Can the end of a long friendship or relationship in which the narcissist was not the controlling figure trigger the narcissism to come to the surface?

Answer 1

This is my opinion only, but the word "narcissist" is a bandaide for all the hurting, egotism, selfishness, bone-cutting, stomach-wrenching behavior from one self inflicted spoiled brat! I don't even like the word, because it's so misused and I believe we have to look at each situation and face the fact there are just some selfish, mean and rotten people out in the world. We have the control to take a wide berth around these people or if we are conned into a friendship or an affair without realizing their true nature, then we have the control to leave that relationship. If you have ended a friendship the person could be simply angry, hurt and really may not see that they have been the cause of the split-up. However, be honest with yourself and find out if you weren't partially to blame. Lack of communication and having no backbone to speak up when a friend or lover hurts your feelings is the cause of most split-ups. Generally, when we end some relationships it all simply came down to not "nipping bad behavior in the bud" or "lack of communication." Yes it can. They feel the need to control so when the controlling person is gone, they take control in the next relationship because they can.