What is a Freudian slip? Have you heard the term? The Freudian slip, also called parapraxis, is essentially a slip of the tongue where someone unintentionally says something they didn’t mean to. Sigmund Freud described this phenomenon in his 1901 book titled: “The Psychopathology of Everyday Life.”
Freud posited that these linguistic slips, or verbal stumblings, held hidden meaning as they were clues from the unconscious mind. An inadvertent slip of the tongue could represent repressed intentions and impulses, perhaps even revealing forbidden desires.
Freudian slips may hold deeper meaning as they provide a window into the inner workings of the subconscious.
Freud referred to these verbal mistakes as Fehlleistungen (German), which means “faulty actions, functions, or performances.” He believed that these linguistic faux pas, also called symptomatic actions, are in fact not accidental, but have meaning attached to them that can be interpreted and translated.
What does a Freudian slip look like in the narcissistic context?
Think of it this way…. when a disordered person says something unintentionally, they are giving you a peek into their subconscious thoughts and feelings. This is significant because toxic people are not usually forthcoming when it comes to divulging information that is emotional in nature.
Therefore, the Freudian slip can be a gift of sorts… and quite fascinating, in that the slip is coming from a disordered mind.
For instance, a narcissist may say something they’ve been wanting to get off their chest, but haven’t known how to express it. This could represent a suppressed hope or desire, or maybe even an admission of guilt. Their “verbal confession” just gave you an eye-opening glance into their inner world.
Information coming from a disordered mind is worth making note of and documenting, especially if you’re in a legal dispute with this person.
Although, Freudian slips can be common in the general population, or with narcissists that are more overt, they’re usually few and far between with mature narcissists who have honed their covert narcissistic tactics.
Information that is locked within the subconscious mind, can at times filter out into a person’s speech, and ultimately their behavior. The best kind of slip is when an admission of guilt is made, giving you a valuable piece of information..
Linguistic blunders are more likely to occur when a person is stressed, overwhelmed, or unhappy. Look for the Freudian slip from the toxic person in your life. Be prepared for your jaw to drop…
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