What Happens When You Ignore a Narcissist?

Listen to this article

In most cases, narcissists like to be the center of attention and want to be treated as significant figures. The question now is, “What happens when you ignore a narcissist?”

On a good day, a narcissistic person can be pretty charming since they can act polite, kind, and full of flavor. Nonetheless, if you knew they were a narcissist, you definitely wouldn’t meet them in the first place. What do narcissists do when you ignore them?

There is nothing a narcissist despises more than being rejected. When you ignore a narcissist, there is a high possibility of them becoming agitated. Keeping everything under control when trying to reject your attention-seeking lover can thus be challenging.

Continue reading to learn more about a narcissist’s reaction to being ignored and find out the answer to the question – Does ignoring a narcissist work?

How will a narcissist respond if they are ignored?

What happens when you ignore a narcissist? Is it ever a good idea to ignore a narcissist? How do you know that you are defending your worth? How do they feel when you are ignoring a narcissist text? All these questions are common to ask when dealing with a narcissist.

It’s indeed difficult to deal with someone who has this persona. They can react violently, excessively, and disorderly to rejection. In a nutshell, they may want and can try to create a scene.

Simply put, narcissists hate being ignored. They may want to make you feel ashamed, regretful, and rattled. They want to be in control and can go to any length to keep feeling empowered.

Understanding that a narcissist may not leave you alone the first time you ignore them is critical. This is the usual narcissist reaction to being ignored. They can treat everything like a game and might be ready to conquer and win.

If you’ve previously tried to ignore them, they’ll almost certainly use the same tactics to capture your attention again. As a result, it’s critical to stand firm in your decision and avoid falling into their trap a second time. Practice the art of ignoring a narcissist’s apology.

Is ignoring a narcissist the best form of backlash?

According to Psychologist Mert Şeker, narcissism is used to describe people with an arrogant and centrist mental health condition who do not consider the needs of those around them, have an excessive sense of self-importance, and need admiration.

You may have heard from somewhere that a narcissist may be able to hurt other people’s feelings and smash self-worth. Thus, taking revenge can make you just as selfish as they are.

Apply the no-contact rule and walk away from them. If you see them somewhere, pretend they don’t exist, ignore them entirely, and move out.

Does ignoring a narcissist work? First of all, narcissists hate being ignored, so ignoring them may be the best form of revenge. But, it should not be your primary motivation. 

The most essential thing here is to be mature enough to let go of toxic individuals in your life, no matter how difficult.

Do narcissists enjoy being ignored?

When you address what happens when you ignore a narcissist, other questions may arise: “Do narcissists enjoy being ignored?” “What do narcissists do when you ignore them?” and “How to ignore a narcissist smartly?”

To begin, a narcissist must meet three basic criteria: a grandiose sense of self, a significant misinterpretation of one’s abilities and talents, and delusions of greatness.

The next characteristic is that they usually expect people to acknowledge and compliment their exceptional abilities. This is known as “mirroring” in the world of psychology.

Finally, a narcissist can crave the acceptance and adoration of others. They are susceptible to being forgotten or disrespected in any way. On the other hand, they frequently fail to see when they are doing this to everyone else.

Ignoring a narcissistic, non-affectionate husband or wife, in essence, can be the worst thing you can do to them. This is why they may act irrationally when ignored; you should be prepared for this. 

We will discuss what you should expect to happen if you ignore this type of person.

15 things that may occur when you start ignoring a narcissist

When you ignore a narcissist, it is difficult for both you and the narcissist. Many things may occur during the process, some of which you may be unaware of. Below is a list of what happens when you ignore a narcissist.

1. They may gaslight you

A narcissist can use psychological techniques to make you doubt your own rationality. Gaslighting is a common and highly effective method a narcissist can use to manipulate you. It could be as easy as the narcissist writing you texts about how much fun you had with them.

Psychologist Mert Şeker says that Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse in which the person is manipulated through lies, denial, and intimidation tactics that cause them to question their own sanity.

Gaslighters often have a narcissistic personality. The gaslighter with a narcissistic personality likely uses manipulation by lying, belittling, trivializing, humiliating, and blaming feelings and thoughts.

2. They may give you an “apology”

An apology from a narcissist can be bogus, so consider reconciliation carefully, and always remember the importance of ignoring a narcissist’s apology when you must.

Smooth-talking, buttering, and perhaps love bombing can occur, so be prepared. They may mislead you until you believe they are becoming a better person.

3. They may feel scared and anxious

They can get fearful and nervous as soon as you begin ignoring them. This is what happens when you ignore a narcissist. They may even start to obsess around you by sending text messages like “I sincerely apologize” or “May we talk?”

Don’t mind them, and witness the effects of ignoring a narcissist.

4. They might be in a rage

When a narcissist becomes enraged, they may attempt to force you to give them what they want. If they start harassing you, you may have to involve the authorities at this point.

Their anger can be intense and unpredictable, and it’s essential to prioritize your safety and well-being when dealing with their outbursts.

5. They may continue texting you

You may receive numerous phone calls, messages, or emails. Simply ignore the sneaky narcissist in all means of communication. Ignoring a narcissist’s text is better than indulging them in anything.

A persistent barrage of messages can be emotionally draining, but maintaining your resolve and not responding is crucial in breaking free from their manipulative grasp.

6. They can badmouth you

A narcissist may try blaming you for the breakup, making you the villain, and pretending like they are the victim in the situation. You can be depicted as the insane one, the abuser, the cheater, and so on. Never mind; this is the usual narcissist reaction to being ignored.

7. They may set up sob stories

Sob stories are one of the main tools narcissists use to deny that they are on the losing side of things. They may even tell such heartbreaking tales to their new partners. 

These fabricated narratives are designed to garner sympathy and paint themselves as victims, manipulating others into believing their version of events. Recognizing these tactics to protect yourself and maintain your boundaries is essential.

8. They may reach out to someone close to you

You might be attacked from all edges, whether through a friend or family member, as you continue ignoring a narcissist. They may try to make this person believe how badly you have mistreated them. What the person is unaware of is how manipulative the narcissist can be.

9. They may stalk you for quite some time

A narcissist may begin stalking you after they have felt the effects of you ignoring them. They might be curious about what you’re up to. It will happen primarily through your social media, but they may also reach out to your closest ones.

10. They may become manipulative to get you back

After failing to persuade you to return to them, they will convince you that you are no better off without them. If that tactic fails and you keep blocking the narcissist, they may threaten to end their life because of you.

At this point, you must stand firm and continue ignoring a narcissist’s apology.

Psychologist Mert Şeker says that a narcissist may refer to what we call “love bombing” in psychology to manipulate you and get your attention back.

The narcissistic individual who thinks you are interested in love bombing will praise you excessively, make you feel good emotionally, and give you nice compliments. The primary purpose here is not for you to be happy but for you to believe in it and turn your attention back to it.

11. They can try other ways to pursue you

When narcissists learn you’re not coming around, they may start bothering you again. They can tell you how much they remember the stuff you used to do together and how much they adore you. Just don’t give in and keep on ignoring them.

12. They may try to track your whereabouts

In their relentless pursuit, narcissists may resort to invasive tactics such as attempting to track your whereabouts. This could involve using remote access trackers on your devices or monitoring your social media activity. 

If you notice your phone’s battery draining unusually fast or unusual login activity on your accounts, it’s crucial to remain vigilant. Protecting your privacy becomes paramount when dealing with such intrusive behavior.

13. They may try to block any meaningful opportunity in your life

As part of their vengeful tactics, narcissists may attempt to thwart any positive opportunities that come your way. This is where things can get complicated in a narcissist reaction to being ignored. 

If you continue to ignore the narcissist who ditched you, expect them to use more merciless ways to disrupt your life.

Psychologist Mert Şeker says that by ignoring a narcissist, you are actually doing them the worst possible harm. Therefore, they will want to hurt you or your feelings.

A narcissist can provoke you with insulting sentences, causing you to give emotional reactions. On the other hand, they may attempt to exclude you from society. They can disparage you in public and direct people in a negative way about you.

Watch Dr. Ramani, an American clinical psychologist and professor of psychology, explaining the type of mind games a narcissist can play to manipulate you in this video:

14. The whole process may seem full of ups and downs

Whatever opportunities you give a narcissist, the outcome will be the same. So keep your head on clear till they entirely disappear from your life. By now, you already know what happens when you ignore a narcissist, so keep moving forward.

15. They give up and look for a new victim

A narcissist can only chase you for so long until they can no longer stand the effects of you ignoring them. They would try to channel their energy into finding somebody new to rub their bruised egos. 

Such a relentless pursuit can stem from their insatiable need for validation, and the cycle repeats itself as they seek fresh targets to bolster their fragile self-esteem. 

Commonly asked questions

Dealing with narcissists can be challenging. Ignoring them is a common strategy, but it raises questions about its effectiveness and ethical implications. Here are concise answers to common questions about ignoring narcissists:

• Can ignoring a narcissist lead to them changing? 

Ignoring a narcissist may not necessarily lead to them changing their behavior. Narcissistic traits are deeply ingrained and challenging to modify. 

A narcissist may react negatively to being ignored or manipulate the situation to regain attention, but long-term change typically requires professional therapy and a willingness to self-reflect.

• Is it cruel to ignore a narcissist? 

Ignoring a narcissist can be seen as a boundary-setting strategy rather than cruelty. Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for self-preservation, especially when dealing with manipulative or toxic individuals. 

It’s essential to prioritize your well-being and mental health.

• Is it possible for a narcissist to ignore someone first? 

While rare, it is possible for a narcissist to ignore someone first. They may employ silent treatment as a manipulation tactic to gain control, punish, or provoke a reaction from the other person.

• How does a narcissist feel when ignored? 

When ignored, a narcissist may feel a range of emotions, including frustration, anger, and insecurity. They often crave attention and admiration, so being ignored can threaten their ego and lead to feelings of rejection.

• Do narcissists hate it when you ignore them? 

Narcissists typically dislike being ignored because it challenges their need for constant validation and control. 

They may react with anger, attempt to regain attention or seek revenge, making it essential to approach such situations cautiously and with support.

Final thoughts

A relationship with a narcissist might have a detrimental emotional impact on you. And, when you finally decide to leave them, it can be a liberating experience. In most cases, individuals who are feeling unwanted by their husband or wife may find themselves in relationships with narcissists. 

Narcissists often demand constant attention and admiration, leaving their partners to grapple with emotions like loneliness and insecurity. Ignoring a narcissist in such a situation can be essential in reclaiming one’s self-worth and mental well-being.

Now that you’ve seen what happens when you ignore a narcissist, you might be more aware of them if you come across another one. Everyone deserves an excellent, healthy relationship. Leaving and blocking the narcissist can be a great way to get out of the situation and move forward.

It may not be an easy task because ignoring a narcissist can enrage them. This can be due to their fragile ego.

If you are still struggling with the effects of ignoring a narcissist, it may help to go into counseling or therapy to learn how to accept things and move on.