Reasons Why People Are Condescending

Heart
Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Condescending behaviors often come from people who are insecure, controlling, and afraid to be vulnerable.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

How to Deal With a Condescending Partner

Research shows that people with narcissistic personality disorder are often condescending towards others.3

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Research shows that people with narcissistic personality disorder are often condescending towards others.3

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Impact Romantic Relationships

A condescending person may not even realize that their behavior is problematic and hurtful. However, their actions and words speak very loudly.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Confront Your Partner

But if you're going to be blamed for wanting change, you're unlikely to do that. Open communication is a key component of a healthy long term relationship,2 and the blame cycle can prevent it from happening.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Emotional Distancing

The longer the blame cycle continues for, the harder it may be for someone who has distanced themself to feel close to their partner(s) again.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Threats and Coerciveness

Someone who threatens to hurt themselves should seek counseling from a mental healthcare professional.

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Withdrawal and Withholding

Although you and your partner may be dealing with their condescending behavior, you still have to take care of yourself

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Isolation

A person who wants to control you might try to cut off your contact with friends and family, especially if any of your loved ones express a dislike or distrust of the emotionally manipulative person.7

Dot
Multiple Blue Rings

Your partner might try to alienate you from your support system, causing you to doubt your decision to move on from the relationship.

Dot

Yellow Flags in a Relationship–Signs and How to Deal With Them