While the term “demonic energy” might sound dramatic, some people do things that can feel unnaturally draining and destructive.
Narcissists are definitely guilty of this. They gaslight, manipulate, abuse, and attempt to break down their victims without hesitation or regret, and they’ll stop at nothing to stay in control and in power. However, their methods become far less effective if you know what you’re looking for. Here’s how to spot these particularly intense narcissistic traits and protect your own energy.
1. They drain everyone’s emotional energy.
Some people have an uncanny ability to drain every ounce of positivity from a room the moment they enter it. It’s like they feed off other people’s energy, leaving everyone feeling inexplicably exhausted after interactions. You might notice people physically backing away during conversations, or people mentioning how drained they feel after spending time with this person. This isn’t just about being high-maintenance – it’s about actively consuming everyone’s emotional resources.
2. They use calculated charm to manipulate.
While genuine charisma feels warm and inclusive, this type of charm has an unsettling edge to it. They seem to know exactly what to say to draw people in, but their words often feel calculated rather than authentic. Watch how they mirror other people’s behaviours and speech patterns with almost supernatural precision, adapting their personality to whoever they’re targeting. This manipulative charisma often leaves people feeling uneasy even while being drawn in.
3. They have no emotion in their eyes.
There’s something particularly unsettling about someone whose eyes remain completely vacant while displaying seemingly emotional behaviours. When people are genuinely moved or upset, they maintain this eerie emotional disconnect despite performing the “right” facial expressions. Pay attention to how their practised smile never quite reaches their eyes, creating an uncanny valley effect in their expressions.
4. They celebrate other people’s bad luck.
These people seem to become more energised and alive when someone is suffering. They might maintain a façade of concern, but you’ll notice a subtle lift in their mood or energy when hearing about other people’s problems. This twisted joy in other people’s misfortunes goes beyond simple schadenfreude – it’s as if they’re actually feeding off the negative energy of situations.
5. They create chaos for entertainment.
There’s a distinct pattern of stirring up drama and conflict, then sitting back to watch the fallout with barely concealed delight. They might start rumours, reveal secrets at strategic moments, or pit people against each other while maintaining plausible deniability. The more emotional turmoil they create, the more energised they seem to become, as if chaos itself fuels them.
6. They remember every slight for revenge.
While most people eventually let go of minor offences, these individuals maintain detailed mental records of every perceived slight, no matter how small. They can recall with perfect clarity something that happened years ago, waiting for the perfect moment to exact their revenge. This isn’t normal grudge-holding – it’s an almost supernatural ability to store negative energy for future use.
7. They mimic emotions without feeling them.
Watch closely as they perform emotional responses with technical perfection but zero authenticity. They’ve studied human behaviour enough to know exactly when to laugh, when to show concern, or when to appear sad, but something feels off about these displays. It’s like watching a highly sophisticated AI trying to replicate human emotions without actually experiencing them.
8. They refuse to respect any boundaries.
These individuals seem physically incapable of respecting personal boundaries, as if they’re compelled to push against any limits set by other people. No matter how clearly you communicate your boundaries, they’ll find ways to violate them while claiming innocence. This isn’t just poor social skills – it’s an active resistance to acknowledging people’s right to have boundaries at all.
9. They control people through subtle threats.
Their threats are often so skilfully veiled that people might think you’re paranoid for noticing them. They master the art of making casual comments that carry heavy underlying meanings, using tone and timing to convey menace while maintaining plausible deniability. Pay attention to how they can make even innocent phrases sound like warnings, creating an atmosphere of constant unease.
10. They demand constant attention and praise.
This goes beyond normal narcissistic needs – it’s an insatiable hunger for attention that seems to grow stronger the more it’s fed. They can’t stand anyone else being in the spotlight and will go to extraordinary lengths to redirect attention back to themselves. Even when receiving constant praise and attention, there’s a sense that it’s never enough to fill their void.
11. They spread negativity strategically.
Their method of spreading negativity isn’t random – it’s calculated for maximum impact. They know exactly when and where to drop their toxic comments or actions for the most devastating effect. Watch how they can poison positive situations with perfectly timed negative remarks, almost as if they have a sixth sense for when joy is most vulnerable to disruption.
12. They take pleasure in breaking spirits.
There’s a pattern of targeting especially positive or spiritually strong individuals, almost as if they’re drawn to dimming bright lights. They seem to derive particular satisfaction from gradually wearing down optimistic people until they become shells of their former selves. This isn’t just bullying – it’s a systematic approach to destroying someone’s inner light.
13. They project their darkness onto other people.
They have an uncanny ability to accuse people of exactly what they themselves are guilty of, often before anyone notices their own behaviour. This projection goes beyond normal psychological defence mechanisms – it’s like they’re trying to transfer their inner darkness onto someone else through accusations. Watch how they often accuse other people of manipulation, lying, or evil intentions while exemplifying these very behaviours.
14. They twist the truth into unrecognisable forms.
Their relationship with truth goes beyond simple lying – they seem to bend reality itself through their manipulation of facts. They can take a simple truth and distort it so completely that other people begin to doubt their own memories and perceptions. This isn’t just gaslighting – it’s an almost supernatural ability to create alternate versions of reality.
15. They lack basic human empathy.
Source: Unsplash While many narcissists show limited empathy, these individuals display a complete void where human compassion should exist. They can witness extreme distress without the slightest flicker of genuine concern, often appearing annoyed that they have to pretend to care. This absence of empathy feels less like a personality trait and more like a fundamental missing piece of their humanity.
