Narcissism as a Defense Mechanism

The Defense Mechanism of Narcissism is one of a false personality in order to protect from facing one’s inner shame, guilt, feelings of worthlessness that reside in the victims true self. The many abuse tactics are designed to manipulate victims to be a source of supply to soothe their inner shame by having power over and controlling victims. The heavily defended narcissistic abuser is using their victims to feel powerful and thus avoid any accountability for their actions. By making others feel less then the narcissist is, for the short term and until these feelings come back, able to defend against their inner shame and guilt.