Why Does a Narcissist appear Caring During a Crisis?

The second reason is self-preservation. Narcissists care more about their well-being and reputation than anything else, and a crisis can threaten both. When a crisis hits, there is a risk that the narcissist’s image and reputation may be negatively impacted, which is their ultimate fear. In such situations, the narcissist resorts to appearing helpful and caring in an attempt to protect their carefully constructed false image and themselves from negative consequences.

By appearing helpful and caring during a crisis, the narcissist attempts to present themselves in a positive light, whitewashing and justifying everything they have done in the past. They see this as an opportunity to create a positive image of themselves in your and others’ minds, which enables them to induce what I call a narcissistic fog and silence you through cognitive dissonance. This can be especially important if the crisis involves other people, such as a natural disaster or a public scandal where the narcissist’s reputation may be at risk.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode, quite selfishly, a narcissist is only concerned about their own well-being during a crisis. Their physical or financial security can be at risk. By appearing helpful and caring, they create a sense of goodwill with others, ensuring that others are more likely to assist them in return if they need help. Everything is transactional, and nothing they do is selfless.

Another factor that can motivate a narcissist to appear caring is the desire to avoid negative consequences. For example, if the crisis involves a workplace or legal issue, the narcissist may be worried about losing their job or facing legal repercussions. They know that by strategically appearing concerned, they can fool those involved in the crisis with their false demeanor. This enables them to mitigate any risk and keep everyone in their pocket.

In conclusion, they do not appear caring because they genuinely care for you. If they did, they wouldn’t have to pretend. They appear caring because others are watching, and they need to feel important.

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