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What is Narcissistic Supply?

We know that narcissists require admiration, and if they don’t get it, they may react with rage, ridicule, mockery, or by humiliating their target. Narcissists are arrogant and proud and view others as insignificant or as competitors to conquer. They feel entitled and expect special treatment.​

The term “narcissistic supply” defines the admiration that narcissists need to keep their self-esteem intact, and this concept was first introduced to the field of psychoanalytic theory by Otto Fenichel in 1938.  Narcissists need to take this supply of approval from the people in their environment so that their false faces can survive.

Methods for obtaining supply

Overt narcissists (arrogant, loud, insensitive to the needs of others, lack empathy, always looking for compliments) attract attention to themselves directly by over-dressing, dressing provocatively, talking too loudly, wearing attention-getting makeup, hairstyles or accessories, or driving conspicuous vehicles. They seem to be shouting LOOK AT ME!

Covert narcissists crave admiration and importance and lack empathy but are less “obvious.” They are harder to spot as a narcissist. They get their supply mainly from being rescued or emotionally care-taken, especially by their children. Taking care of a covert narcissist’s needs will be number one on their priority list. If you question them, they’ll assume you’re challenging them and will become defensive, maybe violent. Narcissists don’t respect your boundaries or your privacy. For example, a narcissistic mother would be totally at ease going into her children’s personal space, looking in purses, reading journals, listening to phone conversations, reading private mail and documents, and sharing their personal and private information with others. (Because of this, they’d feel a sense of shame in multiple areas but won’t realize that these behaviors are its source.)

A narcissist likes knowing we are hurt when they use the “silent treatment” to actively ignore us. this is a form of power and control. Our pain demonstrates that they are so powerful that they can devastate us whenever they choose. Our pain is their narcissistic supply.

Remember, narcissists don’t view people as unique individuals with their own needs, feelings, goals, or lives. To narcissists, people are simply props who play a supporting role in their lives. A narcissist’s only concern is what they can get from others or what others can do for them. They have difficulty emotionally bonding with others because their relationships are all about power, control, and the benefits that they can obtain.

A narcissist cannot survive as a narcissist without obtaining narcissistic supply. It’s an emotional food source; any form of attention, affirmation, approval, or admiration will suffice. They feel a sense of power and importance from any emotional reaction. Any emotion—fear, sadness, anger, shame, whatever—will do, because it feeds the “false self,” everything the narcissist would like to be, but is not. Narcissistic supply makes the false self stronger.

Why do they need supply?

Securing narcissistic supply keeps a narcissist’s false self working in an automatic cycle: project the false self, receive the supply, empower and strengthen the false self, and repeat.

The cycle repeats itself because it provides feelings of power, control, and importance. Narcissists thrive on these, feeling formidable, even omnipotent, after obtaining supply. It leads to a “narcissistic high,” which potentially makes them more dangerous; you won’t be permitted to share your thoughts or feelings when your narcissist is on a high. They won’t take any challenge lightly and will go for the win at any cost to prove their supremacy. They’re not interested in what you have to say or how you feel. It’s all about them.

After going through this cycle with a narcissist a few times, we get it. We understand that they’re more powerful than we are—that it’s always about “winning,” and they’ll be delighted to win at our expense. In their mind, they’re always right, and there’s no use trying to have a conversation or share an opinion because they’ll become combative. Eventually, we’ll end up feeling defeated, unloved, and insignificant. We’ll learn to walk on eggshells and to appease, please, and pacify. We’ll anticipate their needs and moods and act accordingly. Do you remember what that’s called? Yep! Codependency. We become codependent.

A narcissist is often revealed during a time of crisis, conflict, or high stress. When they’re pressured, and it’s hard for them to control their emotions, their lack of empathy is exposed. When they feel threatened, they go for the “win”, even if it threatens important relationships. What’s said or done won’t matter. Winning matters. High-pressure situations show how shallow their emotional connections are. Our shame, humiliation, and embarrassment are their narcissistic supply.

How to deny the supply

A tool that I use when it comes to denying a narcissist their supply is to respond calmly or not at all. I do that along with using positive detachment.​

“Not responding”(aka “shutting up,” or “not taking the bait”) works because it removes the possibility of giving emotional feedback and responses. Emotionally responding is a form of “narcissistic supply.” Giving a narcissist any amount of emotional response validates and affirms their perspectives and behavior. They thrive on any and all interaction and attention, especially when you become emotionally unhinged during the interaction. Narcissistic supply makes a narcissist a stronger narcissist.

If my mother (or anyone) pushes my buttons in an attempt to trigger an emotional response from me, I do not take the bait, I do not pick up the proffered tug-of-war rope, and my mouth remains shut. I deny them their narcissistic supply. I do this consistently and repeatedly because it indicates that I’m OK with whatever they think or do and that I will not react. The reaction is what they’re looking for, hoping for, and waiting for. The reaction is their narcissistic supply.

Not engaging, not defending, and not arguing back, requires mindfulness and practice, and it’s worth the time and effort to learn how to do this. Knowing how to control your responses, also known as “regulating your emotions,” is also part of the process of learning how to “positively detach” and also to maintain your boundaries.

As you may know, having a conversation with a narcissist feels like a struggle, a game of emotional tug-of-war. When you drop your end of the rope, the game stops. It can’t continue unless you pick up your end and start pulling again. So, no more games! You don’t have to explain that you’re no longer playing or why. Your actions speak loud and clear: when you drop the rope, you’re demonstrating that they have no more control over you. Dropping the rope is an aspect of not responding, positive detachment, enforcing a boundary, and demonstrating self-empowerment and self-love. If you haven’t tried it, I can tell you from experience that it’s very empowering.

Detaching with love and not giving emotional supply to a narcissist means that I listen and don’t rush in to fix problems or rescue them from the consequences of their choices. If we disagree, I don’t argue or try to change their position; I state my opinion, and I accept that they are entitled to have their own opinion. We don’t have to agree. I don’t steal their personal power, and I leave them the dignity to deal with their own problems and consequences. If they instigate, I don’t pick up the tug-of-war rope; instead, I might end our conversation. All of these are forms of boundaries that I maintain. I emotionally disconnect when they’re baiting or instigating to try to get me to react.

Be a rock… a gray rock

“Gray Rock” is a term coined in 2012 by Skylar, a blogger who wrote the article “The Gray Rock Method of Dealing with Psychopaths” (2018).

 If you’ve never tried the “Gray Rock” method, you’re missing out on a really effective tool.

Gray Rock is a technique that causes emotionally unbalanced people to lose interest in you. The method completely removes any emotional charge or drama from your interaction with them. When you use Gray Rock, it removes all narcissistic supply.

To use the Gray Rock method:

• Appear calm, even if you’re not.
• Maintain eye contact. Do not look down or away.
• Use the following responses when applicable:
  • I’m sorry you feel that way.
  • I welcome your opinion, but I feel good about my choice.
  • I have no right to try to control how you see me.
  • I accept how you see me.
  • I accept how you feel.
  • You’re entitled to your reality.
  • Your anger is not my responsibility.
  • It’s possible. I guess it could be true.
  • I’d like to continue this discussion, but it seems that we don’t share the same perspective. Maybe when you’re calm, we can resume this conversation in a mutually respectful way. (This is an example of enforcing a boundary as well.)

In a nutshell

These three approaches focus on letting the narcissist run their own life and solve their own problems while you take care of yours, your life, and yourself. Learn to let go of the desire to control the narcissist and the outcomes of your interactions with them. Focus on the next best thing for you.

Start taking these steps today to deny your narcissist their emotional food. When they realize that you are no longer a satisfying source of supply, they’ll look for it elsewhere.

Try these tools as soon as possible:  

1. positive detachment
2. not responding, not engaging, not picking up your end of the tug-of-war rope
3. the Gray Rock technique

You’ll begin to experience a new type of freedom that’s hard to describe!

Could you be feeling the effects of Narcissism Awareness Grief? Download the free chapter to find out:

from Lemon Moms: A Guide to Understand and Survive Maternal Narcissism

More tools

Conscious awareness:  Be aware and make conscious choices before acting. Self-awareness releases us from making impulsive and potentially damaging decisions. Practice mindfulness.

Learn about setting boundaries 

Learn about dysfunctional family roles

Understand Trauma Bonds

Learn about codependency and maladaptive coping skills

Understand the Narcissistic Abuse Cycle

Learn about expectations

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As a result of growing up in a dysfunctional home, and with the help of professional therapists and continued personal growth, Diane Metcalf developed strong coping and healing strategies. She happily shares those with those who want to learn and grow in their own recovery journies. 

Diane is an experienced advocate, speaker, and writer on narcissism, family dysfunction, and abuse. She draws from her personal childhood experiences, as well as her work in human service fields like domestic violence and partner abuse. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Information Technology.

Her transformational books about healing and moving forward include the highly praised “Lemon Moms” series. This emotionally supportive collection explains narcissistic traits and teaches how to reconcile past hurts to begin self-nurturing, healing, and moving forward.

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