Pseudologic and Word Salad

The majority of effective communication is non-verbal, and this is where many narcissists have a big advantage. Their tone of voice, speed of delivery, and body language convey great conviction, deep understanding and intelligence. But if you look at the actual words they are using you may gain a very different impression. This is particularly obvious in their written communication. Here it is easy to see the multiple contradictions, irrational conclusions, and loose associations between ideas that is the hallmark of the narcissist. This is what we call ‘narcissistic pseudologic’.

This pseudologic goes a step further when the narcissist experiences ‘narcissistic injury’ from being slighted, rejected, ignored or humiliated. Once the narcissist’s defensive armour of superiority is punctured, narcissistic rage ensues, and their style of communication nosedives into full ‘narcissistic word salad’.

Here the narcissist loses all sense of logic. They deny that things happened, blame the injured party, re-write history, use senseless reasoning, project on to the other party things that they themselves have done or have felt, make accusations, go round and round in circular discussions, which descend into a downward spiral, and say something one minute and deny having said it the next. They introduce new topics frequently or reintroduce old ones, and try to logicalise events using nonsensical explanations. They make intimidating threats, and then profess undying love in the very next sentence.

The recipient of this ranting, raging, nonsensical, accusatory word salad will be left reeling and breathless, utterly confused and questioning their own reality.

Many feel the need to try to record conversations to prove to the narcissist that they have said certain things which they are now denying. Most find themselves (pointlessly) trying to explain basic emotions, decency and empathy to the narcissist.

Emails and texts from a narcissist in full meltdown are where the contradictory word salad becomes really obvious.