The aftermath: Narcissist’s behavior when caught cheating

The aftermath: Narcissist’s behavior when caught cheating

When you discover that your partner has been cheating on you, it’s an earth-shattering experience. You feel a range of emotions such as betrayal, disbelief, anger, sadness, and confusion. But what happens when the person who cheated on you is a narcissist?

Narcissists believe that they are superior to others and will go to great lengths to protect their self-image. When caught cheating, a narcissist’s behavior can be confusing and manipulative. They may deny the evidence, blame you for their actions, or even try to turn the situation around and make you feel guilty.

As someone who has been through this experience, I want to shed some light on what to expect from a narcissist after they are caught cheating. It’s essential to understand their behavior patterns to protect yourself from further emotional damage.

How does a narcissist act when caught cheating?

When a narcissist is caught cheating, their reactions can be quite unpredictable and counterintuitive. Here are a few possible ways that a narcissist may act when caught cheating:

  • Denial: Narcissists are notorious for denying their actions, especially when those actions paint them in a negative light. So, if you confront a narcissist with evidence of their cheating, they may deny it outright, even in the face of overwhelming proof. They may accuse you of fabricating the evidence, misinterpreting their behavior, or simply being paranoid.
  • Gaslighting: Gaslighting is a tactic that narcissists use to make you doubt your own perceptions and memories. When caught cheating, a narcissist may try to convince you that you’re crazy or delusional for suspecting them. They may tell you that you’re remembering things wrong, or that you’re imagining things that never happened. This can be incredibly disorienting, and it can make you feel like you’re losing your grip on reality.
  • Projecting: Projection is another common tactic that narcissists use when caught in the act. They may try to pin their infidelity on you, accusing you of cheating or lying to cover up their own misbehavior. This not only redirects the blame onto you, but it also creates a smokescreen that obscures their own actions.
  • Justifying: Narcissists have a knack for rationalizing their behavior, no matter how egregious it may be. If caught cheating, they may try to explain away their actions by claiming that they were “forced” into it, or that it was somehow your fault. They may say things like, “I only cheated because you weren’t giving me enough attention,” or “I had to do it to feel alive.” These justifications are rarely based in reality, but they can be very persuasive.

    • Ultimately, the way that a narcissist reacts to being caught cheating will depend on their individual personality and coping mechanisms. However, by knowing some common tactics that narcissists use, you can better prepare yourself for the fallout and avoid falling into their traps.

    ???? Pro Tips:

    1. Refuses to take responsibility: A narcissist caught cheating is likely to deny, deflect, and deny any and all responsibility. They may shift blame onto their partner, make excuses, or even try to gaslight their partner into thinking they’re overreacting.

    2. Shows little to no remorse: A narcissist may not feel genuine guilt or remorse after cheating, especially if they believe they’re entitled to do whatever they want. They may act like nothing is wrong or make a big show of being “sorry” without actually meaning it.

    3. Tries to manipulate the situation: Narcissists may attempt to manipulate their partner by threatening to leave, promising to change, or showering them with affection. This may be an attempt to distract their partner from the real issue or to regain control over the situation.

    4. Blames their partner: In addition to denying responsibility, narcissists may also blame their partner for their infidelity. They may claim that their partner was neglectful, unattractive, or unaffectionate as a way to justify their behavior.

    5. May retaliate: Finally, a narcissist caught cheating may resort to retaliation if they feel threatened or exposed. This could involve spreading rumors or lies about their partner, threatening to leave or take the children, or even engaging in more extreme forms of gaslighting or manipulation.

    How Does a Narcissist Act When Caught Cheating?

    Infidelity can be devastating to any relationship, but when you’re dealing with a narcissist, catching them in the act can become a whole other level of emotional manipulation and deceit. Narcissists are notorious for their lack of empathy and their overwhelming desire for attention and admiration. So when it comes to cheating, many narcissists will go to great lengths to keep the lie going, even if you have evidence to the contrary. Here are some common tactics narcissists use when caught cheating.

    Gaslighting: Turning the Tables

    Gaslighting is a well-known tactic of narcissists that involves manipulating someone’s sense of reality to make them doubt their own sanity. When a narcissist is caught cheating, they might try to turn the tables on you by gaslighting you into believing that you’re the one who’s crazy. They might tell you that you’re imagining things or that you’re being paranoid for no reason. They might even go so far as to accuse you of cheating on them first as a way to deflect the blame.

    Bullet Points:

  • Gaslighting is a tactic used by narcissists to manipulate someone’s sense of reality
  • When caught cheating, the narcissist might try to gaslight you into believing that you’re the one who’s crazy
  • They may accuse you of cheating first to deflect blame

    Buck-Passing: Blaming the Victim

    Narcissists love to play the victim, and when caught cheating, they might use this tactic to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. They might blame you for driving them to cheat or for not being attentive enough to their needs. They might try to make you feel guilty for accusing them of cheating or even make you apologize to them for your suspicions.

    Bullet Points:

  • Narcissists love to play the victim
  • When caught cheating, they might blame you for their actions
  • They may try to make you feel guilty for accusing them or even make you apologize to them

    Delusion: A Narcissist’s Reality

    Narcissists often have a distorted sense of reality, and when caught cheating, they might use this to their advantage. They might try to convince you that what they did wasn’t really cheating or that it didn’t mean anything. They might even try to justify their actions by saying that they were doing it for your own good or that it was necessary for their own personal growth.

    Bullet Points:

  • Narcissists often have a distorted sense of reality
  • When caught cheating, they might try to convince you that what they did wasn’t really cheating
  • They may try to justify their actions by saying it was for your own good or necessary for their own personal growth

    Manipulation: Twisted Emotional Tactics

    Narcissists are masters of emotional manipulation, and when caught cheating, they might use this skill to their advantage. They might try to guilt-trip you into forgiving them or use flattery to make you feel special. They might even promise to change their ways or give you extravagant gifts as a way to distract you from their infidelity.

    Bullet Points:

  • Narcissists are masters of emotional manipulation
  • When caught cheating, they might use guilt-trips or flattery to make you forgive them
  • They may promise to change their ways or give you extravagant gifts to distract you from their infidelity

    Dismissal: Brushing it Off Completely

    Some narcissists might try to downplay their actions and act like it’s no big deal when caught cheating. They might say that “everyone does it” or that “it wasn’t that serious.” They might even act like they’re doing you a favor by being honest about it and that you should just be happy they told you the truth.

    Bullet Points:

  • Some narcissists might downplay their actions when caught cheating
  • They might say that “everyone does it” or that “it wasn’t that serious”
  • They may act like they’re doing you a favor by being honest and that you should be grateful

    Righteousness: Playing the Victim

    Narcissists often see themselves as above reproach, and when caught cheating, they might play the victim and act like they’re being unfairly accused. They might get angry or defensive and refuse to accept any responsibility for their actions. They might even try to portray themselves as a martyr, sacrificing their happiness for the sake of the relationship.

    Bullet Points:

  • Narcissists often see themselves as above reproach
  • When caught cheating, they might play the victim and refuse to accept responsibility
  • They may portray themselves as a martyr, sacrificing their happiness for the sake of the relationship

    Repudiation: Erasing the Evidence

    When caught cheating, some narcissists might try to erase the evidence to avoid being held accountable. They might delete incriminating texts or emails or even try to convince you to destroy any physical evidence you have. They might even try to gaslight you into believing that you never had any proof to begin with.

    Bullet Points:

  • Some narcissists might try to erase the evidence when caught cheating
  • They might delete incriminating texts or emails
  • They may try to convince you to destroy any physical evidence you have or gaslight you into believing you never had any proof

    In conclusion, when a narcissist is caught cheating, they often resort to manipulative tactics to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. From gaslighting to blaming the victim to erasing evidence, these tactics can make it difficult to confront a narcissist about their infidelity. However, it’s important to remember that you deserve honesty and respect in a relationship, and a narcissist’s actions should never be excused or justified.

     

    • Similar Posts