Narcissistic rage is the uncontrollable and unexpected anger that results from a
narcissistic injury. Narcissistic injury is a
threat to a narcissist’s
self-esteem or
worth. Rage comes in many forms, but all pertain to the same important thing,
revenge.
Narcissistic rages are based on fear and will endure even after the threat is gone.
[5] To the narcissist, the rage is directed towards the person that they feel has slighted them; to other people, the rage is incoherent and unjust.
This rage
impairs their cognition, therefore impairing their
judgment. During the rage they are prone to shouting, fact distortion and making groundless accusations. It is believed that narcissists have two layers of rage. The first layer of rage can be thought of as a constant anger (towards someone else), and the second layer being a self-aimed wrath. Two specific identified forms of narcissistic rage are explosive and passive-aggressive.
The explosive form being an obvious anger, for example, damaging property (or people) and being verbally abusive. The
passive-aggressive sort might be sulking or giving their target the silent treatment.
They can become enraged to the point of being homicidal especially if he/she has the need to seek revenge.
[6]
Narcissistic rage is usually short-term, but can provoke problems with those towards whom the anger is targeted.
