Flying Monkeys and other Narcissistic Triangulation Tactics.

Triangulation is a manipulative tactic often used by individuals with narcissistic personality disorder in order to maintain control and power within a relationship. It involves bringing a third person into the dynamic of a relationship to destabilize the connection between the original two people. This can take many forms, but the end goal is always to make one person in the relationship feel insecure, jealous, and/or dependent on the narcissist.

Photo by Jamie Haughton on Unsplash

Here are 6 Triangulation tactics used by Narcissists in relationships.

1. Flying Monkeys. These are individuals, often friends or family members of the narcissist, who are enlisted to do the narcissist’s bidding by spreading rumours, giving false information, or otherwise creating chaos within the relationship. The narcissist may use these flying monkeys to create doubt in their partner’s mind, leading them to question their own perceptions and memories of past events.
2. Alternative supply. This is when the narcissist cultivates a new relationship or friendship outside of the current one, often with someone who is a direct threat to the current partner. By flaunting this new relationship or friendship, the narcissist is able to make their partner feel insecure and jealous. They may also use the new relationship as leverage in arguments or discussions…