Threats - Dan Cassenti, Novelist

Concept: When manipulations, such as gaslighting or framing, fail to result in compliance, narcissists may turn to threats, statements of coming adverse consequences for failure to comply with their demands. As threats lead to the dissolution of the pretenses of a healthy relationship or the narcissist’s goodwill, threats are more likely to be a last resort rather than a go-to technique.

How this leads to greater control over a victim: A threat must contain some direct or implied adverse consequence. A threatened person often considers compliance rather than incurring the consequence.

Examples:

“If you don’t sign this divorce agreement, I’ll fight you in court and rack up bills you can’t pay.”
“You better have those dishes done before I get back, or you’re grounded for a week.”
“I’ll release that information unless you pay me every month. You definitely don’t want this getting out. It could destroy your family.”

Advice: See if you can prevent or weather the consequences rather than giving into the demands of a threat. Once a narcissist knows that you will capitulate to demands, they’ll use threats more often in the future.

Narcissism Encyclopedia

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