This article was co-authored by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW and by How.com.vn staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.
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If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a narcissist’s criticisms, you know how frustrating it can be. Why are they accusing you of something with absolutely no basis? Why are they criticizing you for behavior they’re guilty of themselves? The answer is that they're likely projecting. Projection is a defense mechanism narcissists engage in to shift blame away from themselves.[1] If you want to learn more about narcissistic projection, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explain what narcissistic projection is, provide examples of this behavior, and go over a list of ways to deal with it.
Things You Should Know
- Projection is a defense mechanism narcissists use to deflect blame. It involves accusing others of flaws and behaviors the narcissist themselves is guilty of.
- Examples include unfairly accusing you of being unfaithful, claiming you hate them when you don’t, or even accusing you of being a narcissist yourself.
- If you’re dealing with narcissistic projection, setting boundaries, refraining from engaging in arguments, and focusing on self-care can help.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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Tips
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about relationships, check out our in-depth interview with Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW.
References
- ↑ https://dictionary.apa.org/projection
- ↑ https://dictionary.apa.org/projection
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/savvy-shrink/2018/07/what-is-narcissistic-projection-a-blame-shifting-tactic-of-the-extreme-narcissist#1
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/what-is-projection
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/what-is-projection
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/what-is-projection#mental-health
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662
- ↑ https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/9-signs-of-narcissistic-personality-disorder
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/savvy-shrink/2018/07/what-is-narcissistic-projection-a-blame-shifting-tactic-of-the-extreme-narcissist#1
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/relationships/psychological-effects-of-false-accusations-in-relationships#what-do-false-accusations-mean
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/what-is-projection
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/pro/exhausted-woman/2015/06/how-a-narcissist-verbally-abuses#1
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-bruises/202210/6-ways-deal-when-narcissist-calls-you-narcissist
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/what-is-projection
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/pro/recovery-expert/2019/08/setting-boundaries-with-a-narcissist#1
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/how-to-be-more-self-aware-and-why-its-important#tips
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9742-narcissistic-personality-disorder
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9742-narcissistic-personality-disorder
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9742-narcissistic-personality-disorder
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/finding-good-therapist
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