What Makes A Narcissist Panic? 5 Things That Worry Them

Last updated August 6, 2021 by Katie M.

Dealing with a narcissist is never an easy feat, but understanding what makes these toxic personalities tick is key to avoiding their poisonous grip. Now, although these folks like to make people believe they have everything together and are untouchable, the truth couldn't be any further from this false reality. Narcissists worry like just everyone else, and perhaps even more so because they are living behind a mask and are constantly stressed about being exposed. Although they want people to believe that they are strong and resilient, there are certain things that make them sweat and definitely keep them up at night. Discover the 5 things that send them into panic mode.

5 Prospects that activate a narcissist’s panic mode

1) The aging process

I know what you’re thinking, everyone hates getting old and certainly no one likes to wake up counting their gray hairs, but it’s unfortunately a fact of life that we ALL have to deal with. Well, not for a narcissist, or at least not in their opinion that is. These people are nothing short of obsessed with their image and how they look. They want and need to be the most attractive, most fashionable and most eye-catching people in the bar. If people don’t check them out in the street, then, according to them, something’s terribly wrong. For them, getting older is synonymous with being less attractive and desirable and the process is certainly enough to drive them crazy.

2) Being faced with boundaries

If you want to see a narcissist rage, then all you have to do is set up boundaries and start taking control of the situation. These folks hate being told no and having decisions made for them, so if you start doing this, then you could potentially push them over the edge. Being faced with the prospect of losing control of their victims is something that sends them into a frenzy because they just aren’t equipped to deal with rules and the principles of normal relationships. Not being in the driving seat is something that they really can’t deal with and could even encourage them to become even more manipulative in order to regain the lost control.

3) Losing their status

Narcissists suffer from over inflated egos and believe they have the right to do as they please, but when they don’t get their own way, they often get out of hand. For them, losing their status is the equivalent of losing people’s admiration and therefore feeling ordinary. The sad thing is, folks with this personality disorder eventually start to believe their own lies and create their own sense of false reality, which they require others to feed into. If, for example, they lose their job or fall on hard times financially, all hell will break loose because they’ll feel judged and lowly. Anything that makes them go from god status to Mr Ordinary absolutely petrifies them.

4) Receiving criticism

There’s nothing a narcissist hates more than being criticized. Now, I know what you’re about to say, no one likes criticism, but these guys take their hate for it to a whole different level. For them, being given pointers or told that something they’ve done isn’t quite up to scratch is a complete nightmare that tortures them. Their god complex leads them to believe that they are perfect and always right, so why would anyone else think any differently? Plus, why do these folks even deserve to have opinions on them when they are so untouchable? Criticism is a huge source of stress for them, but isn’t consequent enough to make them reconsider their actions...

5) Being unmasked

Our narcissists abusers know deep down that their behavior is dangerous and toxic, but that doesn’t mean that they want other people to know what they’re really like. They want their friends, family and coworkers to believe that they are successful, strong, loving, kind and caring people who should serve as role models to everyone else. Being publicly unmasked by their victims is definitely something that deprives them of sleep, after all, they don’t want to look bad and certainly won’t want to be viewed as an abuser.

Editor’s opinion: Narcissists are cunning; don’t be deceived!

Whether you are in a relationship with one or simply just friends with one, being around these people is extremely harmful for your mental health. Although it may seem tough and even verge on impossible, the only solution to save yourself from the clutches of one, is to walk away. If you are unable to take the necessary steps to take so, why not consider reaching out to a support group or even contacting a therapist for guidance.

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