What is the Last Stage of Narcissism? Understanding the Darker Side

The Stages of Narcissism: A Quick Overview

Honestly, if you’ve ever wondered about the last stage of narcissism, you're not alone. Narcissistic behavior can be confusing and often feels like you're walking in a maze with no clear path out. For those unfamiliar, narcissism is a personality disorder that revolves around an excessive need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and often, an inflated sense of self-importance.

Narcissists tend to go through different phases in their interactions, especially in relationships. So, let’s break down what the last stage of narcissism truly means. It’s not something that’s talked about much, but understanding it can really help if you’re dealing with a narcissist in your life.

The Phases of Narcissism: From Idealization to Devaluation

Idealization Stage: The Honeymoon Period

At the start, everything feels perfect. The narcissist puts you on a pedestal, showering you with attention, admiration, and love. They are charming, charismatic, and seem like the perfect partner, friend, or colleague. Honestly, if you’ve been through this stage, you probably thought you found the perfect match.

But, here’s the thing – narcissists only idealize you because they see you as a source of validation. They need to feel special, so they choose people who feed into their delusions of grandeur.

Devaluation: When Things Take a Turn

Soon after, you’ll start noticing the emotional manipulation and disrespect. The narcissist begins to criticize you, belittle you, and take you for granted. This stage is brutal because it feels like they’re no longer interested in you as a person—they're only interested in controlling or subjugating you.

I went through this personally, and trust me, it’s confusing and hurtful. You go from being adored to being treated like you're not enough. It's painful to see how someone you cared about can turn on you so quickly.

Discarding: The Ultimate Blow

And now, here we are at the last stage: the discard phase. This is when the narcissist completely casts you aside. They’ve gotten all they could from you (whether it was admiration, love, or whatever they needed at the time), and now you're no longer useful to them. At this point, they might cut you off entirely without any explanation.

Honestly, this stage can feel like a final rejection. It's not just the end of the relationship; it's the complete erasure of your existence in their life. If you’ve been discarded, you might find yourself wondering, “How did it go from admiration to this?” Well, it's because narcissists don't see people—they see objects to be used.

Why Does This Happen? What Drives the Last Stage of Narcissism?

The Narcissistic Cycle: Repeating Patterns

Actually, the last stage isn’t just a one-time event. It’s often part of a cycle. Narcissists tend to repeat this behavior over and over again with different people. The idealization, devaluation, and discard cycle is like a twisted routine for them. They get bored, move on, and seek their next source of validation.

And here's the thing: it's not because you did something wrong. Narcissists lack empathy and cannot sustain genuine relationships. For them, people are just a means to an end. This might sound harsh, but it's important to realize that their actions have more to do with their mental state than with your worth as a person.

What Happens to Narcissists in the Last Stage?

Well, once they discard someone, narcissists might feel an initial sense of victory. They believe they've regained their sense of superiority and that they are in control. But, after a while, they start to feel empty again. They need a constant stream of admiration, and when that is absent, they can slip back into depression or frustration. Sometimes, they’ll reach out to you again, but usually only when they need something—attention, validation, or just someone to manipulate.

How to Deal with the Last Stage of Narcissism

Protecting Yourself: Setting Boundaries

Honestly, the best way to deal with the last stage of narcissism is to protect yourself. This might mean cutting all contact and refusing to engage with the narcissist. You don’t owe them an explanation or closure—they don’t deserve it.

Set clear boundaries, and stick to them. If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, this is where you need to prioritize your mental health and well-being. It's hard, especially if you’re emotionally attached to them, but remember: you deserve respect.

Seeking Help: Therapy and Support

I get it—leaving a narcissist behind isn’t easy. It took me years to break free from a toxic relationship, and sometimes I still find myself questioning certain things. But, seeking professional help can make a huge difference. Therapy can help you understand the patterns of narcissistic abuse and give you the tools you need to heal.

Talking to friends and family can also offer the emotional support you need. Narcissistic relationships can be isolating, so don’t try to go through it alone.

Conclusion: Understanding the Last Stage of Narcissism

Honestly, the last stage of narcissism—discarding—is a painful experience. But it’s also a necessary step in understanding the toxic cycle narcissists live in. By recognizing the patterns and setting clear boundaries, you can protect yourself from further harm.

So, if you’re dealing with a narcissist who has discarded you or someone you love, take comfort in the fact that it’s not about you. It’s all about their insecurities and need for control. Recognizing this can give you the strength to move forward and heal. You’re better off without 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.