Antagonistic Attachment Style

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Antagonistic attachment style is based on childhood exploitation, manipulation, and competition and is often associated with narcissistic and other dark personality traits. Adults view relationships oppositionally, seeking dominance and control, lacking empathy, using others for personal gain, and can be emotionally abusive, even violent. Narcissists don’t fit into other attachment stylesthat result from inconsistent or frightening caregiving because their relationships are characterized by antagonism, predation, and exploitation rather than genuine connection. Also see Attachment Theory

Antagonistic Narcissism: Antagonistic narcissism, sometimes viewed as a subtype of grandiose narcissism, is characterized by manipulation, aggression, and a lack of empathy. In addition to sharing all grandiose narcissistic traits, antagonistic traits include:

• Arrogance, hostility, and aggression, using verbal abuse, insults, intimidation to control others.
• Manipulation and deceit to dominate, gain advantage, and make demands, using manipulative tactics without regard for consequences
• Jealousy and suspiciousness of others, often interpreting their actions as threats