Narcissistic rage refers to the disproportionate and often unanticipated anger response on the part of a narcissist when they fear that their inflated ego, grandiosity, or sense of superiority is being threatened.
Although seemingly self-confident and self-assured on the surface, hidden below is the narcissist’s deep-seated core shame. Narcissists feel compelled to keep this inner sense of inadequacy at bay, thus if threatened, they may respond with anger, i.e., rage. This rage may be expressed either overtly via explosive and aggressive means, or in a more covert, passive aggressive manner such as withholding attention and affection, sabotaging behaviors, or the silent treatment. (Note: Quiet seething rage is still rage.)
Triggers for the narcissist’s rage can be anything that threatens their façade of superiority, such as criticism, confronting them on their behavior, disagreeing with them, or not providing them with enough narcissistic supply, i.e. attention and admiration.
Narcissists are volatile creatures, desperate to maintain and defend their carefully constructed image. Should you dare to expose the “little man behind the curtain” watch out!