DEFINITIONS OF CLUSTER B PERSONALITY DISORDERS

Cognitive dissonance occurs when we hold two or more contradictory beliefs or values at the same time. Sometimes people hold strong beliefs and when they are presented with evidence which opposes those beliefs, they find it impossible to accept evidence to the contrary. 

Flying monkeys are people who have been convinced by the narcissist that he or she is the real victim. They inflict further harm on the real victim by submitting to the narcissist’s wishes and demands. They may threaten, torment, discredit, or add fuel to a smear campaign by spreading lies and gossip.

Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic where a mentally healthy individual is subjected to conditioning behavior so that they doubt their own sanity. The target starts to believe that their perception of reality is false. The narcissist may simply deny saying something didn’t happen when it did, tell you that you heard wrong or lie about an event or situation. 

Grey rock is a term used to describe your behavior when trying to cut contact with a narcissist. The aim is to be utterly boring so that the narcissist no longer sees you as a good supply and subsequently disappears.

Hoovering describes how a narcissist attempts to suck their victims back into a relationship. They will use every trick in the book to get you back under their power and control. Hoovering often takes place after you have left them or after a period of silent treatment. They often promise to change their behavior or say that they have already changed dramatically.

Love bombing is a term used to describe the typical initial stages of a relationship with a narcissistic personality where the narcissist goes all out to impress their target with flattery, holidays, promises of a future together having the target believe that they have met their perfect partner, their soulmate.

Mirroring is when a narcissist reflects the image of what they observe in you from your mannerisms to your dress sense, your behavior, and your likes and dislikes. They become just like you.

Narcissistic supply consists of attention, admiration, respect, adulation, and even fear. Without these vital nutrients of life, the narcissist will become dysfunctional. A narcissist is lost without narcissistic supply. They need supply like a plant needs water. 

No contact is put in place by a victim to give them time to recover. It is not in any way similar to the narcissist’s silent treatment. A narcissist who initiates the silent treatment is doing so as a punishment and to exert power and control.

Projection is when a narcissist projects their own character flaws and immoral behaviors onto others. They will not hold themselves accountable for any wrongdoing and will blame others for the very things that they do themselves. The main objective is to make themselves feel superior.

Trauma bonding is a misplaced loyalty where a victim is emotionally bonded with their abuser and finds themselves unable to leave an unhealthy or dangerous relationship. The victim remains loyal to someone who has betrayed them time and time again.

Triangulation is when a Narcissist provokes a rivalry and creates jealousy between people, creating triangles of chaos to boost their own ego or promote a confrontation.