Narcissists are parasites. They are energy vampires, users, and abusers. They are very taxing on your physical, mental, and emotional health. I know this is something I talk about a lot from different angles, but I think it is important to emphasize this point. So, today I will be discussing their parasitic nature because narcissists are parasites. This essentially refers to their tendency to exploit others for their own gain, often without giving anything back or considering the well-being of the people they use. I will break down how narcissists resemble parasites and how they even try to hide what they are doing.
Now, let’s talk about the parasitic nature of narcissists, which is deeply rooted in their need to maintain their fragile self-esteem and grandiose sense of self. Parasites need a host, which is why I always say that the narcissist needs you more than you need them. Their survival depends on leeching off others—whether socially, emotionally, or financially. Although many narcissists appear independent, self-sufficient, or superior, this is a carefully constructed mask. Beneath that mask, they rely heavily on others to regulate their emotions and sense of self-worth. This dependency creates a cycle where they constantly seek new “hosts” to replenish their ego.
Narcissists engage in emotional feeding, and they can do this with anyone who crosses their path. When they feed emotionally, they use manipulative techniques such as gaslighting, projection, blame-shifting, and silent treatments to extract admiration, attention, and emotional responses. This makes them feel important because they rely on others to validate their self-worth. This emotional dependence is always one-sided: the narcissist takes and takes, while their targets often feel drained, confused, and used.
Narcissists also thrive on drama and conflict, keeping their targets guessing. This creates emotional highs and lows, putting you on an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you off balance and feeding the narcissist.
Next, let’s discuss the exploitation of resources. Narcissists can exploit others in three main ways:
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- Financially: Borrowing money without repayment, demanding lavish gifts, or living off others’ resources.
- Professionally: Taking credit for your work or using colleagues as steppingstones for personal advancement.
- Socially: Leveraging others’ networks or reputations for their own gain without reciprocating.
This is why narcissistic relationships are so draining. Everything revolves around the narcissist’s wants and demands. Partners, friends, family members, or co-workers often sacrifice their own happiness, time, energy, and success to cater to the narcissist while receiving very little in return. And, like any true parasite, once the narcissist feels that a person no longer serves their needs, they will discard them and seek a new host.
Their lack of empathy amplifies their parasitic tendencies. Narcissists cannot—or will not—acknowledge the pain, exhaustion, or harm they cause others. This allows them to take from others without remorse, often justifying their behavior with statements like “I deserve this” or “They owe me.” This lack of accountability or genuine remorse is why they always rationalize their actions.
Finally, just as parasites spread diseases or toxins to their host, narcissists do the same emotionally. They leave behind self-doubt, low self-esteem, fear, and anxiety. These are just a few of the negative impacts they pass on to their targets.
In conclusion, understanding the parasitic nature of a narcissist is crucial for healing from narcissistic abuse. It can be liberating to finally understand what you’ve been dealing with, and it can help safeguard you in the future by recognizing certain patterns and setting necessary boundaries. Remember, narcissists are parasites. They are emotionally unhealthy individuals who cannot draw strength from within, so they need constant validation. This makes their parasitic nature not just exploitative but compulsive. They cannot stop leeching off the people around them, which is why it’s always best to create distance between yourself and the narcissist.
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