The Narcissists Oppressive Communication Style

Have you ever been trapped in a droning conversation with a narcissist? Did they ramble on ceaselessly about nothing, weaving tall tales of nonsensical word salad, or repeat the same story you’ve heard over and over? When you tried to join in on the convo were you met with rage and accused of constantly interrupting them or were you completely ignored as their diarrhea of the mouth continued?

My abuser's idea of a “good talk” was one where he did all the talking and I just sat there and listened. Communication was all about him and he made sure to shut me down quite early in the relationship. If I didn’t sit silently and hang on to his every word he would either go into a rage or he’d abruptly stop the conversation and tell me if I didn’t start learning how to communicate we wouldn’t be talking.

When narcissists' are talking it is not a give and take exchange. They are not talking to get your feedback. They simply want an audience to sit there and absorb everything they are saying and your views or opinions are completely irrelevant. Narcissists communicate in ways to demonstrate their false superiority, conceit, and entitlement, and to manipulate, exploit, and control relationships.

Healthy conversation is a two-way street, with each party taking turns speaking and listening with mutual interest. A narcissist…