How Do Narcissists React When You Are Sick?

The narcissist’s sick-day behavior: a twisted mirror

When you’re sick, you expect care, maybe some tea, right? But with narcissists... it’s a whole different game. Their reaction isn't about you. It’s about them. Always.

They often see your illness as an inconvenience, not a condition. You being unwell might trigger annoyance, jealousy (yes, really), or even contempt. Why? Because you’re stealing the spotlight. You’re not available to prop up their ego—and that doesn't sit well.

Let’s break down what actually happens.

Emotional reactions: it’s not what you expect

Anger or cold detachment

You’d think they’d be sympathetic. But instead, they might lash out. Not directly, maybe—it can be subtle. They’ll roll their eyes. Say, “You’re being dramatic”. Or completely ignore your symptoms, like nothing's happening.

There was this one guy—let’s call him Mark. His girlfriend got the flu, real bad. Bedridden, high fever. He didn’t bring soup. He brought complaints: “You said we’d go to that dinner Friday.”
That’s textbook. The illness isn’t the problem—your attention being elsewhere is.

Feigned concern (but for image)

Some narcissists do show up—flowers, soup, the whole bit. But there’s a catch: it’s for show. If someone’s watching (or they can talk about it later), they might perform empathy. Behind closed doors though? Less pretty. The mask slips.

When you need help: manipulation creeps in

Guilt-tripping you for being sick

Narcissists often twist the situation to seem like they’re the real victim. You cancel dinner plans due to illness? Now they’re the one who’s “abandoned.”

They’ll say things like:

• “You’re always sick when I need you.”

• “Why didn’t you warn me sooner?”

• “Great, now I have to do everything.”

Your flu becomes their martyr moment. And somehow, you feel guilty for needing rest.

Using sickness to regain control

Here’s where it gets creepier. Some will suddenly become overly helpful—offering to make decisions for you, manage your meds, talk to doctors. Sounds nice, right? But it’s a power play.
They’re not helping you recover. They’re reminding you how dependent you are. Subtle domination in action.

I’ve even heard of narcissists “accidentally” giving the wrong dose of medication—“Oh, my bad. I didn’t know it mattered.” Wild stuff.

If you recover: don’t expect applause

When you start getting better, there’s no “Yay, you made it!” moment. They might actually get sulky or distant. Why? Because the attention goes back to normal—you’re no longer the fragile focus of the house.

Some narcissists even prolong your sick-role just to keep you in a dependent state. Like, they insist you “rest” longer than needed, or keep mentioning how weak you looked. Subtle sabotage.

When the roles reverse: if they're the sick one...

Quick tangent (but kinda important): when the narcissist gets sick? Everything flips. They want the world to stop. They're the most heroic victim you've ever seen.
They expect worship-level care. And if you don’t deliver? You’re the worst person alive.

It’s a wild double standard—and it really shows what the illness dynamic means to them: a chance for power, not vulnerability.

Final thoughts: don’t expect empathy—protect your energy

So yeah, if you’re sick and the person around you is a narcissist… brace yourself. Whether it’s gaslighting, guilt-tripping, or just plain coldness, empathy is rarely on the menu.

Your best bet? Don’t internalize it. Their reaction says way more about them than it does about you. You deserve rest, care, and actual compassion—not an emotional chess game.

And hey, if you’re reading this while under the weather—grab that tea, curl up, and know this: you’re not overreacting. Some people are just wired to make everything about them.

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.