So, bit by bit, they isolate you from all those you are close to, which means you then have to rely on them for everything.

Escaping the Clutches of a Narcissist

When you are in a relationship with a narcissist, it can be very difficult to escape but it is something you have to do for your own well-being and future. It is important to not only break away from them but also cut all ties, as otherwise, they will quickly talk you into taking them back.