At this stage, paranoia sets in. They might accuse their caretakers of poisoning them or claim they’re being conspired against. They’ll act clingy and may even make promises, like including someone in their will, to gain support. But their goal is always selfish—they need others to validate their victimhood.
Behavior 4: Compulsive Self-Pity
Collapsed narcissists often engage in compulsive self-pity. They’ll nostalgically recall their past power and lament their current state. For example, my grandfather would talk about how people used to fear him and how he could accomplish so much in his youth, contrasting it with his frailty in old age.
This constant self-pity stems from their inability to accept the natural progression of life. Ironically, these are the same people who would have mocked others for showing vulnerability in their prime.
Behavior 5: Obsessive Focus on One Event or Person
A collapsed narcissist often fixates obsessively on one event or person, blaming them for their downfall. It could be a partner, a child, or even a colleague. They refuse to take responsibility for their condition, instead projecting their issues onto others.
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