Narcissistic Injury:

Narcissistic injury, also known as ego injury, narcissistic scar, narcissistic wound, or wounded ego: Narcissistic injury, first defined in the 1920s by Sigmund Freud as “early injuries to the self (injuries to narcissism),” including “losses in love” and “losses associated with failure.” It’s a real or perceived threat and emotional trauma that overwhelms an individual’s defense mechanisms and devastates their pride and self-worth. The shame or disgrace can be significant, creating permanent damage to their self-identity and self-esteem. Not always noticed, narcissistic injuries likely result from criticism, loss, envy, or sense of abandonment. Those diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can act excessively defensive and aggressive faced with narcissistic injury, from violent outbursts of anger (narcissistic rage) to milder reactions. Ego injury may appear to be gaslighting or turning the tables on the other person (counterattacking, blaming others, or becoming defensive instead of acknowledging flaws or mistakes). Also see DARVO (deny, attack, and reverse victim offender), Indignant Rage, and Narcissistic Withdrawal.