What Makes A Narcissist Panic? – 15 Proven Strategies (2024)

Are you in the middle of a personal war with a narcissist? Would you like to know what makes a narcissist panic, so you can regain control of this relationship?

It’s often argued that the best way to deal with a narcissist is to not associate with them. Sadly, this isn’t always possible. Maybe you’re currently dealing with a narcissistic co-worker or family member.

That’s why I created this list of strategies to make a narcissist panic.

In my role as a life coach, I am often helping clients handle toxic relationships in their life. Indeed, the manipulation tactics that narcissists use can be enough to drive most people crazy.  

That’s why I’m excited to share this guide with you. 

Read on for my list of strategies to send a narcissist into panic mode and regain control of the relationship.

Let’s dive right into it.

Narcissist Panic
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Related: Typical Examples Of Narcissist Text Messages & How To Respond

What Are The Weaknesses Of A Narcissist?

When you understand what narcissism is, these strategies for regaining power over them will make more sense. 

It has become trendy to label anyone who engages in boasting, pride or self-promotion as a narcissist. 

However, the truth is: narcissists suffer from the complete opposite problem. They suffer from such extreme levels of low self-esteem that they feel the need to aggressively over-compensate.

This is why they need to always be right, always be the center of attention, always be lavished with praise. It’s a defence mechanism. 

A narcissist trains themselves to become so confident in their self-importance that it can be difficult for other people to challenge them.

However, when you learn to challenge their view of the world in the right way, this is what makes them panic.

Related: Reactions To Expect When A Narcissist Knows You Have Figured Him Out

What Drives A Narcissist Insane? 

Weaknesses Of A Narcissist
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Whenever something happens to challenge the narcissist’s view that they are the most special person in the world, it can create a ‘narcissistic injury’ and spark a narcissistic rage.

Related: How Narcissists Destroy Empaths: 19 Things You Need To Know

Here are some examples of situations that a narcissist hates. These will all make a narcissist panic too. 

  1. They don’t get their own way.
  2. Their narcissist rage doesn’t have the desired effect on people. 
  3. They are ignored, or made to feel unworthy of attention. 
  4. They are criticized, even in a reasonable or constructive manner. 
  5. Another person is treated as the centre of attention among their friends or family.
  6. They are called out for breaking rules.
  7. They are called out for their own lies.
  8. They are not granted special treatment to break rules. 
  9. They are accused of narcissistic behavior.
  10. They are made to feel judged about decisions they make in their own lives.
  11. They feel they are losing control of the situation and/or the people around them. 
  12. Someone tries to blame them for anything that goes wrong.
  13. Anything that causes them public humiliation.
  14. Another person receives more admiration than them.
  15. Anything else that makes them question their own self-worth. 

After reading this list, you may begin to sense just how easy it is to cause a narcissistic injury. This should give you a sense of how low a narcissist’s self-esteem can be – and how much narcissists fear their insecurities being revealed to the world.

Narcissists often need total control of their surroundings in order to maintain this act of feeling like the greatest person.   

Related: Best Ways To Emotionally Detach From A Narcissist

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How To Turn The Tables On A Narcissist

When someone you know is engaging in infuriating narcissistic traits, such as:  

  • refusing to accept blame;
  • stealing attention from others;
  • telling stories of how great they are;
  • failing to show empathy;

you can choose to ignore them or remove them for your life. That’s probably the best solution for your mental health.

However, if you want to turn the tables on a narcissist, it’s an effective strategy to call out what they’re doing and why.

When you out them for certain things they’re doing – coupled with facts about narcissistic personality traits – they will often feel backed into a corner.

Related: Things Narcissistic Mothers Say

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What Do Narcissists Fear Most?

When you confront a narcissist, they will usually snap back to try and make you emotionally respond.

You can expect them to descend into a narcissistic rage in their efforts to do this.

Even so, it’s important for you to STAY CALM.

When you’re right in an argument, it’s always best to stick to truth and logic, rather than getting into an emotional dispute.  

This will make a narcissist rage even further, because they’ll realise they’ve lost control of you. Their control tactics have no power over your emotions.

Related: Do Narcissists Feel Guilt? 4 Key Insights

How Does A Narcissist React When They Can’t Control You?

It would be lovely to tell you that narcissists will calm down and admit they’re wrong once they realize they’re unable to control you.

Sadly, a narcissist’s ego won’t allow them to admit their insecurities. They’re too afraid. It would be too painful. 

More likely, they’ll panic and descend further into a narcissistic rage. 

This could involve: 

  • denial of all your accusations no matter how much logic it’s backed up by;
  • accusing you of jealousy;
  • trying to present themselves as a victim so others feel bad for them;
  • attempts to assassinate your character;
  • attempts to seek revenge on you in another way.

A narcissistic rage can be dangerous for you and other people. That’s why it’s often recommended to avoid dealing with narcissists altogether.  

Related: Super Empath Vs Narcissist & What We Can Learn From Both

How To Make A Narcissist Crack

Narcissist Crack
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Related: Are Narcissists Born Or Made? 13 Science Insights

It is very difficult to help narcissists, because it’s almost impossible to control narcissists. Most will refuse to accept that they need help.

A key trait of narcissism is the belief they are right and everyone else is wrong. You’ll struggle to make a narcissist do anything, especially something that leaves them feeling vulnerable and weak.

Still, if you truly desire to help someone deal with this personality disorder, it’s best to act out of love. This is the most effective way to avoid causing a narcissistic injury.

Show them admiration. Let them see you do think they’re amazing. (Remember, deep down, a narcissist feels deeply insecure).

Direct any criticism you have at their behavior, not who they are as a person.

Then, suggest they deal with their feelings of insecurity with the help of a therapist or another mental health professional.

For further support, see this guide: EXPERT Tips – How To Talk To A Narcissist

My Final Thoughts On Dealing WIth Narcissists

Thanks for reading my article. Hopefully, you now have a sense of what narcissists fear and how to drive them crazy.

However, in most cases, this is a dangerous game to play. 

It’s much better to remove them from your life completely. Or, in the case of close friends and family members, try to help them.

If you have any questions about coping with narcissistic personality disorder or developing normal relationships with narcissists, you can leave a comment below. 

I love to hear from my friends in the comments section. Of course, I will get back to you as soon as I can.

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About The Author

Bijan Kholghi is a certified life coach with the Milton Erickson Institute Heidelberg (Germany). He helps clients and couples reach breakthroughs in their lives by changing subconscious patterns. His solution-oriented approach is based on Systemic- and Hypnotherapy.

Bijan