When narcissists give you the cold shoulder, it’s not just silence; it’s a performance of superiority. They want you to feel like you don’t even deserve a response. Psychologist Dr. Craig Malkin, author of Rethinking Narcissism, explains that narcissists crave feeling special, and one way they do that is by making others feel small. So when they freeze you out, they’re not just avoiding you; they’re sending a message that you’re beneath them. As twisted as it is, it often works because humans are wired to seek connection. You end up questioning your worth while they sit on their imaginary throne of self-importance.
6. Avoiding Intimacy and Vulnerability
When conversations start to dip below the surface and head into emotional territory, narcissists hit you with the silent treatment like a fire alarm in a kitchen—they just want out. Vulnerability feels like danger to them because it pokes at their fragile sense of self. According to therapist Eleanor Pac, author of The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, narcissists fear exposure to their emotional limitations, so they withdraw or shut down rather than reveal their inner world. When you’re trying to connect on a deeper level, their silence isn’t just cold; it’s protective—not for you, but for their ego. Emotional intimacy means being seen, and for a narcissist, being seen is terrifying, especially when the mask might crack.
7. Shifting the Narrative
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