18 terms. Clinical definitions written for field use — precise enough to be accurate, clear enough to be actionable. Navigate term by term or jump to any entry.
A subtype of narcissistic personality disorder characterized by hidden grandiosity, victimhood, and indirect manipulation.
The classic, visible form of narcissistic personality disorder — obvious grandiosity, entitlement, and rage responses to criticism.
Disproportionate attention and intensity in early relationships, designed to accelerate emotional investment before judgment can engage.
Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender — the accountability evasion sequence used when confronted with harmful behavior.
The opening phase in which the narcissist reflects back the target's own values and desires to create the illusion of perfect compatibility.
The deliberate manipulation of another person's perception of reality — making them doubt their own memory and judgment.
The attention, admiration, and emotional reactions — including negative ones — that narcissists require to maintain their sense of self.
Unpredictable reward delivery that produces stronger and more persistent behavior — the psychological mechanism behind relationship addiction.
A strong emotional attachment that develops toward someone causing harm, produced by intermittent reinforcement cycles of threat and relief.
A cluster of three overlapping traits — narcissism, Machiavellianism, and subclinical psychopathy — that together produce manipulative behavior.
Strategic manipulation, a cynical view of human nature, and willingness to deceive others to achieve personal goals.
The tactic used to re-establish contact with a former supply source after distance or after the target has attempted to leave.
The final phase of the narcissistic relationship cycle, when the target's supply value has dropped and the narcissist withdraws.
Third parties recruited by the narcissist to carry out their agenda, often without being aware they are being used.
The introduction of a third party — real or implied — to create jealousy, insecurity, or competition in the target.
A diagnostic behavioral test: raise a small, specific concern calmly and observe whether the person can engage with it directly.
A structured three-date observation framework designed to surface behavioral patterns before emotional investment obscures them.
A formal psychiatric diagnosis: pervasive grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy as defined in the DSM-5.