Warning: Yes, a narcissist's mask can and does slip!
When you witness it, it can feel like the world is imploding right before your eyes.
If you wait to the end, you can read what to look out for when that happens but before that, we get serious.
There are four situations where a narcissist reveals their true face.
Each situation will happen at some point in their life, and sometimes that might be when you aren't around.
So let's dig deep, and really look at their vulnerable side. Trust me, it really does exist.
#1 When they know they're losing
Tempting to want to time and date the moment a narcissist knows they're losing, because it's so rare that the capturing of it really should wind up in a wellbeing museum of some kind.
Narcissists lose some of the time, but not every time is it big enough for them to want to really know it.
If a narcissist had one wish, and they knew it had to be a good one, they would wish for eternal control of every situation.
With that would bring them a whole host of great outcomes, and one of those outcomes would mean winning.
At anything. Driving off from traffic lights and pulling away the fastest.
Getting that promotion at work over all their other coworkers.
Earning themselves first place in a contest. There are so many scenarios, but the narcissist always wants that first prize.
When they don't get it?
You see a side to them you wish you could either record to prove to others, as well as log as an actual thing that happened, that they can't gaslight their way out of.
When a narcissist knows they're losing, it's about what they are losing.
A part of their reputation they've tried hard to build and maintain. Their image, which they have put a lot of time and pride into to ensure they appear perfect.
Control, which would be where they have no idea what comes next, all they know is they can't do a thing about it.
You'll see that true face, and it will come with a darkness attached to it that you'll never forget.
#2 When they're in the company of somebody they are struggling to impress
I want to impress you so badly. I will do what it takes. Notice me, please! Why aren't they picking up on all my impressive vibes?
Narcissists think a lot, and when they're in the company of people they're trying to impress, so many things rattle through their toxic minds.
For the most part, it's easy for them to impress other people, but at times, it's hard work, especially when they're up against those far more 'successful' than they are.
Suddenly, the narcissist will revert to being smaller, but not wanting to be.
They speak and try to charm, but it doesn't work. It's a real struggle at times to be able to get what they want from those they seek so much validation from, and that's when their true face tends to show up.
This might not necessarily look like anger or rage, but rather embarrassment; the reminder that they're not as popular or interesting as they really crave to be, and even convinced themselves that they are.
It's like somebody saying to them, "You aren't all that, so pipe down and know your place."
The discomfort is obvious, and you notice a person who is not the usual entitled brat they act every day.
Instead, the narcissist is meek and agreeable, because they think it will earn them points.
#3 When exhaustion hits
Tired creeps up on narcissists and causes these dysregulated people to act even more chaotic and unpredictable.
There is this forgotten moment where they just cannot remember what time or day it is through sheer exhaustion, and their true face will come out.
They can't hold onto everything all of the time, and so being tired is the perfect time to see who they really are behind their masks.
They care less, they drop a certain guard around them, and they don't care what you see.
Not being fired up on all cylinders all creates a problem for the narcissists.
They spend all their waking days lying and manipulating that they can't even remember what they lied about when they are so out of it.
Good news for you, as all the inconsistencies rise to the surface. Bad news for them, who struggle to hold it all together.
This is certainly a situation to watch closely.
#4 Right at the time they think they already won
Ah, yes. The great moment the narcissist believes it's all about to be handed to them on a plate.
Success is close, and so is the ignorant belief that they've won the war they started a long time ago.
Right as they're about to step into the light, it all comes crashing down.
In fact, they haven't won at all. There was a last minute curveball that means now, they lost big time.
When a narcissist thinks they're on track to get what they want, they are thinking how unstoppable they are. They already treat life like one big win after another, but this is a whole new level.
When it's all taken from them, the loss is extreme. What happened?
Where did it all start to crumble and fall apart? What can they do to stop it? The answer to that last question is almost always nothing.
There's nothing they can do, because these people aren't as in control as they'd love to be.
Their true face reveals a pit of despair, and sheer panic.
What comes next? There was never a Plan B to this because their entitled disposition led them to believe the win was already in the bag.
How wrong the narcissist was, and how evident that they cannot handle it when things don't go their way.
#5 The true face, what to look out for
As promised, I want to show you what a narcissist's true face looks like, so you know what to look out for.
First, there's panic. The unthinkable is happening, and you're feeling like you are starting to see somebody you've never seen before.
The narcissist's usual calm, confident demeanor disappears because they don't know what to do next.
You'll see a panic that may flash before their eyes, as they scramble to make sense of it and what steps to take next.
Then, you'll see the rage. This can come across as absolute disgust at the fact that they've lost control of a moment that means their mask then slips.
They highly resent the person responsible, because nothing, and I mean nothing will be the same afterward.
Punishment and revenge? That can happen, too.
A narcissist is always very keen to try to sabotage anything or anybody that causes their true face to be revealed, and that's where you might see some kind of smear campaign rear its ugly head.
Look out for the narcissist to fully transition from a pretend nice guy to don't mess with me.
