**Narcissists have tantrums when things don’t go their way.** Their emotional maturity is often stunted, so when their fragile ego is challenged, they react with explosive rage, silent treatment, or vindictive behavior. Their “tantrums” may not always look like a child’s screaming fit, but the underlying emotional immaturity is the same. Here are the situations that trigger their meltdowns:

* **When you tell them "no."** Boundaries are seen as a direct act of war. They believe they are entitled to your time, energy, and resources. Denying them anything is perceived as a personal attack.

* **When they are in the presence of someone who has more—whether it’s money, status, attention, or talent.** Narcissists can’t tolerate being outshined. Instead of feeling inspired, they feel inferior and will often react with envy, backhanded compliments, or smear campaigns.

* **When they don’t get what they want.** Their sense of entitlement makes them believe the world owes them. Any obstacle to their desires sparks frustration and manipulative tactics to force their way.

* **When they lose control over their victims.** A narcissist’s worst nightmare is realizing their manipulation no longer works. When a victim gains clarity or sets boundaries, the narcissist panics and retaliates to regain control.

* **When someone tells them the truth.** They don’t want to hear about their toxic behaviors or flaws. Truth is like poison to their fabricated self-image, and they’ll attack you to avoid facing it.

* **When they lose narcissistic supply.** Attention, admiration, and validation fuel them. Without it, they spiral into anger, depression, or frantic attempts to find a new source.

* **When they are ignored.** Being ignored is intolerable. It deprives them of the control and attention they crave, which often leads to desperate, attention-seeking behaviors.

* **When someone doesn’t agree with them.** Disagreement is viewed as disrespect. They expect blind loyalty and compliance.

* **When they are rejected.** Narcissists take rejection personally, often responding with rage or plotting revenge.

* **When they are criticized.** They cannot accept feedback, no matter how small, without perceiving it as a massive insult.

* **When someone goes against them.** Any form of defiance is met with aggression.

* **When someone proves them wrong or exposes them.** Exposure threatens the false persona they’ve carefully crafted. This triggers their most aggressive, vindictive