Narcissists and Their Helping Behaviors: An Insight into the Purpose Behind Their Actions

Narcissists often give the appearance of helping others, but beneath the surface, their intentions and actions are rooted in a transactional mindset. This article explores the nature of their so-called helping behaviors and digs deeper into the reasons behind their actions.

Understanding the Narcissist's Helping Behavior

Yes, a narcissist may appear to help others, but essentially, their help is given with a motive to obtain something in return. This help is not driven by a genuine desire to assist, but rather by the expectation of gaining recognition, admiration, or another form of benefit. The actions of a narcissist are often accompanied by 'invisible strings,' ensuring that the help they provide is for their own benefit and not for the sake of others.

For example, if a narcissist takes you out to dinner, they may genuinely expect you to engage with them sexually afterward. If you do not comply, they may genuinely feel 'jipped' or robbed. This expectation is not typically explicitly stated by the narcissist. Rather, they are strategically positioning themselves to make you feel obligated to return their favor.

The Transactional Nature of Their Helping

While some narcissists may pretend to be helpful for 'show' to gain adulation from their community, their true intentions lie in self-gain. They do not have the same emotional connection to helping people that non-narcissists do. Whereas non-narcissistic individuals feel empathy for others, narcissists do not. They only help if it reflects well on them and for no other reason.

The Rigidly Transactional Mindset

Narcissists are delusionally entitled and often do not realize that a rigidly transactional mindset is unhealthy. They may not even feel that they should have to do anything to get anything. However, they understand that not everything will fall into their laps. Therefore, they often do for you and expect something in return.

"Remember that time when I forced help on you so I could then get something out of you? Yes, I know you forced it, but I want something now and it’s 1 what I forced on you."

No Genuine Helping Without an Exchange

It is rare for a narcissist to give without expecting some form of reciprocation, even if the exchange is not overtly stated. Their helping behavior is often a strategic move aimed at gaining self-benefit. For example, they may bring up things they have done for you to get you to do something for them. Furthermore, their 'help' is often not in line with what they expected in the first place. Because let's not forget that narcissists are delusionally entitled and may not even feel that they should have to do anything to get something!

Now, they do for you and expect to get whatever they want in return.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while a narcissist might appear to help others, the root of their actions is always driven by a transactional mindset. Their intentions are not driven by genuine empathy or a desire to assist, but by self-gain and their need to be perceived as admired or entitled. Understanding this can help in navigating interactions with narcissists and recognizing their manipulative behavior.