The Flying Monkey MD: Break Free from Covert Narcissist Manipulation
Flying Monkeys and the Covert Narcissist
“Flying monkeys” are individuals who act as agents of the covert narcissist, presenting themselves as friends while secretly serving the covert narcissist’s agenda.
The term originates from The Wizard of Oz, in which the Wicked Witch of the West uses flying monkeys to spy on, intimidate and harm Dorothy.
In a similar manner, covert narcissists recruit other people - family members, friends or acquaintances to help them maintain control over their target.
Some flying monkeys are narcissistic themselves, while others are unaware that they are being manipulated.
Believing the covert narcissist’s version of events, the flying monkeys further the covert narcissist’s malicious agenda.
Flying monkeys often pretend to be supportive in order to gather personal information, which is then reported back to the covert narcissist.
In family systems, blood relation does not change the objective, enforcing loyalty to the covert narcissist and undermining the true victim.
These individuals aid in spreading misinformation, questioning the victim’s credibility, undermining boundaries and even directly attack the victim on the covert narcissist’s behalf.
Recognizing the role of flying monkeys is a critical step for anyone seeking clarity, protection and ultimately freedom from a covert narcissist’s influence.
As long as the flying monkeys stay in your life, so does the covert narcissist.
The Inspiration Behind:
The Flying Monkey, MD
“In the initial stages of my research into covert narcissism, I stumbled upon the term "flying monkeys.”
This concept shed light on the betrayal I experienced from someone I thought was a close confidant and friend at work. It also prompted a reevaluation of all my relationships connected to two covert narcissists in my life. The moment I realized a large portion of the people in my life were not my friends and were in fact flying monkeys of the covert narcissists, my world was turned upside down.
The majority of my relationships consisted of these “frenemies” as the two covert narcissists in my life were closely intertwined with each other, regrettably through my introduction. A coworker covert narcissist conveniently used my college friend covert narcissist to obtain information about my personal life, including triggers and vulnerabilities I shared with him during my college years. Since she knew he was not a loyal friend (before I fully realized it), she used this “friendship” to her advantage and in fact, unbeknownst to him, he became her flying monkey as well.
Covert narcissists are able to easily recruit flying monkeys to support them through their mutual dislike of you, weaponized gift giving, acts of kindness, sob stories and their vulnerable appearing facade.
Unlike their overt counterparts, covert narcissists rely heavily on flying monkeys to discreetly execute a large portion of their abuse. In a cowardly manner, they use other people to fulfill their malicious agenda to avoid the spotlight and make their narcissistic behavior more difficult to detect.
For this reason and more, covert narcissists are far more malevolent than overt narcissists.
This is why I made it my mission to raise awareness, validate and aid in the healing process of those who have endured similar abuse at the hands of a covert narcissist and their flying monkeys.”
Dr. Z, The Flying Monkey MD