Can a Narcissist Drive Someone Crazy? Unpacking the Psychological Toll

Understanding Narcissism: The Root of the Problem

Okay, let’s get straight to it: can a narcissist drive someone crazy? Well, yes, in many cases, they absolutely can. But what does that really mean? To understand how it happens, we need to first dive into the world of narcissism. It's not just about someone being self-centered or obsessed with their looks. No, narcissism is far deeper—and more damaging—than that.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental condition where an individual has an inflated sense of their own importance, a lack of empathy, and a deep need for excessive attention and admiration. This behavior can be incredibly draining for the people around them, especially those close to them, who often feel like they’re walking on eggshells.

The Toxic Dance: Manipulation and Gaslighting

Narcissists are skilled manipulators. I had a friend, let's call her Sarah, who was in a relationship with a narcissist for years. She would tell me about how he’d twist her words, make her doubt her own reality, and then turn around and blame her for everything. That’s gaslighting—a classic tactic of narcissists.

Imagine being told constantly that you're wrong, even when you're sure you're not. Over time, you start questioning your own sanity. Sarah began feeling like she was losing touch with herself, unsure of what was real anymore. That’s the dangerous side of narcissistic behavior—it creates confusion and self-doubt, making the other person feel "crazy." But here's the kicker: it's not them. It’s the narcissist's manipulation.

The Emotional Rollercoaster: How Narcissists Control Your Mind

Love Bombing and Devaluation

One of the reasons narcissists can drive people insane is the emotional rollercoaster they put their victims on. In the beginning, they might treat you like you’re the best thing since sliced bread. This is called "love bombing," where they shower you with compliments, attention, and affection to win your trust.

But here’s the problem: it’s all a trap. Once they’ve hooked you in, they’ll switch gears, often devaluing you, making you feel like you’re never good enough. This push-pull dynamic is maddening. One minute, you feel adored, and the next, you feel completely worthless. The constant emotional whiplash can leave you feeling disoriented and mentally exhausted. It’s like a toxic game where you’re never allowed to win.

Isolation and Control

Another tactic narcissists often use is isolating you from your support network. They’ll subtly (or not so subtly) make you doubt your friends or family, convincing you that they don’t have your best interests at heart. Over time, you might start feeling like the narcissist is the only person you can trust.

This isolation can make it harder to leave, especially when you're emotionally dependent on them. And that, my friend, is when the real madness sets in. You feel trapped, like you can’t breathe, but you also can't get out because they've made you believe you need them. It’s a vicious cycle.

The Long-Term Effects: What Happens to Your Mental Health?

Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD

Living with a narcissist doesn’t just wear you out emotionally—it messes with your mental health. The constant undermining, belittling, and emotional abuse can lead to anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This isn’t just an overreaction; it's a real consequence of narcissistic abuse.

You start feeling constantly on edge, wondering when the next emotional blow will come. Your confidence erodes, and you might start feeling hopeless about ever escaping the cycle. At its worst, it can leave you doubting your ability to trust anyone, even yourself.

I remember a conversation with a colleague, Jenna, who once told me, "I don't even know if I can trust my own instincts anymore." She was describing her experience with her narcissistic ex, and her words really hit home. The damage narcissists do isn’t just temporary; it can have lasting, sometimes permanent effects on your mental and emotional well-being.

Why Narcissists Seem So Impossible to Escape From

The Charm That Keeps You Hooked

So why is it so hard to walk away from a narcissist, even when you know they’re toxic? Well, narcissists are often incredibly charming. They know exactly what to say to get under your skin and make you feel special. You might even find yourself justifying their bad behavior because, at times, they can be really great—at least, for a short while.

It’s like being addicted to something you know is bad for you. They reel you in with affection and compliments, and you start feeling validated, loved, even "chosen." But once you're hooked, the real abuse begins. And that’s the danger—it keeps you tied to them, making it even harder to leave. The highs are high, but the lows are devastating.

They Don’t Want to Lose Control

Here’s the real kicker: narcissists need control. They thrive on dominance, and they can’t stand losing power over their victims. If you start questioning them or pulling away, they’ll often escalate their tactics to keep you in line. This is when things can get even more intense. They’ll do whatever it takes to maintain control, which often includes playing on your emotions, exploiting your weaknesses, or making you feel guilty for wanting to leave.

It’s an exhausting, draining process, and honestly, it’s a big reason why so many people end up staying in toxic relationships for much longer than they should. You feel like you’re losing your mind, but in reality, you’re being subjected to psychological warfare.

The Path to Healing: Can You Recover from a Narcissist’s Grip?

Breaking Free and Regaining Yourself

Can you recover? Absolutely. But it’s a process. The first step is recognizing the abuse and understanding that it wasn’t your fault. Narcissists are experts at making you feel responsible for their behavior, but that’s part of their manipulation. Once you start seeing things clearly, you can begin the journey of healing.

It won’t be easy, and it’ll take time. You might need therapy to help untangle the web of confusion they’ve left in your mind. But with support and self-care, you can regain control of your life and find peace again.

Moving Forward: Learning to Trust Yourself

It might take a while, but as you heal, you’ll start trusting yourself again. You’ll learn how to recognize the signs of narcissistic behavior early on and avoid falling into the same traps. And hey, let’s face it—you’ll be much stronger for it.

To wrap it up, narcissists can definitely drive someone crazy, but it’s not about your mental state—it’s about their manipulative tactics. Once you understand the game, you can stop playing and take back your life. It’s tough, it’s painful, but it’s worth it.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.