If you’re a survivor of narcissistic abuse, then you probably are all too well aware of the defining characteristics of narcissists and how they manipulate and traumatize the people around them. However even if you’re not a survivor, it’s important to understand what narcissism is and how it can impact people’s lives. This narcissism glossary highlights the most common terms associated with narcissists and narcissism.
With a good understanding of the terminology related to narcissistic traits, narcissist abuse and narcissistic personality disorder, you will gain a better insight into the workings of the narcissistic mind. This will enable you to identify and protect yourself from any narcissist you might be unfortunate enough to come across.
Narcissism Glossary of Terms
Abuse by Proxy
Acute Stress Disorder
ACoNs
Adjustment Disorder
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Alienation (after trauma)
Ambient Abuse
Antagonistic Narcissist
Anxiety
Boundaries
Child affected by Parental Relationship Distress (CAPRD)
Cluster A Personality Disorders
Cluster B Personality Disorders
Cluster C Personality Disorders
Codependent or codependency
Coercive Control
Communal Narcissist
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD or C-PTSD)
Covert Narcissist
Dark Triad Personality Traits
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
Divide and Conquer
DoNF – Daughters of Narcissistic Fathers
DoNM – Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers
Enabler
Enmeshment
Fauxpology
Flashbacks
Flying Monkeys
Future Faking
Gaslighting
Grey Rock
Hypervigilance
Learned Helplessness
Linen Cupboard Metaphor
Love Bombing
Overt Narcissist
Machiavellianism
Malignant Narcissist
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Mindfulness
Narcissist Discard
Narcissist Hoovering
Narcissist Triangulation
Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome
Narcissistic Family
Narcissistic Family Scapegoat
Narcissistic Family Golden Child
Narcissistic FOG
Narcissistic Grooming
Narcissistic Injury
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissistic Personality Traits
Narcissistic Projection
Narcissistic Rage
Narcissistic Supply
Narcissistic Smear Campaign
Narcissistic Word Salad
Negative Self-Talk
No Contact
Parental Alienation
Parentification
Pathological Narcissism
Personality Disorder
Personality Trait Narcissism
Psychopathy
PTSD – Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Reactive attachment disorder
Resilience
Trauma Bond
Trauma Trigger
SoNF – Sons of Narcissistic Fathers
SoNM – Sons of Narcissistic Mothers
Narcissism Glossary Blog Posts
Narcissists are not capable of maintaining healthy, stable relationships with anyone. They only maintain relationships as long as the person is still useful to them. When a narcissist no longer needs someone in their lives, they quickly discard them.
Narcissistic projection occurs when a narcissist attributes their own feelings and motivations to others. The term “projection” was first coined by Sigmund Freud, who used it to describe one of the ways the ego defends itself from injury. Narcissists have a very fragile ego, so they resort to projection very often, in order to protect their self esteem.
Parentification is a term used in psychology that refers to the role of a child in a family where the roles of parents and children are reversed. In this type of family, the child often takes on responsibilities and tasks that should be carried out by parents. This can happen in different ways, and have different effects on the child.
Enablers are often characterized by their unwillingness to set boundaries with the narcissist and their need to please them at all costs. They usually have low self-esteem and feel like they can’t survive without the narcissist in their life.
Narcissistic abuse is a type of emotional abuse that is often inflicted on victims by someone who has narcissistic personality disorder.
When a person is in an abusive situation they rapidly learn that their situation is hopeless. This belief becomes a constant refrain in their negative self talk, draining them of any hope. Once the conditioning takes root, the victim is no longer able to assess the situation rationally.
