How Do Narcissists Argue? The Surprising Tactics They Use

The Narcissist’s Argument Style: It’s All About Control

Honestly, dealing with a narcissist in an argument is exhausting. I’ve been there, and trust me, it can feel like you're in a never-ending loop. The thing is, narcissists don’t argue like regular people—they argue to win, and most importantly, to maintain control. They don’t really care about resolving the issue; it’s more about protecting their fragile ego.

Gaslighting: Turning the Tables on You

One of the most common tactics narcissists use during arguments is gaslighting. Ever been in a conversation where you feel like you're going crazy because your version of events is constantly being twisted? That’s gaslighting. It’s frustrating, and honestly, it makes you second-guess yourself. I remember a time when a narcissistic colleague told me I was "overreacting" to a simple misunderstanding. After a few rounds of this, I was questioning my own reality. It’s a mind game—and a dangerous one at that.

The Silent Treatment: Punishment by Ignoring

If you’ve ever been subjected to the silent treatment, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Narcissists can shut you down emotionally in a split second, and when they do, they expect you to be begging for their attention. I once had a friend who would go completely silent during arguments, leaving me to stew in confusion. The silence spoke louder than words—it was like being punished for daring to confront them. It’s their way of making you feel powerless, hoping that eventually, you’ll give in to their demands.

Manipulative Language: The Charm and the Bite

Here’s the thing: narcissists are experts at using manipulative language. They’ll say just enough to make you feel guilty or like you’re the problem. And the worst part? They usually do it with such charm that you end up questioning whether you’re overreacting.

Playing the Victim: "Poor Me" Strategy

Narcissists love to play the victim, especially when they’re caught in a lie or wrongdoing. I’ll be honest—I’ve seen this up close. A friend of mine once accused a narcissistic partner of being unfaithful, and instead of addressing the issue, he turned the tables and made her feel bad for “attacking” him. He played the victim card so well that for days, she ended up comforting him instead of confronting his behavior. It’s manipulation at its finest.

Over-the-Top Arguments: They’re Always Right

Another thing narcissists do is make over-the-top arguments. Have you ever tried to make a simple point, only for the narcissist to escalate it to some dramatic level? Suddenly, a small disagreement turns into a huge conflict, with them screaming about how wronged they’ve been. It’s exhausting and, honestly, it makes you feel like you're the one at fault for even bringing it up. It’s a tactic to distract from the original issue and put all the blame on you.

How to Handle Arguments with a Narcissist

Well, you may be wondering—what can you do when faced with these tactics? How can you even win an argument with someone who’s constantly manipulating the situation?

Stay Calm and Stick to Facts

I’ve learned the hard way that trying to argue emotionally with a narcissist is like playing with fire—you’re just going to get burned. They thrive on emotional reactions because it gives them power over you. Instead, try to stick to the facts. Stay calm and assertive, and avoid getting drawn into their emotional games. It's tough, believe me, but it works.

Set Boundaries and Be Prepared to Walk Away

This is key: boundaries. Narcissists will test your limits, pushing you to the edge to see how far they can go. Set firm boundaries, and don’t hesitate to walk away if the argument starts spiraling out of control. It’s one of the best ways to protect your peace.

Know When to Stop Engaging

Honestly, there are times when the best thing to do is just stop engaging altogether. After a while, you’ll start to realize that arguing with a narcissist rarely leads to a productive outcome. You’re not going to change their mind, and you're definitely not going to "win" the argument. Sometimes, silence really is golden.

Narcissistic Arguments: More Than Just Frustration

The thing that always gets me is how draining these interactions can be. Narcissists argue not because they care about the issue at hand, but because they need to feel superior. And it’s exhausting trying to meet someone in the middle when they have no interest in compromise.

Protecting Yourself: Emotional Self-Care

If you’re constantly dealing with narcissistic arguments, it’s important to prioritize emotional self-care. Take time for yourself, and make sure you have a support system in place. Talking to someone who understands can make a huge difference. Honestly, I had a friend who was in a relationship with a narcissist for years, and it wasn’t until she leaned on others that she truly started to understand how toxic the situation was.

So, how do narcissists argue? Well, they argue to win. They gaslight, manipulate, and use your emotions against you to maintain control. It’s a battle of wills, and if you’re not prepared, you could easily get caught in their web. But the key to surviving these arguments lies in setting clear boundaries, staying calm, and remembering that their goal is never resolution, but domination.

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.