International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation Volume 9, Issue 2 2026 2
absence of a classification leaves a dynamic whereby
an abuser has a recognized behavior and indicated
treatment, but the victim of the abuse does not. Louis
de Cannonville (2010) proposed that narcissistic
abuse victim-survivors should be recognized with a
disorder of narcissistic victim syndrome, incorporating
recognition of experiences of post-traumatic stress or
complex post-traumatic stress.
The use of deception against the victim could serve as
a mechanism that differentiates narcissistic abuse from
other forms (Milstead, 2018 Howard &Adan, 2022).
It has been challenging to clearly specify additional
differentiations, likely due to the often insidious and
covert nature of narcissistic abuse’s occurrence. In
this article, we extend the critical discussion around
the processes of deception and propose that victim-
survivors should be recognized as experiencing
psychological harm and distress that aligns and relates
to cult members’ experiences of indoctrination and
undue influence. This key theoretical development
has the potential to apply destructive cult thought
reform (brainwashing/mind control/undue influence)
theory and abusive power recognition to help identify
subsequent recovery principles. We propose that post-
cult recovery principles can be integrated into the
understanding of narcissistic abuse presentations and
indicated therapeutic interventions. The content of this
article utilizes examples of victim-survivor accounts,
the authors’ own research outcomes, as well as other
research evidence and underpinning literature to
illustrate and build this theoretical proposition. It also
identifies therapeutic approaches that can be integrated
into mental health treatment, therapy, and support
recovery.
A Note on Language and Background
This article uses the term “narcissistic abuse” to
refer to individuals being harmed and distressed by
people with severe narcissistic traits. Additionally, we
recognize that other terms are used that incorporate
narcissistic abuse. Examples include harm through
pathological relationships, which may include
individuals with other Cluster B personality disorders
as identified in the DSM-5-TR (American Psychiatric
Association, 2022). These disorders include antisocial
personality disorder, borderline personality disorder,
histrionic personality disorder, as well as narcissistic
personality disorder. Furthermore, these other Cluster
B disorders may overlap in some individuals, resulting
in multiple traits (Brown &Young, 2018). The cross-
over of personality disorder presentation is addressed
in the DSM-5-TR Alternative Model for Personality
Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2022)
by identifying primary impairments in personality
functioning and pathological personality traits.
This article incorporates a theoretical exploration of
the similarities between destructive cult processes and
narcissistic abuse and proposes how recognizing shared
features can benefit the development of therapeutic
and recovery-based approaches. The recognition of
relationships between cult processes and narcissistic
abuse experiences builds upon previous anecdotes,
professional discussion, and survivor identifications
of the similarities between destructive cult processes
and narcissistic abuse that conference presentations,
interviews, blogs, and survivor accounts have
discussed (see: Arabi, 2024 Bonchay &Hassan, 2021
Durvasula, 2019 Reddit, 2020). We employed the
constant comparative method (Glaser &Strauss, 1967)
to analyze literature on destructive cult processes and
narcissistic abuse. This iterative approach systematically
identified shared mechanisms—such as deception,
manipulation, and control—while highlighting key
distinctions between the two contexts, such as the
hierarchical structure of cults versus the intimate, one-
on-one dynamics of narcissistic abuse. This method was
particularly useful as it facilitated the grounding of our
theoretical assertions in evidence, ensuring analytical
rigor while allowing for nuanced differentiation. By
continuously comparing themes and patterns across
identified literature, we were able to refine our analysis
as new insights emerged, supporting a comprehensive
understanding of how recovery frameworks from cult
contexts could inform recovery-focused interventions
for narcissistic abuse.
We also further identify that the positionality of this
theoretical article is influenced by two of its authors
(Howard and Attwood) who are survivors of narcissistic
abuse. During her own recovery when attempting to
reclaim her identity, Howard often thought “I feel like I
am coming out of a cult” (see Howard, 2022 Howard,
2024).

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Vickie Howard, Amina Adan, Charles Attwood |Escaping the Narcissist’s Worldview
Starting with the Narcissistic Individual
The most prominent starting point within this
exploration is the abuser—the individual with severe
narcissistic traits. The concept of narcissism is a
complex phenomenon, and many descriptions, sub-
types, and differing theoretical outlooks identify
how a severely narcissistic individual behaves and
presents (Levy, 2012 Miller &Campbell, 2008 Pincus
&Lukowitsky, 2010). For an individual to gain a
diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, they need
to be assessed by a diagnostic clinician (psychiatrist
or psychologist). Professional assessment is rare,
however, often because severely narcissistic individuals
do not consider that they have a problem, and probably
individuals with severe narcissistic traits are living in
society without an attached diagnosis. Therefore, the
prevalence of narcissistic personality disorder is poorly
defined, and the features of the diagnosis lack clarity
(Caligor, Levy &Yeomans, 2015). Prevalence estimates
of narcissistic personality disorder in the general
population range between 0% and 5.3% (Ronningstam,
2009).
The DSM-5-TR identifies narcissistic personality
disorder as a long-term pattern of behaviors
incorporating grandiosity, a need for excessive
admiration, a sense of entitlement, lack of empathy,
interpersonal exploitation, and arrogance and
haughtiness (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
The stated aspects of interpersonal exploitation and
lack of a respectful relational personality style pose the
question as to how the narcissistic person’s subsequent
abuse serves them. The narcissistic individual has
an insatiable appetite for bolstering their self-esteem
(Thomaes, Bushman, De Castro, &Stegge, 2009). If a
relationship is not doing this for them, or not doing this
enough for them, then they will use abusive behavior
to increase their feelings of self-worth, superiority,
and power (Howard, 2019). They will use whatever
techniques they possess to boost these feelings without
a thought for the individual they will be mistreating
in the process, as they have a distinct lack of empathy,
compassion, and regard for how others in their path may
suffer from their actions and behavior. Manipulation
and coercion become techniques to achieve their goal.
As a result, deception occurs toward the victim(s)
whom they are using to meet their own self-esteem
needs (Howard &Adan, 2022).
Deception may take the form of pathological dishonesty
and telling backstories, in which the narcissistic
individual amends details to make themselves appear
the victim (Howard, 2019). They may try to cover
up cheating behavior or assert they were pursued
relentlessly by the illicit partner and again portray
themselves as a victim of someone else’s wrongdoing.
Obviously, the use of deception by a narcissistic
individual is still a complex phenomenon, and a trauma-
informed outlook on narcissistic behaviors views it
as a protective response triggered by an individual’s
perceived threat to protection and survival (Johnstone
&Boyle, 2020). Personality science has focused upon
narcissism as a component of the dark triad, which
also includes psychopathy and Machiavellianism
(Paulhus &Williams, 2002). These are non-diagnostic
descriptions of personality traits that are classified by
scoring on criteria dimensions. Dark triad traits in
men are linked to mechanisms of seductive persuasion
for sexual access, and all three traits are involved
with repeated sexual advances or sexual harassment
(Koehn, Okan, &Jonason, 2019 Zeigler-Hill, Besser,
&Campbell, 2016). These individual differences lead
to a propensity for sexual offences by individuals with
these traits (Koehn, Okan, &Jonason, 2019).
Deception and Its Use in Narcissistic Abuse:
Applying Psychological Theories of Deception
Although emerging studies and academic papers have
identified the features and patterns of narcissistic abuse
and how pathological narcissism impacts on others in
an insidious way (Day, Townsend, &Grenyer, 2020
Howard, 2019), the question will often arise about
the difference between narcissistic abuse and other
forms of interpersonal abuse occurring within the
context of an intimate relationship, family relationship,
friendship, or working relationship. Deception is a
central mechanism in narcissistic abuse, serving as
a tool for manipulation and control within intimate
partner relationships. Theories of deception provide
a valuable framework to unravel how narcissistic
individuals employ behaviors to maintain their power
and own self-esteem in deeply personal and often
intense relationship dynamics.
Mimicry deception theory (MDT) suggests that
deception can occur along a short-term to long-term