The Nullifying Person: 5 Traits

A nullifying person is one who has the habit of blocking or undervaluing others. It is not a clinical category as such, nor is it a diagnosis, but rather a profile that includes well-defined features, which makes it possible to differentiate it from others.

As the name implies, the voiding person performs actions that erase or dilute others. He does not always do it directly or explicitly, but sometimes gnaws in a subtle way, in such a way that those around him end up feeling bad about themselves or putting themselves on the sidelines, without really knowing how or why.

The nullifying person does not correspond strictly to a case of pathological narcissism, but it does look a lot like him. Its distinctive element is that of wanting to stand out  and the way to achieve this is by diminishing others. Even balanced and assertive people have a hard time putting limits on them. Its main characteristics are the following.

1. Project your flaws

The nullifying person is continually on the lookout for mistakes  or defects in others. You will not miss an opportunity to highlight any mistakes or voids that others may have. Sometimes he does it directly, but it is more common for him to use subtlety or innuendo.

The most curious thing is that they often accuse others of the same things that they do. For example, it is not uncommon for them to say to another: “It seems that you are always seeing the defects in others and not their virtues.” They don’t do anything else; however, in them, they do not see it. In a word: they project.

2. They rarely agree with others

Another of the traits of the canceling person is that he likes to raise unnecessary debates , but above all contradictory. Use counterpoint to give a message to others: they are never right. Of course, they always have it themselves.

They like debate, confrontation and that is why they often defend positions in which they do not really believe. They do not let others speak, they draw arguments from everywhere, they seek that the other remains silent. Tomorrow they can defend the opposite position with the same vehemence.

3. Is overcompetitive

The downside is not that the voiding person is overly competitive, but that they hardly ever compete in the most loyal way. Your goal is not to win in some field and show that you have more capabilities than others. The purpose behind these types of people is to make others lose.

Thus, he is not so interested in winning as in getting others to taste the taste of defeat. Therefore, they have the habit of criticizing absolutely everything that others do and say. “Are you wearing socks? Too bad they are not one of those who absorb perspiration, like the ones I am wearing ”. This is how they operate: disqualifying others, almost condescendingly.

4. Narcissism, a trait of the nullifying person

Nullifying people obviously have strong narcissistic traits. Of course, they are not the narcissistic type that is content to exalt themselves at all times and brag about what they do or do not do. No. They need, yes or yes, to minimize others. Continuous comparison is his weapon of choice.

These are the type of people who model themselves of all that is good, successful, intelligent, and extraordinary. Then you remind others that they are below, at least from their perspective. If someone says “I’ve had trouble handling that app,” the override jumps up to point out, “Good grief, but it is very simple. I know that application very well and it is one of the easy ones ”.

5. False solidarity

Although it may seem contradictory, the voiding person often helps others in order to minimize them. Solidarity is based on the fact that a person is in trouble because something overwhelms him, to some extent. Another, then, helps him to overcome the impasse, either by principle or by affection.

Canceling people help others to place themselves in a superior situation, but, above all, so that those who receive this “benefit” feel inferior and feel that they need more support. They do not want the other to overcome their difficulty, but to reaffirm their problem. “Don’t worry, I’ll do it for you. I know you don’t know how to do it ”.

Most of us have had to tolerate people like this. If they can be ignored, much better, but sometimes it is just someone we have to hang out with. In those cases, you have to set limits. If you don’t know how, you may need to develop some skills and a psychologist can help you with that.