HOW NARCISSISTS MANIPULATE EVEN THE SMARTEST PEOPLE

By: Khalif Barkhadle,
Digital Journalist

Published On:16th March 2025

Today, I’m going to explain the subtle and complex ways in which a narcissist manipulates your emotions and weaponizes your vulnerabilities. I’ll also discuss why even intelligent, rational, emotionally well-adjusted people can fall prey to a narcissist’s manipulation tactics. At the end of this article, I will also tell you the three biggest mistakes people make when they first realize that they are in a narcissistic relationship.

1: Narcissists Are Master Charmers

Narcissists, including covert ones, are typically very good at reading people and quickly understanding their needs, desires, and emotional vulnerabilities. They tailor their approach to make you feel like you’re the center of their world, showering you with attention, compliments, and affection.

While overt narcissists may use grand gestures to display their affection, covert narcissists often use subtle tactics, presenting themselves as humble, shy, or even self-effacing. This makes their attention feel like a rare and special gift.

A key difference is that covert narcissists will paint you as their hero, positioning you as the one who truly understands them and can help them, creating a false sense of importance, obligation, and responsibility. Overt narcissists, on the other hand, paint themselves as the hero of the story and the answer to all of your prayers.