Breaking up with a narcissist is hard enough, but hitting that “block” button can feel like a new level of liberation. However, don’t be surprised if your newfound freedom has some unwanted side effects. Narcissists may react in a poisonous and nasty manner when you block them, but how could they possibly harm you if you have blocked them? They certainly can, and here’s how.
Blocking a Narcissist
Blocking a narcissist can be a daunting task that requires mental preparation. It is indeed a difficult decision, but it’s also an important step toward protecting your mental and emotional well-being.
You should be mentally prepared before blocking a narcissist by earning about narcissists and how they would react if you block them is vital while building a support system of people who validate and support your decision. Setting clear boundaries or no contact is also a part of practicing before blocking a narcissist.
From anger and aggression to persistent attempts at contact, understanding how narcissists react when you block them is essential for maintaining your emotional well-being and safety.
Reactions of Narcissists when you block them
Blocking a narcissist can lead to immediate backlash since it will block not just the communication but also the narcissistic supply to the narcissist. Hence, out of anger or narcissistic fear, they react in so many ways to have their way with you to either get back to the relationship or hurt you. Narcissists react to blocking similarly to when they can’t control you. Here’s how,
1. Stalk
Blocking a narcissist might seem like the end of a tumultuous relationship, but for them, it’s just the beginning of a disturbing obsession. The moment you cut off their supply of attention and control, they’ll resort to stalking as their first move.
Stalking becomes their twisted tool to reclaim their perceived ownership over you and manipulate your emotions. They will let you know that they are stalking you which indirectly projects that they are now a victim of your act.
This will trigger your guilt and drawback to the abusive bond again by unblocking them.
2. Ghosting
Narcissists be like If the first doesn’t work, then the second will do. Ghosting is a silent treatment that is a manipulative tactic aimed at asserting control and causing emotional distress. By disappearing without explanation, they inflict a sense of confusion and self-doubt, making you question if you were the one at fault.
However, ghosting behavior is a reflection of their inability to handle rejection and a desperate attempt to maintain their superiority.
3. Send Flying Monkeys / Enablers
If their steps to hoover you back fail, they send others named “Flying Monkeys” or “Narcissist Enablers“. These are individuals the narcissist enlists to do their bidding and attack you on their behalf. When they realize their control over you is slipping due to the block, they may deploy these flying monkeys to harass, guilt-trip, or pressure you into re-establishing contact.
These individuals may include friends, family members, or even acquaintances misled by the narcissist’s twisted version of events. The flying monkeys might be innocent too, however, it is better to distance yourself from anyone attempting to coerce you into reconnecting with the narcissist.
4. Gets contact with your close ones
Narcissists can’t control themselves from watching you and knowing about you. Moving on is not in their dictionary. Hence, they try to get in contact with your close friends and relatives. This gives them additional access too like garnering sympathy, spreading false narratives, or even creating a divide between you and your loved ones.
Hence, Surround yourself with a support system that understands and respects your boundaries, allowing you to heal and regain control of your life.
5. Try reaching you somehow
When the patience of the narcissist is over and the narcissist didn’t get another victim in the meantime, they try reaching you somehow. When they realize their direct access to you has been severed, they resort to sneaky tactics to maintain contact.
They may try reaching out through unknown numbers, fake identities, or anonymous online profiles, hoping to catch you off guard. This covert approach is a desperate attempt to bypass your boundaries and regain control over you.
6. Apologize
When there is no way to get back to you, they realize that an apology is what brings you back into control. However, these apologies are often disingenuous and lack genuine remorse. Their primary goal is not to take responsibility for their actions but to manipulate and regain their influence over you. These insincere apologies are part of their elaborate tactics to hoover you back into their web of manipulation.
They might pull out their charm and pretend to be humble, making it tricky to see their real intentions. Spotting these fake apologies is crucial to safeguard yourself from more emotional harm.
7. Smear Campaigns
Although the above points hurt us due to the malicious behavior of narcissists, there are activities of narcissists that are done in an act of revenge or anger. In the list, smear campaigns are one.
When they are unable to handle rejection, they may turn to ruin your reputation if they are unable to deal with rejection and loss of control to preserve face and retain their image of superiority.
They propagate false rumors, half-truths, and distortions about you in order to alter others’ perspectives and turn people against you through a smear campaign. This premeditated and cruel behavior is intended to socially isolate you, making you feel helpless and powerless.
8. Threaten you
Blocking a narcissist can trigger dangerous and manipulative behavior, often leading to threatening actions aimed at regaining control. These threats can take various distressing forms, such as blackmailing, where they may attempt to use personal information or intimate images to coerce and manipulate you.
Their goal is to instill fear and vulnerability, making you reconsider your decision to block them. This doesn’t mean, you should go back to them. However, you should Reach out for support from trusted friends, family, or professionals who can help you navigate this challenging situation.
9. Accuses you as Narcissist
Being a nice person bearing all the abuse and finally getting called a narcissist by someone is unfair, right? You’ll get raged of course in such a situation. That is what exactly a narcissist wants from you. They want to provoke you and see you suffer.
This role reversal is a classic example of projection, where narcissist projects their own traits onto others to avoid facing their own shortcomings. By labeling their target as a narcissist, they attempt to deflect blame and create doubt among mutual friends or acquaintances.
Keep calm and follow the grey rocking method of not reciprocating your feelings to their acts. Stand under the shadow of self-satisfaction and knowing your worth to keep yourself not provoked by others’ accusations.
10. Dating the people you know
This might look unreal, but it is what it is. When you block a narcissist, they may respond with a disturbing and manipulative tactic attempting to date your friends or people you know. This behavior is driven by their need to retaliate against your rejection.
By dating someone in your social circle, they hope to exert influence over your life indirectly and fuel jealousy or insecurity within you. It’s a toxic game aimed at destabilizing your emotional well-being and creating a sense of chaos.
In conclusion, when you block a narcissist, their reactions can be intense and manipulative. Recognizing their tactics and prioritizing your emotional well-being by setting firm boundaries and seeking support from trusted friends is essential.
Remember, their reactions are a reflection of their own insecurities and need for validation, not a reflection of their worth or actions. By staying true to yourself and protecting your mental and emotional health, you can navigate this challenging situation with strength and resilience.
