If you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a day in the shoes of a narcissist, look no further. Here are five weaknesses all narcissists have that cause chaos and pain in their lives:

They’re Addicts

Because their entire sense of self is predicated on a constant stream of narcissistic supply, the narcissist is effectively an addict. Deep down, they crave attention, adulation and services. Without it, they would be met with a horrifying existential angst, and be faced with the spectre of their underlying trauma and toxic shame.

While on the surface the narcissist might seem calm and in control, it only takes an extended period of indifference to them or abandonment to turn the screws and reveal their true nature.

Since they are so reliant on narcissistic supply, the narcissist is susceptible to being buttered up. Act helpless in front of them, compliment them and do as they say, and they can’t help but play the saviour and give you their time. Being the doorway to their supply is the best way to control them, taking that supply away is the best way to thrust them into crisis and chaos.

They Live In A Fantasy World

The narcissist has a hard time truly seeing others and interacting with reality. They have gaps in memory, they see people as they want them to be, and they overlook important details. This leads to a lot of dysfunction and frustration, as the world they see is an illusion, and does not respond how they expect.

As a result, people tend to get frustrated and confused by the narcissist. Society encourages us to be sociable, and so people give the narcissist the benefit of the doubt. But deep down they sense something off, and it is only a matter of time before they pull away from the narcissist and their deluded view of the world.

The Borderline

The borderline is the narcissist’s kryptonite and greatest weakness. The narcissist cannot help but fall for the borderline’s seduction and feigned helplessness. The borderline is initially full of energy and enthusiasm, which provides plenty of narcissistic supply. Borderlines like to pretend to be childish, which resonates with the narcissist’s superiority complex and allows them to play the saviour. Sex is usually abundant with the borderline. The borderline also like to dwell in a fantasy world. They seem like a match made in heaven.

Soon, however, the narcissist gets a taste of their own medicine, as they are abused in countless ways in the borderline’s chaotic world. Triangulation, push/pull and constant drama leave the narcissist shattered and running for the hills.

They Are Doomed To Burn All Bridges

Narcissists carry immense trauma, and so they rely on fantasy to get by in the world. Because they are not dealing with reality, however, the fantasy quickly wears out, and leaves the narcissist disillusioned and angry.

Their typical response is to blame others, and so they cut people off suddenly and brutally to deal with the failure of their fantasy. Having not looked within themselves for the source of the problem, the narcissist repeats this dynamic over and over, until they have used up every person in their life and discarded them, leaving the narcissist resentful and alone.

They Can’t Help But One-Up People

A narcissist avoids shame at all costs. Any time someone demonstrates success or speaks their opinion, the narcissist takes it as a threat, and quickly counters with an opinion of their own or spouts their own success. This alienates others and keeps the narcissist from ever bonding with people in a meaningful way.