Narcissistic Rage: What It Is and How to Stay Safe When It Shows Up

Hi, I am Dr. Andrea Zorbas, a psychologist from Therapy Now SF. Let's talk about narcissistic rage and how it can be confusing and alarming, especially when it appears out nowhere. Today I'll explain what narcissistic rage is, why it happens, and how to stay grounded and safe when it shows up.

So first off, what is narcissistic rage? It is an intense emotional reaction triggered when a narcissist self-image feels threatened. It can show up as: explosive anger, verbal attacks, the silent treatment, blame shifting, or intimidation. It's not necessarily proportional to the situation. It's about regaining control.

Next, what are some common triggers? Triggers often include: setting boundaries, when you're disagreeing or saying no, not providing admiration, or shifting attention away from them. These moments feel like personal attacks to someone with narcissistic traits.

So why does reasoning not working? In moments of rage, logic, and empathy completely shut down. So trying to explain yourself often escalates the situation because it threatens their sense of dominance or superiority.

Lastly, how can you protect yourself if this happens? Stay calm and neutral: avoid emotional engagement. Limit exposure: so keep interactions brief and factual. Hold firm boundaries: repeat them without explanation. And lastly, prioritize safety: if anger escalates, remove yourself physically or emotionally.

So how do you have emotional recovery after this rage, even when you handle it well, narcissistic rage can honestly leave you very shaken. So grounding practices, support systems and therapy can help restore clarity and confidence.

If narcissistic rage is part of a relationship you're navigating, you may wanna contact Therapy Now SF. Therapy can help you develop safety plans. It can strengthen boundaries and protect your emotional wellbeing.