Texting has become a common mode of communication in relationships, both personal and professional. While it offers convenience, texting also opens the door for potential miscommunications and opportunities for manipulation, especially when interacting with narcissistic personalities.

Narcissists tend to have peculiar texting habits that reveal their self-centeredness, need for control, and lack of empathy. By understanding these texting patterns, you can detect narcissistic behavior early on and respond in ways that protect your self-esteem and boundaries.

Excessive Texting in the Idealization Phase

When you first start dating or interacting with a narcissist, you may notice an initial flood of excessive text messages expressing flattery, praise, and visions of an amazing shared future. This is known as “love bombing,” a tactic narcissists use to hook targets.

For example, you may receive multiple texts per day conveying how fascinating, intelligent, and attractive the narcissist finds you. They may inundate you with loving words and promises of an incredible relationship or partnership ahead.

While excessive texting may seem like a sign of infatuation, keep in mind that narcissists idealize potential targets to secure them as sources of attention, affection, and validation, known as “narcissistic supply.” Once secured, they often withdraw these expressions.

Intermittent Reinforcement of Inconsistent Texts

Cycles of excessive texting followed by little or no contact are common in relationships with narcissists. After securing your attention with idealization, they focus it elsewhere, giving you just enough positive texts intermittently to keep you hooked.

For example, after weeks of ignoring your texts, a narcissistic partner may suddenly send a flattering message like “You’re so beautiful” or “I miss you,” offering just enough validation to keep you emotionally invested. Then they disappear again.

This push/pull intermittent reinforcement creates an addictive trauma bond. Recognize that you deserve consistent mutual engagement, not breadcrumbs when convenient for a narcissist.

Love Bombing Hoovers When Losing Control

When a narcissist senses they are losing influence over you, they may flood you with excessive loving texts to suck you back into the relationship and regain control. This is known as a “hoover” maneuver.

For instance, if you begin pulling away or creating distance from a narcissistic partner, they may bombard you with a sudden influx of texts proclaiming their undying love and devotion. But it’s often a manipulation tactic rather than heartfelt sentiment.

Be wary of excessive texting out of the blue if you’ve been pulling away from a narcissist. It’s typically an attempt to reassert control, not rekindle love.

Baiting and Provoking Reactions

Narcissists frequently send provocative texts deliberately designed to get a reaction out of you. Their goal is to destabilize your emotions or elicit drama that provides them with narcissistic supply.

For example, your narcissistic partner may text implying they are dating someone new and better looking than you. Or a narcissistic friend may text damaging gossip about you to provoke upset. They want to hook you emotionally.

Avoid taking the narcissist’s bait. React neutrally and re-focus the conversation elsewhere. Deprive them of the drama and reactions they crave.

Projecting and Blaming

Narcissists often project their own negative qualities onto others via text. You may notice texts blaming and shaming you for things the narcissist is actually doing themselves.

For instance, a narcissistic partner who is being unfaithful may attempt to project this onto you with texts accusing you of cheating and being untrustworthy. Or they criticize you via text for the very flaws and insecure behaviors they struggle with themselves.

Recognize these projected texts as reflections of the narcissist’s issues, not truths about you. You know your own worth.

Impulsive Angry Text Tirades

When narcissists feel threatened or fear losing control over a target, they may launch into impulsive text tirades designed to destabilize and regain power.

For example, if you challenge a narcissist’s behavior or stand up for yourself, they may bombard you with lengthy texts filled with name-calling, threats, gaslighting, and efforts to destroy your reputation or self-esteem. Their aim is to bully you back into compliance.

Avoid reacting strongly or arguing back point by point. Instead, reaffirm your boundaries and disengage. Their screaming texts reveal their loss of control over you.

What Drives Their Abnormal Texting Habits

Understanding what motivates narcissists’ unhealthy texting patterns can help targets recognize the manipulation rather than taking texts personally. Common drivers include:

• Seeking validation and attention (narcissistic supply)
• Reasserting power and control
• Provoking strong reactions and emotional drama
• Projecting their own shame, flaws, and insecurities
• Punishing targets who don’t provide expected adoration
• Restoring threatened self-image when held accountable

When you understand these root causes, you can recognize the narcissist’s abnormal texts for what they are – ploys serving their dysfunction, not truths about you.

Healthy Ways to Respond and Set Boundaries

When you find yourself on the receiving end of unhealthy narcissistic texts, here are some tips for responding skillfully and setting boundaries:

• Avoid reacting strongly or impulsively. Pause, breathe, and regain emotional balance.
• Rephrase or reflect back what they texted objectively without judgment.
• Acknowledge their feelings/perspectives without agreeing with distortions.
• Reframe accusations or attacks as projections gently.
• Reaffirm your self-worth and boundaries clearly.
• Disengage from tirades artfully by saying “let’s take space and revisit this calmer soon.”
• Document abusive/unstable texts in case you need evidence later.

With practice, you can respond to even the most manipulative narcissistic texts in ways that disempower their games while empowering yourself.

Detaching from Narcissistic Texting Patterns

Trying to maintain a relationship with a narcissist who exploits text communication can become emotionally exhausting and damaging over time. Here are some tips on detaching from their unhealthy texting patterns:

• Limit texting. Keep text interactions brief and solution-focused. Avoid excessive back-and-forths.
• Establish texting boundaries. Set limits on when or how often you will respond to texts from the narcissist.
• Avoid texting triggers. Identify topics/phrases that provoke drama or circular debates and refrain from texting about them.
• Cancel text notifications. Consider muting text notifications from the narcissist so you can check in on your own terms.
• Text less over time. Gradually reduce texting frequency and keep communications

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What are some common narcissist text habits?

Some common narcissist text habits include:

• Love bombing – Excessive flattery and praise early on to secure attention and attachment.
• Intermittent reinforcement – Inconsistent contact, alternating excessive texts with ghosting.
• Hoovering – Sudden influx of flattering messages to regain control if target pulls away.
• Baiting/provoking – Sending provocative texts to get reactions and emotional supply.
• Projecting – Blaming the target for narcissist’s own flaws or behaviors.
• Impulsive anger – Lengthy abusive text tirades if narcissist feels threatened.
• Entitlement – Demanding and entitled requests via text.
• Triangulation – Texting about other romantic prospects to provoke jealousy.

Narcissists use these unhealthy texting patterns to manipulate targets, gain narcissistic supply, and reassert dominance and control if it is threatened. Recognizing these habits helps reveal the narcissist’s true motives.

How can I identify narcissistic behavior in texts?

There are several red flags that can help identify narcissistic behavior in texts:

• Excessive flattery and praise early on in the relationship.
• Extreme idealization followed by devaluation.
• Focus is heavily on them, not mutual.
• Frequent fishing for compliments and validation.
• Undermining your confidence or boundaries.
• Guilt tripping or pressuring you.
• Mixed signals and push/pull contact.
• Belittling, shaming, or emotionally abusive language.
• Lack of empathy, defensiveness, never owns flaws.
• Assumes privileged status and demonstrates entitlement.

Pay close attention to patterns over time as well as inconsistencies between their texts versus real-life treatment of you. Trust your gut instinct if a texter seems manipulative or hurtful.

What are some strategies for decoding narcissistic texts?

Here are some strategies for decoding potentially manipulative texts from narcissists:

• Notice discrepancies between their texts and actual behavior.
• Identify patterns such as intermittent reinforcement or idealization followed by devaluation.
• Pay attention to subtle put-downs or guilt trips.
• Be aware of projection and falsely accusing you of behaviors that are true of them.
• Look out for exaggerated flattery or promises early on as potential love bombing.
• Consider whether the focus is heavily on them and their needs vs. mutual.
• Assess if they have double standards, feeling entitled to things from you that they won’t reciprocate.

Keep a journal to track texts over time. Discuss any concerns with a trusted friend. And listen to your gut instinct – if a texter seems manipulative, they likely are.

How should I respond to narcissistic texts?

Here are some tips for responding effectively to manipulative texts from narcissists without getting hooked:

• Avoid reacting emotionally or impulsively. Stay calm and composed.
• Use empathy judiciously to de-escalate tensions, but set limits.
• Refocus the conversation to solution-oriented dialogue vs. circular debates.
• Reply to the facts and issues, not character attacks.
• Set clear boundaries and restate them neutrally if needed.
• Know it’s okay not to respond immediately, or at all, if you need space or to disengage.
• Discuss healthier communication strategies with them when things are stable.

The goal is to model balanced, composed communication while reinforcing your boundaries and limits. This can help de-escalate narcissistic texting tactics over time.

How can I get a narcissist to text me back?

Some strategies to get a narcissist to text you back include:

• Appeal to their ego and send compliments.
• Mirror their texting frequency and availability at first.
• Respond promptly to their texts to give them narcissistic supply.
• Send interesting photos, updates, or provocative texts to get attention.
• Let them know you’re thinking of them with a “missing you” or thoughtful text.
• Compliment their appearance if appropriate – many narcissists are vain.
• Act happy, share exciting news, and avoid seeming boring.

However, chasing a narcissist’s attention through these means can reinforce their manipulative behavior. It’s healthier to nurture relationships with caring people who text reciprocally.

What happens when you ignore a narcissist’s text?

When ignored, a narcissist usually experiences a threat to their ego and sense of control. Common narcissistic responses include:

• Bombarding you with multiple texts or calls.
• Lashing out via abusive, angry texts.
• Threats to make you jealous by mentioning other romantic options.
• Playing victim and guilt tripping you for ignoring them.
• Spreading rumors about you or smearing you to shared contacts.
• Hoovering by suddenly texting sweet messages to hook you again.
• Raging at you for disrespecting them by not responding.

While uncomfortable, ignoring their reactions helps reinforce boundaries. You teach people how to treat you – demand respectful engagement by disengaging from narcissists’ poor behavior.

What makes texting with a narcissist challenging?

Texting with a narcissist can be challenging for several reasons:

• They dominate the conversation and make it all about them.
• Their responses can be incredibly self-centered and lacking in empathy.
• They ignore your requests or boundaries and continue pressuring behaviors.
• They expect instant responses to their texts but may take hours or days to reply to you.
• They bombard you with frequent, lengthy emotional text tirades.
• They gaslight you and distort the facts in text conversations.
• They project their own issues onto you via text.
• They use manipulative push/pull texting patterns to keep you off balance.

Maintaining strong boundaries around texting, such as taking space from exhausting conversations or not responding to abusive language, can help preserve your mental health.

What are some weird narcissistic texting habits?

Some strange and manipulative narcissistic texting habits include:

• “Accidental” late night texts saying they miss you or can’t sleep, designed to pulling you back into engaging.
• Excessive use of emojis even when discussing serious issues.
• Rapid-fire text bombardments demanding urgent responses.
• Mysterious or exaggerated statements fishing for your reaction, like “You’ll never believe what happened!”
• Out-of-the-blue hoovering texts pretending nothing happened after no contact.
• Monitoring your “read” status and getting upset if you don’t respond instantly.
• Text tirades alternating vicious criticism with faux caretaking.
• Group texting you and new supply to make you jealous.

These odd texting habits are designed to provoke reactions in you. Deprive narcissists of the drama and supply they crave by not overreacting.

Why do narcissists ignore your texts?

Narcissists commonly ignore texts for the following reasons:

• To manipulate you through intermittent reinforcement and push/pull.
• They feel entitled to your attention but don’t reciprocate.
• To punish you for perceived slights/threats to their ego.
• Your needs don’t revolve around servicing theirs in the moment.
• They are bored and seeking provocation/drama.
• To deliberately incite insecurity and anxiety about where you stand.
• You confronted their behavior and holding them accountable threatens their false image.
• They devalue and discard you as soon as you cease providing sufficient narcissistic supply.

Their reasons reveal their own dysfunction. Don’t personalize their poor communication. Focus on people who demonstrate mutual care and consistency.

What should I do when a narcissist won’t stop texting?

Ways to set boundaries when a narcissist won’t stop texting you include:

• Ask them directly yet politely to text you less frequently.
• Ignore their texts if they continue excessive contact after you’ve set this limit.
• Block their number temporarily if they are bombarding you.
• Be vague or boring in your responses to discourage engagement.
• Tell them you will check texts only at certain times of day.
• Set your phone to “do not disturb” and check texts on your own schedule.
• Give concise responses, don’t ask counter-questions.
• Tell them you are turning notifications off due to being busy if needed.

Enforcing strong boundaries is essential. If they don’t respect reasonable limits, reconsider the relationship dynamics.

Do narcissists text you every day?

How frequently a narcissist texts depends on the status of the relationship:

• Idealization phase – Texts are very frequent, even constant. Goal is securing your attention.
• Devaluation phase – Texts become less attentive. More intermittent engagement or ghosting.
• Discard phase – Very sporadic contact or disappearing act for long stretches.
• Hoovering – Sudden resume of constant texts to re-hook you as supply if you pulled away.

If the narcissist has secured your consistent attention, their texts may become sparse, intermittent, and on their terms. They text daily while it suits their needs, not yours.

What are some weird narcissist text habits?

Some bizarre and manipulative narcissistic texting habits include:

• Love bombing with excessive flattery, praise, and promises early on.
• Push/pull intermittent reinforcement and unpredictability.
• Exaggerated levels of emojis, even when discussing serious issues.
• Out-of-the-blue hoovering after periods of no contact.
• Mysterious statements fishing for reactions, like “You’ll never guess what happened!”
• Frequent sexting demands and inappropriate sexual content.
• Impulsive verbal attacks and lengthy text tirades.
• Group chats intended to make you jealous.

Recognizing these unhealthy texting patterns helps reveal the narcissist’s manipulation and lack of sincerity. Their texts convey dysfunction, not intimacy.

Do narcissists think about you when not texting?

It’s unlikely narcissists think about you much when not in contact, except in these ways:

• Wondering if you are still available as a source of narcissistic supply.
• Fantasizing about getting you back under their control and influence if you pulled away.
• Briefly obsessing if you wounded their ego or image in some way.
• Craving renewed attention and validation if bored, in need of an ego boost.
• Contemplating ways to get a reaction from you if too quiet or predictable.
• Circling back if they need resources, contacts, or inside information you provided.

Narcissists think of you not out of love, care or concern, but out of self-interest regarding what you provide them. Don’t over-interpret their sporadic texts.

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I’m texting with a narcissist?

Signs include: excessive flattery, emotional rollercoasters, lack of empathy, manipulative push/pull contact, conversations always about them, guilting, boundary crossing, abusive language. Trust your instincts.

Why do narcissists bombard you with texts then disappear?

This intermittent reinforcement dynamic keeps you addicted to their validation. The highs of excessive contact followed by lows of neglect destabilize you and strengthen their control.

Is it normal for a narcissist to text you everyday?

In early idealization stages yes, but frequency drops later on. They text daily early on to secure your attachment, then sporadically to keep you guessing.

How should you handle a narcissist’s inappropriate texts?

Firmly tell them to stop, restate your boundaries, then disengage. You teach people how to treat you – demand respect or distance yourself from toxicity.

Can you make a narcissist obsessed with you through text?

It’s unwise to try intentionally hooking a disordered person. Better to seek healthy connections with emotionally stable, caring partners.

Is ignoring a narcissist’s text the best response?

Selectively, yes. Ignoring their provocations deprives narcissists of supply. But brief, boundaries-focused responses can be disarming too.

What’s the narcissist’s goal in sending disturbing texts?

They aim to provoke emotional reactions in you as “narcissistic supply.” Depriving them of the drama they crave helps reveal their manipulation.

The post Examples Of Text Messages From A Narcissist 💬 Expert Tips to Respond appeared first on ThyselfTherapy.com - Know more about Thyself.

Weird Narcissist Text Habits Decoding – How to Respond

Narcissist Text Messages Examples

Have you ever gotten a jaw-dropping, manipulative text from a narcissist? Texting is a playground where narcissists control you from afar. Let’s expose the various toxic texting tactics narcissists commonly use so you can stop falling for their tricks.

Love Bombing: Lavishing You With Excessive Compliments

In the beginning, narcissists bombard you with over-the-top flattery and praise via text. They text excessively, ignoring normal boundaries. Your needs don’t matter—only their need to dominate you.

For example, Sara described her narcissistic new boyfriend texting “You’re so beautiful” endlessly when they first started dating. Mike shared how his narcissistic business partner texted him repeatedly about the “huge success” they would build together, stroking Mike’s ego about how brilliant he was.

This constant text bombardment conditions you like a lab animal trained with random rewards. Their intermittent reinforcement keeps you anxiously awaiting their next “treat,” repeatedly checking your phone. This chemically alters your brain, making you addicted to their validation.

Ignoring You While Texting Others: The Disappearing Act

Once they’ve hooked you, narcissists pull a vanishing act. They mysteriously ignore your texts while actively texting other “supply” sources and romantic prospects.

For instance, Lisa described her narcissistic boyfriend blatantly texting other girls late at night right in front of her, then calling Lisa “paranoid” for daring to question him. Jeff shared how his narcissistic business partner went from daily enthusiastic check-ins to completely ignoring Jeff’s texts for days, offering suspicious excuses.

This extreme push/pull destabilization makes you work harder for their conditional attention and validation, now withdrawn. Like a cat playing with a helpless mouse, they enjoy your desperation and the power trip of controlling you.

Exploitative Early Sexting: Crossing Boundaries

Many narcissists demand nudes and engage in inappropriate sexting very early on, before emotional intimacy forms. For example, Emma described her narcissistic new boyfriend sending her sexually explicit messages and inappropriate requests for naked photos right away, before they really got to know each other at all.

They shamelessly exploit you to serve their agenda of power and control. Later, they use those images against you, as “proof” to shame you as promiscuous or crazy.

Future Faking: False Promises of Your Fantasy Life Together

When you start pulling away, narcissists promise an ideal fantasy future together via text. For example, after months of her narcissistic boyfriend alternating between treating her well and devaluing her, Lily shared how he suddenly texted “We’re soulmates” and “Just imagine the perfect life we’ll have” out of the blue.

Like expert anglers luring fish with tantalizing bait, narcissists hook you back in with vivid visions of an incredible future life together—endless success, extravagant vacations, wedded bliss, healthy and happy children. You become trauma bonded and emotionally invested, chasing after the dream life they portray. But it’s merely an illusion, hastily constructed when they need to reel you back in.

Intermittent Reinforcement and Ghosting: Keeping You Guessing

After temporarily selling you the dream again, narcissists go right back to being cold, distant, and unavailable. For instance, Jeff described months of total silence from his narcissistic business partner after their last enthusiastic call, without any warning or explanation. Then one day he received a random “Hey Jeff, let’s grab coffee and catch up!” text out of the blue, after months of absolutely no contact.

Like meticulously training a loyal dog with random rewards and harsh punishments, their intermittent reinforcement is intentionally unpredictable, triggering your brain’s addiction mechanisms. You become compelled to compulsively chase after their breadcrumbs of affection or approval, no matter how insubstantial or unsatisfying.

“Sandwich” Texts: Manipulation Wrapped in Niceness

Narcissists also frequently send “sandwich” style texts—starting off nice, turning toxic, then ending with niceness again. For example, an ex might text: “Hi sweetie, I hope you’re doing great! I really need your help with the kids today…you’re so selfish for always ignoring me and not being willing to help out…But I still wish you all the best!”

These sandwich texts provoke emotional reactions in you and meet narcissists’ needs for power, control, drama, and supply. There is no good way to respond or engage—whether you reply kindly, set boundaries, ignore them, or react emotionally, they find ways to attack and manipulate you.

Texts Implying Friendship / Benefit To You

Narcissists also send texts implying they want to organically rekindle the friendship or relationship, supposedly for your benefit as well. For instance, an ex might text: “I know we had our troubles, but we had so many wonderful times too. We still need each other in each other’s lives…we’re so good together when things are good!”

This strokes your ego and falsely suggests the relationship was mutually beneficial and fulfilling, which is typically untrue. But it’s just a hook to see if you still provide adequate “narcissistic supply” for them to exploit.

Sympathy-Seeking Texts

Narcissists love sympathy and attention, so they often text about illnesses, hardships, or problems to elicit concern and compassion from you. For example: “I’m having the worst day. My car broke down, I failed an exam, and I have no one to talk to. I just need someone who cares right now.”

But if you respond lovingly to support them, they quickly lash out at you or disappear, revealing it was just a manipulation tactic. They opportunistically discarded you when you had very real issues, but demand your care and concern when they have a minor problem.

Passive-Aggressive Texts

Passive-aggressive texts are also very common from narcissists. For instance, if you don’t respond quickly enough to a narcissist’s text or call, they may text: “I guess you’re just too busy to chat…No worries, I’ll stop bothering you so you can focus on more important things.” Or “Are you really still mad about what happened yesterday? You’re so oversensitive.”

This kind of message guilt-trips, gaslights, and emotionally punishes you for having healthy boundaries or being upset at their mistreatment. It’s intended to make you feel guilty and chase after them, giving them the power.

Baiting and Provocative Texts

Narcissists also deliberately send provocative, shocking, or baiting texts in order to get a reaction from you. For example, your narcissistic partner may text: “My new girlfriend Jasmine is so amazing in bed…No one satisfies me like she does.” Or your narcissistic friend might text: “I can’t believe what Julie just told me about you…I can’t believe you would do something so messed up.”

If you react emotionally to texts like these, take the bait, and respond with hurt or defensiveness, the narcissist has achieved their goal of provoking you and upsetting you for their own entertainment. On the other hand, if you ignore the toxic bait, they’re enraged by your lack of reaction and intensify their efforts to get a response from you.

Intermittent Reinforcement Texts

Narcissists give just enough intermittent doses of positivity and affection via text to keep you hooked, without giving you the real emotional intimacy and nurturing you crave in relationship. For example, after weeks or months of ghosting, ignoring you, or treating you poorly, they may suddenly send a text like “Thinking of you today…” or “That picture you posted is so beautiful”, before disappearing again.

This random, inconsistent reinforcement is powerfully addictive to our brains. You’re conditioned to obsessively chase after the few breadcrumbs of affection or approval they toss your way, desperately awaiting the next crumb.

Hoovering: Reeling You Back In

After abruptly discarding you without warning, narcissists eventually circle back around to hoover you, often via text initially. For example, many months after discarding you, your narcissistic ex may text: “I saw your mom recently, she looks great!” or “Congrats on the promotion at work, you deserve it!”

This hoovering text is designed to determine if you still provide adequate narcissistic supply for them to exploit. If you politely reply or react positively, they believe they still have power and control over you, paving the way for further hoovering efforts.

In summary, narcissists’ unhealthy and manipulative texting patterns expose their core shame and emotional emptiness. By recognizing their toxic games, you can break free from their control and seek genuine relationships not based on exploitation. You deserve so much better!

Now I want to hear from you. What narcissistic texting patterns have you experienced? Please share your story in the comments so we can support each other in recognizing their unhealthy tactics. You have the power to take your life back!

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