NEUTRALIZING NARCISSISM

Unveiling the Impact of Cognitive Dissonance in Narcissistic Abuse: How Narcissists Create Confusion and Uncertainty to Control Their Victims

Recognizing and Combating the Techniques of Gaslighting and Manipulation

Mark Randall Havens
5 min readJan 13, 2023

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This article explores the concept of cognitive dissonance and how it is used in narcissistic abuse. It delves into the ways in which narcissists use techniques such as gaslighting and manipulation to create confusion and uncertainty in their victims, in order to maintain control over them. Photo by Maria Lysenko on Unsplash.

Have you ever felt like your own understanding of reality was being challenged and distorted? You may be experiencing cognitive dissonance, a mental state that can be triggered by narcissistic abuse.

Introduction

Cognitive dissonance is a potent weapon that narcissists use to retain control over their victims. Narcissists rely on techniques such as gaslighting and manipulation to create confusion and uncertainty in their victims, making it easier for them to maintain power in the relationship. This article aims to shed light on the concept of cognitive dissonance and how it is used in narcissistic abuse, providing strategies for identifying and overcoming these techniques.

Understanding Cognitive Dissonance and Its Role in Narcissistic Abuse

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort that arises when a person’s beliefs or values are challenged by new information…

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Mark Randall Havens

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