Narcissistic Relationships: The Downside to Loving a Narcissist

Narcissistic Relationships: The Downside to Loving a Narcissist

Narcissistic Relationships: The Downside to Loving a Narcissist



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Narcissistic Relationships: The Downside to Loving a Narcissist
narcissistic relationshipNarcissistic relationships are formed when one or both partners struggle with a narcissistic personality. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is defined by The Mayo Clinic as “a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they’re superior to others and have little regard for other people’s feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”
We live in an increasingly narcissistic world. Hard statistics and science are pointing in this direction. The “look at me” mentality that is often promoted by social networks like Facebook has people positively enamored with the image they present to the world. In addition, we may now be seeing the negative effects of the self-esteem movement on a larger scale. So how does this rise in narcissism impact our personal relationships? For one thing, more narcissism means more narcissistic relationships.
Professor Brad Bushman of the Ohio State University put it bluntly, when he said: “Narcissists are very bad relationship partners.” Studies show that in a narcissistic relationship, your partner is more likely to engage in manipulative or game playing behaviors and less likely to be committed long-term. A relationship with a narcissist can be hard to cope with.  To shed light on the common outcomes, struggles, and effects of a narcissistic relationship, we’ve interviewed psychologist and author Dr. Lisa Firestone.
How Can You Tell if You Are in a Narcissistic Relationship?

When thinking about narcissism, I’m often reminded of the joke when someone goes on and on about themselves, then interrupts with, “But enough about me, how do you feel about me?”  If your partner is all about themselves, always needing attention and affirmation, he or she may be a narcissist. If someone is easily slighted or over-reactive to criticism, they may also be a narcissist. If they feel they are always right, that they know more, or that they have to be the best, etc., these are also signs of narcissism.  Narcissistic individuals may only appear to care about you when you are fulfilling their needs or serving a purpose for them. A narcissistic relationship can lead to a lot of emotional distress.
It is estimated that around 1% of population suffers from NPD. However, many people who have NPD do not seek treatment and therefore are never diagnosed. Studies show that men are more likely to be narcissistic. Roughly 75% of the individuals diagnosed with NPD are men. Although almost everyone has some self-centered or narcissistic traits, most people do not meet the criteria for having a personality disorder. There is, however, a growing portion of the population that is displaying a greater number of toxic, narcissistic traits, which are having an adverse effect on their lives and the lives of people close to them, even if they do not meet the clinical diagnosis of NPD. Forming attachments to individuals who exhibit these negative traits often causes similar distress as a diagnosable narcissistic relationship.
A new study from Ohio State University has found that one simple question can identify narcissists as accurately as the 40-item test that has been widely used to diagnose NPD.  The question is simple, rating yourself on a scale of 1-7: “To what extent do you agree with this statement: I am a narcissist. (Note: The word ‘narcissist’ means egotistical, self-focused and vain.)”  You can even try out this free  interactive narcissism quiz. However, while this study suggests that many narcissists will freely admit to their narcissistic tendencies, it is important to note that most narcissists resist the diagnosis of NPD. Narcissists, generally, do not like to be told that they are narcissists. In fact, they often have a strong negative and volatile reaction.
Below are some common traits that a narcissistic relationship partner is likely to have: (Note  the degree to which these traits manifest themselves will vary largely depending on the individual.)
Sense of entitlement or superiority
Lack of empathy
Manipulative or controlling behavior
Strong need for admiration
Focus on getting one’s own needs met, often ignoring the needs of others
Higher levels of aggression
Difficulty taking feedback about their behavior

narcissism webinarWhy do people become narcissistic? Is it a symptom of something else?
Narcissistic people often have narcissistic parents, who offered them a build up but no real substance. Their parents wanted them to be great, so they could be the parent of a great person, the best artist, smartest student, etc. Often narcissistic people were also neglected, as their parents were so focused on themselves that they could not attune to their child or meet their child’s emotional needs.  The child was only useful to these parents when they were serving a purpose for them. Often, the parents of a person with NPD alternated between emotional hunger toward the child and disinterest.
Narcissists have inflated self-esteem (both self-soothing and self-aggrandizing “voices”) a component of what my father, Dr. Robert Firestone, refers to as the “anti-self.” They are very fragile, because the flip side of their self-aggrandized feeling is very low self-esteem, the other component of the anti-self (made up of extremely self-hating and self-demeaning “critical inner voices”). So, for these people, even slight criticism can be a narcissistic injury, leading to an angry outburst and desperate attempts to regain their fragile, inflated self-esteem. Often, a condescending remark will help them to reestablish their superior image. Condescending is a common dynamic in narcissistic relationships. This behavior can be traced back to the need desperate need narcissists feel to be above others.
What are the different types of Narcissism?
While all narcissists are likely to show certain behaviors, not all narcissists are the same. In fact, there are two different types of narcissism, Grandiose Narcissism and Vulnerable Narcissism. These types of narcissism stem from different early childhood experiences andlead to different behaviors in a relationship.
Grandiose narcissists display high levels of grandiosity, aggression and dominance. They tend to be more confident and less sensitive. They are often elitists and have no problem telling everyone how great they are. Usually grandiose narcissists were treated as if they were superior in their early childhood and they move through life expecting this type of treatment to continue. In relationships, grandiose narcissists are more likely to openly engage in infidelity or leave their partners abruptly if they feel that they are not getting the special treatment that they think they are entitled to.
Vulnerable narcissists, on the other hand, are much more emotionally sensitive. They have what Dr. Campbell describes as a “fragile grandiosity,” in which their narcissism serves as a façade protecting deeper feelings of inadequacy and incompetence. Vulnerable  narcissists swing back and forth between feeling superior and inferior. They often feel victimized or anxious when they are not treated as if they are special. This type of narcissism usually develops in early childhood as a coping mechanism to deal with abuse or neglect. In relationships, vulnerable  narcissists often worry about how their partners perceive them. They can be very possessive, jealous and paranoid about their partners having flirtations or affairs.
How does a narcissistic partner negatively impact a relationship?
Narcissistic relationships tend to be very challenging. Narcissistic partners usually have difficulty really loving someone else, because they don’t truly love themselves.  They are so focused on themselves that they cannot really “see” their partner as a separate person.  They tend to only see the partner in terms of how they fill their needs (or fail to fill their needs). Their mates and children are only valued in terms of their ability to meet these needs.  Narcissistic partners often lack the ability to have empathy with their partners’ feelings. This lack of empathy leads to a lot of hard feelings.
Yet many people are drawn to narcissistic relationships. Narcissistic partners can be very captivating, especially at the beginning. They tend to have a “big” personality. They are the life of the party. They can make you feel that you too must be great for them to choose you. However, in time, they can be too controlling in relationships. They may feel jealous or easily hurt.  When narcissistic injuries occur, they often lash out and can be cutting.  Their reactions are dramatic and attention-seeking. According to narcissistic personality expert, Dr. W. Keith Campbell, “The effects of narcissism are most substantial in relation to interpersonal functioning. In general, trait narcissism is associated with behaving in such a way that one is perceived as more likable in initial encounters with strangers— but this likability diminishes with time and increased exposure to the narcissistic individual.” This is why many people, who have been in a long-term narcissistic relationships, describe a very passionate and exciting honeymoon period in the beginning and then a sharp decline as the likability decreases and the self-centered behaviors increase. Narcissists are prone to falling madly in love with someone instantly and are very quick to commit. However, this initial love and commitment is not easily sustained.
When you are in a narcissistic relationship, you may feel very lonely. You might feel like you are just an accessory and  your needs and wants are unimportant.  Narcissistic partners act as if they are always right, that they know better and that their partner is wrong or incompetent. This often leaves the other person in the relationship either angry and trying to defend themselves or identifying with this negative self-image and feeling badly about themselves.
Read: Is There a Cure For Narcissism
What are some things a person can do to deal with a narcissistic partner?
If you find yourself in a narcissistic relationship, you can first recognize what you have chosen and reflect on the unconscious motives that might have led you to choose such a partner. Did you have a self-centered parent?  Are you more comfortable with your partner being in control, so you can then take be more passive? Do you get a sense of worth from being attached to someone who is in the spotlight?  Does the negative image of yourself they foster with their criticisms and superior attitudes resonate with your own critical thoughts about yourself?  Many people who fall in love with narcissists have issues around co-dependency. They will put up with a certain amount of abuse because they don’t feel confident enough in themselves to set boundaries or be on their own.
Understanding your role in the narcissistic relationship is important. You can then start to challenge yourself to change your half of the dynamic. This will, in turn, challenge your partner to change their style of relating. You can recognize the fragility of your partner’s self-esteem and have compassion for the fact that his or her inflated sense of self, superiority and grandiosity is a cover up for the flip side of self-hate and feelings of inadequacy.  You can also develop your own self-confidence and self-worth by learning to practice self-compassion. Don’t be a victim. In all encounters, act equal, and treat your partner as an equal.
understanding npd narcissistic relationshipsHow can people face and overcome their own narcissism?
A narcissist can challenge and overcome their narcissism by recognizing and separating from both the self-soothing, self-aggrandizing and self-attacking attitudes of their critical inner voice. The attitudes they internalized very early on in their lives. They need to recognize and challenge these attitudes toward themselves and toward others. One method for doing this is through Voice Therapy.
Narcissists further need to differentiate from negative traits of their parents or early caretakers that they are still acting out in their current lives. These traits might include superior attitudes or condescending behaviors.  They also need to give up the adaptations they made to the ways their own parents neglected them or were emotionally hungry toward them. These adaptations may have once been their survival mechanisms, but they now manage to push others away and sabotage personal lives and goals. Narcissists also need to break patterns of being self-centered or withholding. They must fight the tendency to always compare themselves to others and the need to be the “best” or “perfect” all the time.
Another way to cure narcissism is to foster self-compassion rather than self-esteem. Psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff has done extensive research on self-esteem versus self-compassion. The difference between self-esteem and self-compassion is that self-esteem centers on evaluating yourself  in relation to others and emphasizes a need to be special. While self-compassion focuses on “treating oneself with kindness, recognizing one’s shared humanity, and being mindful when considering negative aspects of oneself.” Dr. Neff’s studies have found that self-esteem leads to higher levels of narcissism, but self-compassion does not. Self-compassion actually combats narcissism because it includes the idea of a shared humanity with all other human beings, which leads to more compassion for others. Self-compassion also fosters real self-awareness, a trait many narcissists lack, as it promotes that we be mindful of our faults, which is the first step to changing negative traits in yourself.
For there to be any hope of recovering a good relationship from a narcissistic relationship, the narcissist must overcome their self-centered and negative traits. They need to challenge their self-feeding habits and pseudo-independent stance. They need to focus on developing their capacity for empathy and respect of others.  Lastly, they need to develop transcendent goals, to care about and invest in others’ well-being. Being generous and giving to others are examples of behaviors that would be corrective, building real self-esteem and practicing focusing outside of oneself.
Tagged with: DESTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP NARCISSISM NARCISSISTIC NARCISSISTIC RELATIONSHIP RELATIONSHIP ADVICE


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435 COMMENTS


Jeff
May 21, 2013 at 3:24 pm
I was a major victim of a Narcissist! It has destroyed my family, business, friends and now rolls into my current relationship. I was with her for 11 years – then we split for a while, I met someone else who was wonderful and I swore that I would never go back (This is before I understood what a narcissistic was or that I was being so damaged). Unfortunently, I went back to the sick narcissistic person for a few weeks- and destroyed my new relationship. Then I found out more about a narcissist person . Why I would do such a thing? The person I really want to be with is giving me a 2nd shot to be with her, but wants more answers as to why I went back to the freak Narcissist to begin with… I don’t have an answer for her, other than- “”Unless you are a victim, you will never know what hell I’ve been thru” There are no articles online that explain why a Victim of this abuse would go back to it! It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life to even do so. Does anyone have any advice as to why a person would go back to a Narcissist?

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jim
December 17, 2013 at 9:50 am
Because u feel responsible and want to try to fix it..

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Jay
February 11, 2014 at 2:46 pm
OMG! That’s it exactly! My marriage is over, but I’m concerned for the welfare of the kids and I can’t trust her judgement. So, I keep trying to fix the situation as we move toward finalizing the divorce. For now, I’m a hostage in my own home.

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velvetanne
March 16, 2014 at 2:46 am
You are like me – a co-dependent. Most of us are attracted to what is comfortable and familiar- is it possible that one of your parents is a narcissist and that you were the co-dependent and this is why you are attracted to her? My last two relationships nearly destroyed me but finally opened my eyes to the fact that my mother is horribly mentally ill – a narcissist. It was hard to see because it seems normal to me.

The other thing that helped me stay away from narcissists was asking myself if I would want my daughters treated this way. Sounds odd but if you are a co-dependent and child of a narcissist, it iis easier to empathize about others than yourself. good luck.

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MaryGrace McGovern
March 29, 2014 at 4:26 pm
This is so true for me too, exactly. Dealing now with my own codependency. So painful to be lied to by these narracists. I am focusing on fixing up my emotional life and letting others take care of themselves. Peace and Love.


K
July 5, 2014 at 7:59 pm
A light just went off in my head reading your response. I don’t have kids, and don’t even know if I want them… but that’s a wonderful way to gauge someone else’s behavior: (If I had a daughter…) Would I want my daughter to be treated this way? My last boyfriend was most definitely a narcissist… I think I would have saved myself a lot of pain and self doubt if I had ever asked myself that. Thank you!


Stine
August 8, 2014 at 12:05 am
Thank you Your Words inspire me. Guilt is what hold us back This is The narcistic weapon…


sonia
December 17, 2014 at 1:51 am
thank you for posting this. I feel I understand your situation and have had a lightbulb moment where I realised the problems associated with my narcissistic boyfriend actually stemmed from my childhood, primed by my narcissistic mother. I was conditioned to be a doormat and feel comfortable in this role. Now I don’t want to be a doormat and it is hard to overturn the habits of a lifetime. But I’m not giving up.


JEFFERY CLARK
June 12, 2015 at 2:46 pm
I was reading these post’s and felt I had to reply. I work for the va and hold the position of a first line supervisor in my department. I actually had to look up the definition of this disorder because my service chief has displayed these characteristics to the letter. (note) I am not a disgruntled employee,. she has over the years of holding her position literally tore this department apart. I wont go into the details of it as there is not enough ink in the printer. she is where the buck stops as far as promotions go and any disciplinary action or any other factor that affects employee’s careers in this department. and for lack of a better way to put it; she is crazy. is there any way to expose this condition to others who do not have day to day contact with her?


Dave
May 20, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Jeff/Jay,

Wow, I thought I was in this alone. But my relationship resembles exactly what both of you have dealt with or are dealing with. After 10 years of marriage my wife and I divorced. When she was happy our life was great. But as the article states, when she got jealous or hurt she lashed out and would say some of the most hurtful things. And she would do it in front of our children. I would ask her to stop and not say things hurtful in front of our kids but she would look at them and tell them that they need to know that daddy is a nobody. I had to take my kids to another room and explain that mommy was just stressed or come up with any excuse to still protect this woman who bashed me simply because she didn’t want to be married anymore. I work for the oil and gas industry so I am gone a lot and my kids say they love it when I’m home because mommy doesn’t yell that much. Because of that I choose to stay in this relationship because as horrible as she can be, the courts will never give me my children and I can’t bear to be away from them. I just don’t trust her judgement with them, especially when she gets angry. I too feel like a prisoner in my own home.

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JB
May 23, 2014 at 6:38 am
The crazy thing about being married to a narcissist (for 26 years!) is their ability to blame everything on the spouse. They choose people with low self esteem, and proceed to destroy their sense of self. I didn’t see that I was a victim of abuse until I found out he was cheating. I now realize that he has been cheating on me, and manipulating me and everyone around me, for 30 years. It’s scary, it’s lonely, and it’s shocking. I don’t know who I really am anymore.


Carol
May 25, 2014 at 6:44 am
I have been married to a narcassist for 44 years but did not know this until I started researching 4 years ago! I am devastated at the time and energy that I have wasted just doing his bidding all the time and fighting for my own thoughts and independence. He constantly blames me for mistakes he makes should I dare interrupt his work, he is arrogant dealing with people, he is grandiose, rude, petulant, argumentative and always right! His temper is scary altho he has never struck me. He thrives on living on the edge and takes advantage of people to gain image. He puffs up if the females around him come to talk to him because then he can boast about what he has done, where he has been, etc. he is secretive…locks his phone, computer, papers and unless I pry I do not know what money he has. He shuns all household chores altho if pushed will do some tidying up, shopping of help move things. Dont ask this man to do his laundry, cook, clean, pay bills, do paperwork, buy birthday cards or gifts, phone family or friends because it doesn’t happen! He arranges all travel and keeps his travel dates a secret until the last minute and I cannot plan anything for myself. Constant reminders bring forth retaliation. He moves my things from place to place so I can’t find them, he breaks things, he finds it amusing when I get upset by his actions. He can’t say sorry even when horribly wrong and he has little sympathy for anything or any one. His family do not see what happens behind closed doors and think I cause a fuss. They think he is marvelous, talented and amazing. All the things which got me caught up with him now do not apply often in this house. Only conflict of his making day in and day out. At the age of 66 there is no hope or going back for me but I would advise anyone dealing with this issue to get out and never go back. They destroy you bit by bit.


Sel
May 26, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Hi JB,
I too am a victim of a narcissistic partner. I can’t 26 years. I spent almost 5 years. It has completely devastated my life. I understand about them blaming you – they’re always right – belittle you to NO END- your self esteem gets shot. I relocated my whole life to be with the one who I thought was the love of my life. Now, I am at a new place all alone because our relationship has ended. Of course, he blamed me, but the hurtful things that were said totally destroyed me. I figured I would give him his space for awhile, you went online and conversed with a girl for 3 weeks and now he is flying her in town (4hrs away – 55 min flight) on the weekends. I am lost and feel like I was punched in the face. Soooo, devastated and scarred from this. Totally changed my life completely. Not sure how to move on, I can barely get out of bed – I cry every day. I know my family and friends are getting tired of me dwelling. They all constantly tell me to move. I’m not understanding why I am having such a hard time. I’ve had break ups and I was divorced one, but this has taken it’s toll on me. I feel I was beaten to a pulp mentally. He constantly would tell me I have no substance in my life. I walked on eggshells – he belittled me to no end. I wonder now, how long will the relationship last with his new girlfriend. This is going to be tough, especially living in a very small town. Just makes me so sick!!!! Never had such a horrific heartbreak!!


Jane
June 11, 2014 at 11:03 am
it s a lot of us out therewho have problems with narc.
I have th esam situation as ‘ Sel ‘ . I feel the blame for everithingt that happent. Even when he chated me i thought it was my fault. My self-esteem is so low now. Horrible thing


Michelle
July 19, 2014 at 2:55 am
Hi Sel, i have just found this page as i am currently going through some things myself. I see your post was uploaded earlier in the year. I hope you are feeling better now? Whenever you get down about things and think of him with other people, just remember the way he was with you is exactly the way he will treat them. He is sick and unless he realises this and wants help, he will always be the same no matter who he is with. Even if they look happy in pictures, i assure you behind closed doors he will treat her the same after awhile. Just ask yourself how many people knew you were unhappy while you were with him? Or did you hide it well to protect him from being judged by others?? I know i did. He may start of nice, as they all do but eventually she will experience the same things you did. Try to feel thankful you are not with him anymore because he actually did you a favor by letting you go.


Don
September 19, 2014 at 12:27 pm
I am in a 23 year relationship with a woman that craves attention from men not that she has ever cheated on me. I found out after she complained that I was ignoring her that she had met a younger man on her cell phone on what site I still do not know and was sending him a lot of money from her inheritance until she found out he was a scammer. At first she was angry almost blaming me for him not being real and I also found out that they had been texting each other sexually. Now she is finally asking for forgiveness and telling me she is so sorry! I told her I would stay only if we went to marriage counseling. She said she is going to get counseling for herself first which caught me off guard. I was glad she has decided to do this. People who know of this asked me why do I stay and my answer is LOVE AND COMMITMENT! Everybody makes a mistake and I have forgiven her!


Holly
October 14, 2014 at 12:59 am
That is heart breaking.
Blessings shall be on your way,

Lots of love.


Stan
January 2, 2015 at 2:15 pm
This post is for Don, in this string, and perhaps for all who are considering ‘going back’ A quote on another site said something like “Going back in a relationship with a Narcissist is like giving them another bullet to shoot you with.’ I was lucky enough to end a relationship after 8 months. I couldn’t stand her flirting up everybody, and I mean everybody, I felt like just a small spoke in her wheel. I went back once, and it lasted a month. I loved her deeply and was committed completely to this person. But, I soon realized she would seek attention wherever she could get it. No boundaries. I understand that underneath it all she is insecure about herself, as every so often she would cry about her lack of accomplishments in life. It is tempting to go back, but, my advice is 1) We don’t need this person to fill up our life with excitement (it was very exciting). and 2) I started filling up my own life with excitement and things and people I wanted to do, and be with. What I have read about the narcissistic relationship resonates wtih my. My lower self esteem kept me in this relationship of being with a person who was always the center of attention. No more. My self esteem is better off without having a narcissistic partner.


Kstar
March 29, 2015 at 11:51 pm
My mother is a narcissist and my brothers and I endured her abuse moderately well because we had a wonderful, strong father who didn’t enable her behavior. I know how hard it must be for you, but you are very likely saving your kids’ lives.


BigD
July 21, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Sounds to me like you are the narcissist and not the soon to be former spouse. What do you think about that?

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Jphn
June 6, 2014 at 10:41 pm
When I was a kid , I would always think of how my life would be when I got older. I would get married and together we would save money for a house and have children and 2 cars and try to live a normal life. this is not reality of todays world we live in. this is my second marriage, shes pretty, a great cook ,but that all goes away when her narcisisitic being comes out. She was an only child and her parents must of made her out to be this wonderful child,that she wasn’t. I now deal with this on a daily basis, I have spoken to her about her taking to men on her facebook page but she doesn’t care. I wish I could leave even though im the bread winner,she has beat on me many times until I throw her off. when the rage comes you can see the disconnection in her eyes. I don’t even think she fully sees what she is doing other than acting out. I

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Freckles
August 10, 2014 at 5:13 am
John, more than a narcissist she sounds like a sociopath. Sociopaths have no empathy for others, like many narcissists, but the difference is a sociopath aims to enjoy hurting others either emotionally or physically. They manipulate everyone and everyone, including family, is just a piece on a game board for them to use for their own sick, self-serving goals. It’s scary how many sociopaths there actually are these days—including women.

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Sherry
August 17, 2014 at 10:06 pm
I believe ur correct I had Bn married to a cross between these two types of people rolled into a one destructive package. We were married 12 years n fortunately he left me n the kids but his evilness continues n he only uses his parents, our kids n myself for creating toxic situations. We actually had a brief time were he left all of us alone to travel but when he retuned it was worst! What can be done to survive this type of person. This man has already helped cause the early death of His father with constant worry n bailing this person out of every imagine able situation n finally his father to die. I know people say that didn’t cause his fathers’s death but u don’t know all the circumstances n years of tourtière for a fathers only son… Just let it at that n his father had no Heath problems n had timely check up. This person then plans his dads funeral before the last his dads last breath n has already stole all the valuable items from his home within hours after the funeral. The are two children early teens n his mom that I am concerned what will happen now that he has Will in hand n only thing that stands between him n millions are these children n his mom. What took his years to build as a great family has now been n will be destroyed by this outa control adult that is very intelligent w such evil!


Lee
December 21, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Hi Jeff. I read your post and I’m sorry to hear what you have been through. I’ve read your post 7 months after you wrote it. I hope your ok now.
However, I have been through the exact same position with the narcissistic woman in my life. It’s quite a long story as I’m sure yours is. If you get this message my email is leekelly392@yahoo.co.uk
Drop me a line if you would like to share your experiences with someone who has been there too.

Good luck

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Margaret
January 27, 2014 at 9:30 am
Hi I’m in a relationship right now with one and it’s driving me crazy, what should I do? I can’t take it anymore.

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Nadia
February 11, 2014 at 2:56 am
I’ve been in a relationship for a little over a year now with a man who might be a Narc. He never puts me down and he’s got wonderful qualities. He does complement me on both physical and personal levels and We have so much in common. Whave a great time together 99% of the time but I’ve noticed recently that he’s making more and more comments on how great he is. He says they”re just jokes and can’t believe I don’t find him hilarious but to be honest it’s getting a little frustrating. I sometimes feels like he loves himself way more then he loves me and I feel a little resentment and don’t want to give him any complements or say positive comments which could get to his ego and make it even bigger. I don’t feel that it’s healthy for me to hold back but I feel unappreciated and lonely when he’s too busy being obsessed with himself. We do sometimes but heads on certain things and I know he finds me “emotionally high maintenance” sometimes but I really do feel like at times he’s cold and doesn’t seem to care. This is not always though and with his jokes, he swears they are just jokes. Any advise? Is he really a Narc or is he maybe a little immature sometimes less considerate?

During a recent vacation, I also noticed that he tends to be attracted to anyone who pets his eggo and wants to give him attention specially if they are attractive, man or women. Although he says he just loves people and he’s interested in people, I get the feeling he needs people to be interested in him. Anyone who gives him the time a day really…… Doesn’t seem like the end of the world but it was strange to realized that about him and a little scary at the same time. I thought he was quite confident but I’m not thinking he really needs to have his Eggo pet and when he gets like this, and “covers it up with his jokes of how great he is” It makes me not want to fulfill that and which in turn, makes things worst since other people will fulfill that for him instead of me. Kinda feels like a vicious cycle but I’m also just figuring this out and not sure if I’m just creating ideas in my head. I’m quite confused. I’m I exaggerating and does our relationship stand a chance. I really do love him and I can’t imagine not having him in my life. I feel extremely blessed to have him in my life, we have a great intimate life and so many good times together.

Am I just focussing on the negative? no one’s perfect and I, myself have been really hurt in the past and have shown jealousy and trust issues I believe only from my fears of getting hurt again. I realize that I am also no where near a perfect partner in this relationship.

I also tell myself, it’s better to be in an imperfect relationship then one that is perfectly fake….

Thought?

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Mitzy
February 12, 2014 at 10:43 am
If you have such doubts with evidence, ie his behavior. No, I don’t think it stands a chance as long as you have any feelings for you. Since we are taught loving is a giving gesture, oft times we forget we are supposed to get a bit back too. Sounds like he needs an accessory in human form. I don’t want to be cruel but those of us who have long standing relationships with narcs can tell you this is a “red flag” to your body and mind of uneasy, that you are trying to get permission to overlook. Most men have quite a bit of conceit and arrogance, but you need to go to a website and find a listed symptom or list of red flags of a narcs behavior and see how many are there. I wouldn’t wish such a person on anyone, as I know first hand the “moth to the flame” personality of a narc will cause you tons of pain, and totally change who you are. At the very least it is immature to constantly have to have “attention” and ego stroking. I have of course only what you say “bugs” you to go on. But many of these types the “charm” you get once really hooked, disappears real fast and then you are the one that gets the slam, if you ever put the negative on ANY thing they want to do or leave you in the dirt for . Once they find ego stroking is exhausting to you, in the degree they, narcs, need it, hon that make the whole deal over pdq


Elena
February 21, 2014 at 10:12 pm
I only have one word for you. RUN


Stephane
February 26, 2014 at 2:03 am
Hi Mitzy,

Don’t let this man ruin your life, you have to use every little bit of courage you have and do something before you burn out or lose your precious self esteem.
I am a 48 y.o. man who’s been in a relationship with a woman who I am certain is a narcissist. We’ve only been together four months and I already suffered so much from her constant putting me down and gigantic self esteem.
I still see this woman today but feeling stressed, losing sleep, debating daily whether I should leave her or not. I’ve got a feeling that the end of this relationship is near. It breaks my heart deeply just thinking about it because we’ve had (and are still having) some very good times together, much warmth and intimate passion, but her episodes of putting me down are just too hard on me. She demonstrates very little interest in me or my loved ones, never believes or trusts my opinion, only hers is valid it seems. When I put lots of effort into providing help with an issue, she rudely criticizes it. I simply feel like everything I say, all I do, all I own, all my friends…have no value for her. On the other hand, she has the best job, a nicer house (cause we don’t live together, thanks god!) richer friends (which she seems to pay much more importance to, because they are wealthy) etc…
I’ve been in many relationships, from 24 years to just a few months, but never have I been on such a mental roller coaster ride with a woman.
Be courageous, your health is number one! I will try to practice what I preach and put an end to this suffering before I lose my pride and damage my health.
Good luck Mitzy!


Mary
February 28, 2014 at 5:16 pm
You aren’t imagining things or being too sensitive. Get out sooner rather than later. This won’t end well for you.


Sarah
March 16, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Nadia plz take my advice (married 13 yrs to a Narc with 3 kids)RUN and as fast as you can!!!! PLZ do not make the same mistake I did and stay it will only get harder!!!


Anonymous
March 19, 2014 at 6:33 pm
Nadia, i feel I am in a similar situation. I have been dating a man for just under a year who I think may be indeed a Narcissist. I’ve known him for many years but as he is actually a rather quiet person, only just begun to recognize the weird personality traits since we have been romantically involved. We watched a movie last night that stated seven characteristics of the disease–and he had them all. I immediately put it together; it hit me like a ton of bricks. And then researched it after he left, and was truly amazed.
He has always said he is immortal, of course as a “joke,” since we have begun dating–and that he is a demigod. Thought it was cute and playful at first, until i realized how inflated his ego really was, and that he was actually to some extent, serious. He is very attractive, and I tell him that a lot. But i feel like I shouldn’t anymore, because he knows it and it is very apparent that he does. It’s great that he is confident, but he is also one of those men (and knowing his as a good friend i would have never expected this) who simply cannot tell a woman she is beautiful. In a year, he told me I looked good tonight once and upon first consummation that i was “attractive.” But in the context that it happened ONLY as result of him being “very attracted to me.” Who says that? Anyway, a few months after we started dating (something he hasn’t done in years, suspiciously) and can say he has said nothing remotely like it since. (Not that it was a great compliment to begin with) He has compliment issues.
He is extremely sensitive, and me inputting something simple into a conversation that is in no way an attack on him is taken offensively and considered a “disregard” of his own opinion. He is particularly sensitive to the word “stupid” and have been instructed not to use it in any context, even playfully or as a joke it will offend him.
He is so so so quiet, like one of the most quiet people i know. But only in small groups i have finally noticed. Alone with me, he can be sullen and say nothing but a word for hours. and thats his normal, always has been. But in a large group, he certainly craves attention, suddenly he becomes this extreme extrovert that i never get to see.
When we started dating he specifically warned me “I have trouble with emotion.” And while i believe he usually recognizes other peoples emotions, i just don’t think he cares. He can be very cold, and very distant. I think he too thinks of me as “emotionally needy” but i am just very off put by his lack of it.


Tanya
March 29, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Run as fast as you can girlfriend. My guy did the same way. Seems after that one year mark they feel safe enough for their true self to come out and it only gets worse. Been 5 years now. and I have told him to leave several times pointing out that I believe he is a narc. but he is in such denial it is getting very scary. It become a “ME” world for them and it will drive you to drink unless you you are in a good church and have a good relationship with God he will suck the life out of you. xxx’s Good Luck


Winford
May 13, 2014 at 6:07 pm
OH my god anonymous! My wife after having our first child went through a phase where she walked around going ” I am so amazing! I am soo powerful, I GAVE BIRTH TO A LIVING BEING! It is so amazing, i am so amazing. and on and on….it was a little disturbing. Not that birth of a child isn’t amazing but spouting on for lengthy periods about how godlike you are is more than a little creepy to listen to…..


Andre
May 18, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Nadia, just because a man wants his ego stroked does not make him a narcissist. You also said you enjoy 99% of the time you are with him. You also admitted witholding compliments to him, meaning you are being willful. Finally, personally having experienced narcissistic abuse from romantic partner and having since studied it extensively, yours is the rare case whereby you don’t make a convincing case that your partner is a true narcissist. How these other two women responders are urging you to “you go girl” without seriously consider your post also suggests there are others out there who dont understand true narcissism. To be blunt, you sound too ungiving to attract a true narcissist, so I would not worry about him. I would go into couples Counselling if I were you. Your relationship sounds mendable.


kim cudney
June 12, 2014 at 11:12 pm
Nadia,…I too have to say “RUN!” You are still in what we call “The Honeymoon Stage.” Your relationship will shift into something horrible and demoralizing. You won’t even recognize yourself after awhile. You will be lost. I know you feel strong love for him, but the love was based on his charming mask. They can be oh so attentive and praising. Once you are locked in, “Whammo!” It’s all about them and everything bad that happens will always be your fault. Take good care of yourself. Show yourself some love,…. and leave.


Janet
July 20, 2014 at 4:04 pm
I just read your post and felt like I just wrote it. My situation is identical to yours. I see such red flags but half of me sees a man who loves me, acknowledges some things and tries to work on them. The other half of me feels like he loves himself more and when he gets in one of these “moods” nothing gets through to him. He is emotionless and all of the things I feel we have talked about and promised are thrown out the window again. We are also so much a like also and I can’t imagine my life without him but a part of me is getting torn down inside. I am losing my trust, respect and confidence in him. His personality can switch in an instant and that’s when it becomes all about him. When he is not in one of his “moods” he is the most warm, loving, fun and giving man that I have ever known. 95% of the time he has a heart of gold, the other 5% he doesn’t have a heart and it scares me. The ego thing rules. I feel alone. I don’t feel I can talk to anyone because I know they would tell me run and I am stupid. He is not physically abusive but I feel he is emotionally abusive. I feel the inside of him is screaming to stop and I feel he is trying but I don’t know how much longer I can hang on. I just read your article and felt I needed to respond which is something I never do. How are things with you and your husband now? I see this was posted in February. Stay strong and I hope God guides us both in the right direction.


Saya
July 24, 2014 at 4:08 am
Nadia…. Having been married to what I have termed a “nice” narcissist for many years, I feel for your confusion in trying to figure out your relationship. This issue can be so so confounding. In my case, my wonderful narcissist tries so hard to be perfect and blameless (and better than anybody else) that it was just hard to line him up with the way a narcissist is traditionally defined by a set of behaviors… and narcissists are masters at hiding behind and staging behaviors to keep you confused… It just all felt so fake and cold, and I didn’t get clarity until I started to focus on the emotional hardwiring of a narcissist and how they relate (or avoid relating) to the world emotionally. So my advice, if I could go back and put myself in your shoes, would be not to focus so much on what he does (we all have narcissistic behaviors, and narcissists themselves can act normal so much of the time), but to start asking the hard questions about how you relate emotionally with this man. After a year of dating, you should have some answers (if you don’t, that is sort of an answer in itself). Do you have the emotional relationship you always dreamed of having with this man (it doesn’t have to be perfect, but you need to be able to overcome the imperfections). Can you bring your dreams, frustrations, fears, and hopes to him and feel completely accepted and supported? Does he give you the freedom to be the you you always wanted to be? Or do you find yourself walking on eggshells, and are you starting to question who you are becoming? Do you have the freedom to be yourself with him, even when that doesn’t line up with his version of you, or does he become reactive when you have your own opinion? (Remember narcissists are usually loving and complimentary when you are an extension of them… but threatened when you stop reflecting their world back to them). How does he react when you go deep, or are vulnerable? (Mine would simply get up and leave the room or change the subject and tell me I was boring.) If you can start thinking of your relationship in these terms, things may become clearer for you, because it doesn’t really depend on figuring out if he is a narcissist or not, or putting a label to it. So…. how does react when you tell him that a behavior of his is making you uncomfortable? (Owning your feelings of course, and not blaming him.) Is his concern for your feelings and for the relationship, or is he more concerned with protecting his ego? If you haven’t had this conversation, why haven’t you? I picked up a number of red flags in your post relative to this area, which is why I responded, but truly at this point its hard to tell if it is him, or if it is you, or if it is the dance the two of you are doing in your relationship as you can reinforce narcissistic tendencies in each other. In my experience, getting emotionally vulnerable and honest with him over time is a good way to test the relationship by yourself, but you may want to sit down with a good counselor or therapist and review your concerns. Little red flags in your intuition level almost never go away on their own, so pay attention to them. Every good relationship should be able to work through these issues and resolve them with or without help, and I would make a solid effort in that direction before either moving deeper with the relationship or getting out. That is the only way to know for sure what you are dealing with. Best of luck to you and your man, I hope you are able to resolve these red flags and that he moves toward you rather than away!


Kay Blank
July 25, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Nadia, I have a similar situation to Carol. It took 40 years of marriage before I finally found out, through counseling, that my husband is narcissistic. His family saw him as the hero and the perfect one. Believe me, your man has found the way to manipulate your own fragilities and emotionally, you will end up looking like the crazy, while he continues to play your emotions like a yo-yo. He will appear to all as the hero and the good guy. You will become withdrawn and terribly lonely. You will not trust yourself or anyone. It is a slow death of a personality, goals, and dreams. Get out now. Locate a qualified therapist that can help you become emotionally intelligent so you will be less likely to draw that type of a personality towards you in the future. Otherwise, you may have the tendency to go from one relationship to another, repeating the same confusing pattern. I look back now and realize that it took my life, his mother’s life, his father’s life and anyone else he could manipulate, blame, and control to make him look successful. We both agreed that I would be a stay at home mom until the kids were in school. We have a fairly large family, no regrets there. But when it came time for me to go back to school, and get an education and training with the intentions of becoming employed in a profession of choice, he sabotaged me, and would not pull his weight with helping around the house and with the children. The last straw for me was when he made hurtful and discouraging remarks towards my academic achievements. I folded. My confidence gone! I lost all my enthusiasm and ambition and didn’t understand why. My folding just fed his behavior. I turned on myself and absorbed all the blame and all the hurtful remarks. I became a recluse. Now, I am 61 going on 62 and I have health problems. We are still married. I stick up for myself, which means we have a lot of power struggles but the good news is, I don’t accept his blaming and I am better about not letting my emotions get out of control. We both are learning and trying harder to communicate and be more considerate of each other. So I have noticed improvement for about 9 months now. But, I have to be on my toes knowing that I have to stay emotionally strong/intelligent because at this age, change will be slow and minimal. They say it is never too late. I am stepping out by volunteering a couple of days a week. I am surprised that I am so uncomfortable doing this. But I know that I use to be an outgoing and a sociable person. I am taking on-line classes just to have goals and to learn more about things that I wish to learn about. But what future is there for me now? I will keep progressing because this is my responsibility and also, now I do not accept being damned if I do and damed if I don’t. Don’t wait this long.


Freckles
August 10, 2014 at 5:21 am
Yeah I had one of these. He flirted with men and women to the point that he allowed others to put me down in front of him in order to get his attention and vise versa. My self esteem was destroyed and the longer you’re with them the harder it is to get away. He was great if no one else was around but the minute any person came around I was in the back seat and completely ignored or put down. I agree with Elena….RUN !! And then build yourself back up so it doesn’t happen again.


Ella
January 20, 2015 at 7:37 pm
It is early days & they are on their best behaviour at the beginning.
What happens later on when they get rather nasty is that you continue hoping that this lovely charmer from the past will somehow reappear. Problem is that charm was an act, they are only ever interested in their own needs. I would expect teenager to say those things but not a grown up health person. Please read about codependency so you can become free one day.


Mary
February 19, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Leave.

Reply

Notanarcthankfully
July 21, 2014 at 9:50 am
@andre, you’re right. I was extremely afraid I was a narc, since my ex called me one but from what I have read from the varies sights I’ve been to, i’m not one at all. And neither is that girls boyfriend.


concerned boyfriend
February 26, 2014 at 4:48 am
I just googled a paragraph of how im treated and made to feel from my girlfriend then I found this site’s link and clicked on it, first time I’ve learned about narcissist,i think I may have found the problem, would love to exchange thoughts on this

Reply

ellie-anna
March 5, 2014 at 11:48 am
Hi concerned boyfriend:
How does your girlfriend treat you? How does she make you feel when shes around? Is she supportive? If in your opinion-its narcissistic abuse-LEAVE NOW!!!! my dad stayed with my narc mum for 30 years, married for 26 years! Three daughter’s, im the eldest. My dad put up with a lot and she was a neurotic control freak, violent and beat her kid’s and stabbed my dad on hand with a knife when he tried to leave-THATS when he should have left. Gone to work colleagues or even police to get himself out. He got diabetes type 2 and no 1 stress cancer pancreatic cancer, got 6months to live, died in 3months!! My mum fake cried when he died. Secretly she looked relieved and happy like a burden had been lifted off her. So sad! My dad wantedivorce twice but he was too weak to leave her. And probs the fear that she would ruin him, his reputation etc. Leave now my dad did not have the chance. I did, I left a ten year narc marriage. I am a single mum to four children. If I had stayed I would be dead! When your partner is a malignant narcissist/sociopath; you can never just be yourself and pursue your dreams. Its ALL and will only be about her. You don’t get a look-in!! They are cold and have no conscience!! Get out!!!! Dont think! Just plan your move,your escape.


susan
March 11, 2014 at 4:26 am
Narcs is a good word to describe these individuals, from their eyes looking at the world, all they see is themselves.


Barbara Grogan
March 17, 2014 at 2:43 pm
I just got out of a narcissistic relationship and am mourning (ha!ha!) and trying to figure out what “I” did wrong. I have always been happy within myself and comfortable with me. I need to work myself out of the funk, soon! Can you please send me the link of the paragraph you referred to. Thanks a bunch!!!


Cliff
May 4, 2014 at 8:58 am
I stumbled across Sam Vaknin by watching Corey Wayne’s video’s where Corey addresses ‘passive-aggressive’ type people. My ex fiancee is classic passive aggressive ( without knowing it ) and what astounds me is that these narcissistic people have these traits seemingly innate. Listening to Sam’s various videos hits home every time. My female narcissist partner was wrecking my health taunting me with cruel texts about pulling men in nightclubs , twisting round everything I said, and taking advantage of men ( although I am not ) 20 years older than her to worship her .She loved the power she had over us all and I pity the next victim. To retain my sanity I had to end it and in just over 18 months ( she was hinting at getting engaged after about 2 or 3 weeks, classic narcissist again , we did : all fool me ) I had gone from confident and outgoing to internally a destroyed and broken man. No more will she control me and I will never put up with this behaviour from another woman. I should have stuck to my gut feeling and ended it after the first 2 months ( she presssed the right buttons so to speak and begged me to take her back. Then a never ending cycle began : rinse-wash-repeat ). Nearly put me in a grave. Never again.


Maudie
May 16, 2014 at 4:49 pm
I was married for 20 years to a narc man. I freed myself several years ago, and then read everything I could about the illness. One shattering thing they tend to do– and what was done to me–is that a narc will pick a person who has attributes they secretly envy and want for themselves. I was intelligent, tall and very good-looking, and the way my family lived made it look as though we were rich. I was in college, I’d been abroad, was talented musically and artistically, and in general, people liked me and I had many friends. None of this mattered to me, I had low self-esteem and narc parents. I was also very naive. I didn’t think of myself as a ‘catch’. How I wish I could turn back time.

This man wished for the things I had growing up –as HE saw them. He grew up poor, 7 years older than me and a custodian. And he was small and ugly (I didn’t think so, then–I just loved him). We used to have arguments in our 30s and 40s — he would be angry because I had grown up good-looking and ‘could have any guy I wanted’! (Not true, because of my self-esteem. I didn’t date in high school). I could never understand why we’d argue about things like this, that were irrelevant to our life as it was. I ended up just feeling bad that his esteem was so low. He accused me, up to the time of our divorce, of ‘fooling him that my family was rich’, when I’d always told him that was an illusion of my father’s. He stalked me at times, because he thought I’d cheat on him. Then came the time when I turned 39, our child almost grown, my looks holding up, but I was no longer “young”. So he finished his demolition work and destroyed me, as I no longer fed his narc food anymore.

I ended up pithed, scooped out like a melon. He took all the good about me and destroyed it, turning me into a grovelling wreck while he towered over me screaming ‘you’re useless, worthless” and other great phrases. I no longer had friends. I lost most my teeth because he denied me dental care– even when I carried the insurance! And yet I was a trophy for him to show off (This is my gorgeous, talented, father-is-a novelist and art collector-wife!), and then shred. All that time, too, he had been cheating and doing really awful stuff. Of course I always felt something wasn’t right, and when I’d ask him what was up, or voice my fears, he’d turn his ultra-concerned face to me and tell me how much I meant to him, I’d saved him, made him.(that was true-I got him through college and into a very prestigious position-while I flunked out, writing his papers).

They take, then discard. I know, if he’d suddenly had a serious health problem, he’d have lured me back to take care of him–while he considered his options and thought out another plan to find lots of younger women to admire and fight over him. (he was a medium punk rock star, and that was his focus and how he ‘saw’ himself– a cool star, surrounded by what he deserved: the best).

If ever you have doubts about a partner, and they are not taken seriously. When things don’t add up. If you see flashes of extreme envy toward yourself (especially!) or others. If your achievements are not really celebrated. When the car is spoken to others as ‘his’, and’come see my new house’. If you are cut down while the other is raised up. When you wonder why this person loves, or even likes, you. I’d ask my husband, and he’d answer, staring deeply into my eyes saying “you are a good person, hon”–but that’s not who I am! When they seem to have no sense of you as a person– my husband always bought me xmas/bday gifts that were just not me! it was a running joke in our little family. They seem to have no sense of shame, and force things to go their way.When you get the feeling you’ve just been ‘had’. When there is anything hidden, like finances. When you/someone mentions a profound event, good or bad, and he one ups you, and goes on to talk of himself. Run away, as fast as you can. Your life will be strangled, your gifts and true goodness warped or lost. Your sense of direction, your moral compass, your vision of the world–skewed, smashed. When I broke with him, and he realized the family estate (such as it was) would be shared, I was physically attacked (there had been violence all through the marriage), and threatened me so badly, told me he’d told the scary people he knew and who worshiped him in the punk world that I was a narc( told police about drugs and stuff). I was scared for my life, as were my siblings. His assault landed him in court, where I had to testify while he stared me down with the most evil look. Because I ‘tpld’ on him. A 2 year restraining order, and some assault charge that carried no jail time, was put on him. He’d try to break this, calling my mother and asking if he could see me, etc, but I always got the police onto him. He stopped pursuing me. After that, I saw him only from afar, a few times, for those two years– but I always looked over my shoulder, I was afraid to go to the city where he had told people I had narced on them (turned out that was a lie, and many of those people actually liked me and felt really sorry for me!).

For two years I struggled to get some life back.He immediately moved a lover I knew nothing about into my house (and onto my dirty sheets and used towels!) when I left –I’d left the home because he SO considered the house ‘his’, I wouldn’t have been safe.

At the end of those two years, to the very date, he showed up at my work, all sentimental smiles and flowers(!) and sweetly asked me to lunch. I almost fainted. I told him no, and never to bother me. But he kept popping up, acting all nice and– I realized his narcissism could not bear to have me in the world, hating him.

These people are so dangerous. He once gloated over me, while we were divorcing, that I had been so easy to deceive (the whole thing is your fault, he said, because you were so easy to manipulate. So it’s really all your fault.) Oh, I’ve gone on enough about all that happened, but there was so much more, just incredible, incredulous stuff!

These people are killers, too. I have one friend who died suddenly, and I knew her husband was a narcissist. He sold her car and most of her stuff before the funeral (cremation) had a new girlfriend (really, a lover from his office) in the house in a month. Moved to a new state far off in 5 months. My friend had some medical problems but– no autopsy. That could have been me, or you. I really think he killed her.

I think that is a true risk with these people. Leave them alone! They can be so enchanting, charming, almost addictive–as my ex was. Watch yourself while you are with them, then when you leave them– if they are not done with you yet, and you decide to leave, they will be absolutely wounded, and a narcissist is capable of things you would not even think of. They aren’t real people, the laws don’t apply.


kara
May 31, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Maudie –

I think you covered the nearly exact version of my husband and me – with the exceptions my husband was a very good looking underachiever from a broken home – what my friends called a loser but whom I thought was capable of everything he said he wanted. the envy, the rich-wish then the destruction is classic – al part of the idealize, destroy discard cycle. and yes, there is a very strong belief they have that the law does not apply to them, and they will frequently research the law before you get involved to make sure they are protected by it and you are not, in so far as they will tailor their fraud from the begining to get what they really are after – which is not at all what they say they are. I am 61 and abandoned after 23 years – and yes, he says I was just stupid to believe him – they do not have the same values and they will leave you for dead – because you being alive is just one more proof they arent what they say they are. good luck, klh


Notanarcthankfully
July 21, 2014 at 9:52 am
Also WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE BEING SO CRUEL, Narcissistic people are by definition secretly insecure and they need help. Not be treated like they are diseased serial killers. JEEZ. Dont run from someone you are in love with, help them through it.


Ashton
February 3, 2015 at 9:31 am
I am divorced. And entered myself into therapy through an anger management program after my divorce left me feeling betrayed and unable to consider why my wife of 5 years and 2 daughters could possibly do what she did to me. I learned that I suffer from narcissistic behavior, and that I was torturing her. And a woman, even a good one can only handle so much. I have learned a great deal about myself since that time. Dedicated to staying sober and celibate I began my journey to correct my behavior. Now 10 years later, I have found myself in a wonderful relationship with the most amazing woman I have ever met. We have many differences yet we have managed to have an amazing relationship. And now with a recent promotion at a new job, we spend less and less time together and I have noticed an increase in alcohol use. We have an increasingly difficult time communicating and I am so afraid that my behavior is becoming tortuous to her. She suffers herself from depression issues and she is also divorced. She has been off her medication for more than a year. We have both agreed that we need to see a therapist. However the financial stresses of life make that a difficult choice. we both have work. My income is so tight due to child support and ex house payments. Yet I am aware of my behavior and find it difficult to constantly monitor. It is very difficult living as a narcissist. It took 15 weeks of therapy just to accept that this is a reality of myself. I really want to do this right. I do not wish to torture my mate. And find it increasingly difficult to bite my tongue and just listen. The frustration is that it seems like I am the only one that does listen. I have a very good relationship with my 2 girls, but for how long if my behavior is not corrected. I am doing my very best in finding outlets to my behavioral disorder. However working around the clock and only seeing my lady in passing through the week is challenging. I have a history in substance abuse.. In my childhood I had a wonderful family.My little sister has a wonderful husband. My mother passed away at the age of 43. My father is a pilot and flies all over the world. I am so proud to call him dad. Yet I am the black sheep. I moved out of my parents house when I was 16, married at 19, and divorced at 23. Now 32 with 13 and 11 year old daughters that live more than an hour away, I am finding myself falling back into the same patterns. all I hope from this post is to give a little insight from the mind of a struggling self aware narcissistic man.


Evan
March 23, 2014 at 12:23 am
Leave she cant love herself , so she cant love you, like you love her. Put on the big boy pants

Reply

Ian
March 27, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Hi Margaret,
If I can give you any advice after the last 9 months of being with a narcisist that I loved dearly is. ..
Leave.
I’ve just left myself. I have studied this now, spoken to many people. The the narcissist is not going to help you. You can only help yourself. I’m once divorced and have 2 children. I met a woman through friends who I feel in love with. The first real love connection since my divorce 4 years ago. This woman is one of the most attractive and intelligent women I have ever met. I would have children with her. She told me that she loved me but. ..I have never felt so alone as when I was with her. I couldnt understand how this person could say she loved me yet act in the reverse. I had to look at what she did not what she said. So always seeking the attention of men it was embarrassing. As of I was not there. I’m a big guy, Good looking, I have presence, and other men would look at me like are you with her or not, because she is giving me the come on eyes. I’ve never experienced anything like it. When it was in her interest, she would considered and loving, when we had no plans, I could get no attention from her. It was that obvious and she didn’t even consciously k know she was doing it. Bizarre. For my own sanity I had to leave. Constantly on Facebook posting photos and looking for attention. Rated how well get life was going by the number of likes. In the end I found her on to website that sought financial arrangements for love. She blamed me that I was not giving her enough attention. My daughters could not understand why a grown up would behave the way she did. In the end my eldest daughter would joke. .. So let’s talk about me.
It’s the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Walk away from someone who in done ways was so beautiful but in others so ugly and hurtful. She will not change. She will continue to hurry the next man and the next and the next. Confirmation for me was that the day we broke up, she went out that night and smeared herself all over Facebook with another man and disgusting comments of what they may have got up to. I did not see them and the next night she claimed she was ill and she asked me to come over and stay the night so she had company. I agreed and she got up in the morning and left and I haven’t seen her since. 2 days later I saw facebook and the her photos with the other man. She had no words but just blame.
Very sad. Broke my heart. But do much for the best. It hurts today still at the moment. But I don’t have that feeling of loneliness while being with her. She was mentally ill. I deserve to be happy as well. You must leave and find happiness.

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John
April 1, 2014 at 9:10 pm
I was married to a Narc who was 15 years younger than me. I met her when I was 48. She was very attractive and following a whirl wind romance, we got married six months after we met. This was crazy behaviour but I had fallen completely in love with her and she told me that she loved me also. It took me about 2 months to realise that things were not right. Her behaviour was really odd – always seeking the limelight and on a high one moment and crying with despair the next. She was manipulative and Had a massive sense of her own self importance. She would threaten me with divorce if I didn’t comply with demands. We had three beautiful daughters who are the love of my life. I provided my wife with everything that she wanted but in the end we split in very acrimonious circumstance and I have not spoken to her for 5 years. Looking back the thing that I find hardest to accept is that there are still things that I didn’t believe people were capable of. I was incredibly naive and couldn’t read things correctly. I was completely outclassed in deception and it is with some regret that I know it will never happen again. My life was nearly destroyed by this narcisicist but I managed to break free and I can now look ahead with a degree of confidence about my future.


Michelle
July 19, 2014 at 2:25 am
Hi Ian,
i don’t know too much about Narcissism but have been researching about it recently. I think i may have just been in a relationship with one. Like you, i really do care for this person but i am completely heartbroken and don’t really know what to think. I would like to talk to someone who knows more about this because i have never experienced anything like it until now. i feel that i may now have mental issues just from being with this person.


Notanarcthankfully
July 21, 2014 at 9:54 am
I dont think that’s a narc, i think thats a woman not in love and looking for an attractive guy to take care of her…


Paul
August 10, 2014 at 12:55 am
Hello, I’m in a similar relationship. Not really, this isn’t a relationship at all. My girlfriend went out to run an errand on July 22nd and just now messaged me, she only wants her clothes back. Nothing more said. If Narcs have little to no attachment to people and basically suck the juice out of them to power their own batteries, I’m not going to worry about being nice and returning what she abandoned. Is this at all a good idea, or will this just give her another reason to keep jumping into my life as pleases? I am planning on leaving the state any day now, I need distance and reduced access to lick my wounds.


James
June 30, 2014 at 12:26 am
I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I too am “married” to a narcissistic “woman” who is the textbook definition of the word. Forgive me but to you and everyone “married” to this type of person, pray for them and ask Almighty GOD to heal them as St. Rita of Cascia endured years of abuse. I will keep you in my prayers and remember, none of this will matter in 100 years time! :-)

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BigD
July 21, 2014 at 1:18 pm
Leave

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Danica Gale
September 18, 2014 at 12:46 am
In short: Get out!! Read up on narcissism. If you want to see what happens if you’re “nice” and stay, PLEASE read my blog! http://torn-whybatteredwomenstay.com I was once in your position. I started my blog to help people like you NOT have to go through what I did!!! Run!!!

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dee
October 2, 2014 at 1:00 am
I cant believe what I am reading this sounds like my life I am so overwhelmed and don’t know what to do


Stan
January 2, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Margaret, leave the relationship. The sooner the better. A quote I came across that hit home for me is something like, ‘getting back with a narcissist is like giving them another bullet to shoot you with.’ I know from my own experience that it is very tempting, the excitement, the love making, the sweet words. But it is not real, or healthy by any means.

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Althia
January 13, 2015 at 6:33 am
Please get “OUT” while you can…im so thankful that I stumbled up on this article and letters!!!! I have been going through this for 16 years never married and always tried to fixed the problem. I’m so done!!!! Even though its hard!!! I have to do it for my son…all the best!

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Ella
January 20, 2015 at 7:24 pm
It would be helpful to learn why you ended up in such relationship, to understand your own issues. This knowledge will be helpful in your healing. There is plenty of info on internet.
Get yourself in a good place & hopefully you can end up with a healthy person.

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Nicole
February 9, 2014 at 4:56 pm
I’m almost positive I’m the narcissist in my marriage. But I ted to over analyze details to be able to apply them. Can someone please help me identify my personal behaviors. I find the description to vague , great deal possible the denial side is in high gear here

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Mary
February 19, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I married a narcissist after dating him off/on 6 yrs. I also dated one before him. I fade easily into the background and I’m ok with that ~ to a limit.

I just wanted to say…. if you are being over analytical, you are NOT
a narcissist. They don’t have the capacity to look inside themselves. There is nothing there. It’s all flash and image.. They are empty inside and incapable of any depth – so it’s impossible to be a narcissist and overanalyze. It just doesn’t happen.

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m
May 18, 2014 at 7:54 pm
See if you can get into therapy with someone good. If you were raised by narcissistic parents (who were themselves raised by at least one narcissistic parent *sigh*) you may have some tendencies.

Then you have the awareness to try to keep them in check.

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Danica Gale
September 18, 2014 at 12:48 am
Go to Youtube and watch Sam Vaknin’s videos. :) Best of luck!!

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DudeGone
November 25, 2014 at 3:24 am
Nicole, your post was a long time ago but for anyone wondering if you yourself are a narcissist just take this survey. It’ll tell you. http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/narcissistic.htm

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Dee
February 14, 2014 at 4:38 pm
Hi Jeff & Lee,

I can totally empathise with your experiences and I believe the comment about taking responsibility is very accurate. I too have experienced narc relationships. My father is narc and very adept at making you feel responsible. I played this role for many years as did my mother. When I challenged it I was cut off ignored. My siblings have spent too long with my father and have adopted the same patterns, so I have withdrawn, which has been my saving grace. Be assured your ex will look for someone she can control as thats her modus operandi, yours has been the rescuer cos thats been yours. however you now have knowledge to change and change will only occur when you acknowledge the pattern and are able to take a different path. All the best for a happy future.

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Alicia
August 8, 2014 at 4:10 am
Dee, i have a question for you, since your father is a narc like you posted in your post, I have a friend that his mother seems to be one, and is very upset with me, and tells everyone that our relationship is not approved of by her, because its unhealthy. The only unhealthy part is when she is continuously yelling and screaming at one or both of us. we are both well old enough to be adults, and yet she wont let any female get to him, and if it happens like me and him, she will try everything to tear them apart, she has basically tore us apart, because she has threaten him things that should never even be thought of, but yet he doesn’t understand why I am still wanting him in my life. He is a very very kind person, but he has this person, that will track him down, if he is not where he said he was going to be, or if he said something positive about me, she would come over and raise hell, I am not sure if i should continue to wait for him, or just let him go, my heart says to wait, but my head says to give up. I am having a very hard time with this because of how close we have got, and all of a sudden one day he is not around anymore, and after every fight that his mom has put towards me and him, he has continued to tell me its not my fault, and to stay positive, and take care of myself, but yet I am worried sick about him, and his children, because I know way to much, that everyone in his family is denying the fact that I am right and she is wrong. Can you please help me?

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 6:56 pm
Jeff, go to this website — http://www.melanietoniaevans.com — read all the free info and then share it plus what you’ve learned about yourself to Ms. Right.

Short version of why you are drawn back: you haven’t fully accepted that your narc ex is not normal and will never live up to your expectations of normal behaviour.

When you do–all will be well with Ms. Right  :-)

Good luck!

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Sharon
January 3, 2014 at 9:08 pm
Hello – I wanted to add to the above note. The website mentioned above has been tremendously helpful in giving me the knowledge and strength to leave the abusive narssistic man I have been involved with for almost 10 years. Anyone needing help and answers to the “whys” will find it on Melanie’s website.

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charlene flournoy
January 24, 2014 at 5:42 am
I’m just realizing thatI am married to a narcissist man. He is always right never wrong. I amnoticing that I get more appapprobation when I’m doing for him and his son. My needs have never been met. He changed and started following a African religion, turned into a vegan, anything I say have no meaning since he changed. He gets a rise out of defending the mother of his son, and talking to other women on facebook saying he can do what he wants. If I mention the women or his ex he protects them by making me feel like they are better than me. He may be pushing me away, because everything we had in common when we were married has gone. He stays on facebook morning to night, and does not have any kind of real conversation or communication with me. He called me crazy and said I need help and told his friends that two dead batteries can’t make a car run. Then he told one of those facebook females that he blocked me from his page, so she could continue stimulating his intellect. All in all, I live here with him and I have never felt so alone. I don’t know who he is and I want to go, funny thing my 9; anniversary is next month. I want nothing from him.

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Bertie
January 31, 2014 at 9:22 pm
OMG,Charlene…. I could have written exactly what you wrote! I just broke it off with a man who did almost EXACTLY the same thing… starting with how he gets a rise out of defending an ex… and talking to other women on facebook saying he can do what he wants…. making me feel incompetent and crazy (“you need medication!” he would tell me… “you’re just a jealous, childish woman!” And I know all about those facebook females… they’re not stimulating his intellect, they’re stimulating his big, fat, ego! I am rid of him!!! It does not change!!!


TjDavis
February 10, 2014 at 7:51 pm
It does not change. I was in for almost 30 years the first time (married/divorced) and in a relationship for a couple now. My spirit of fear, doubt, insecurities and judgement of others attracted this type of individual. I was the perfect supply. When I began to love myself fully I was no longer fearful of the disrespect. The belittlement came stronger because they had to get me back to where I was. I no longer cared about the conversations with other women because I realized they weren’t gaining I was. My eyes opened to see that this was manipulation and control because they had issues of their own that they didn’t anyone to see. If you think on it…you probably know nothing about them personally other than how everyone disprespects them. They fall apart with any input that questions their knowledge. Just believe me…until they are tired of changing partners and running from the truth, they will not change.


Rod
February 21, 2014 at 4:13 am
I’m responding to all the posts I’ve read here. I was married for 14 years to an NPD. The reason Jeff went back, the reason people feel like helping NPDs is called codependency. Go to Amazon and you’ll find great books on this subject of NPDs. You need to understand exactly why each of you has gotten into these relationships. You all had an agenda… maybe it was to fill a void in your own lives. Dig deep, uncomfortably deep within yourself and the answers are there. Read books on the topic and you’ll understand. Also look up co-morbidity definition. My ex was not only NPD, but HPD and passive aggressive. Wish you all luck, your answers are there, I promise you.

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tracy
February 22, 2014 at 10:59 am
Yea I realize melvin g. Is not worth it. He is a cheater n big liar. Sometimes u just have to walk away from people like that. I know I will find true love.

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trapped
February 23, 2014 at 8:40 pm
I have been in a relationship like this for 16yrs. i too left after but returned because he took my children and convinced them I was a bad mother. I have little strength to fight this person it seems i just have to wait until he decides he no longer requires me and lets me go. :(

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Ian
March 27, 2014 at 9:47 pm
Yes thank you to this website for making me aware. I actually was searching for answers thinking I was going insane. Whenever I am feeling sad about my decision of leaving this person I simply read this and it brings back all the terrible memories of why I had to leave. Thank you so much.

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Dani
January 13, 2014 at 1:18 am
Hi, I just broke up (for 3rd time) with my partner of a yr and a half, never really knew what a narcissist was until I started googling however I believe this may be him, I read some stories and think no he isn’t that bad however he did say the right things at right time, was very insecure and often reacted to criticism very bad! He didn’t stop me seeing friends or anything tho, I’m really confused about the whole thing, I just know that I spent the relationship a bit on eggshells and was stressed out a lot!?? I am missing him terribly but kno he won’t change

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Miss Winks
January 19, 2014 at 5:36 am
The father of my kid is a total narcissist. But I’m torn, because I genuinely do love him. I see the good in him too but he is very mean to me. He is constantly putting me down about my appearance, my intelligence my past everything you can imagine. I get ripped to shreds every day here about something and am relentlessly maligned for every slight misstep or just for not doing things exactly his way at all times. He has zero concern for the emotional pain he causes me, the tears or the anguish in my face has never had any impact on him. It’s like he’s scarred and so emotionally guarded and unresponsive (other than being able to display rage) that he literally cannot feel even if he tried, any empathy or sympathy for me. He never fails to remind me of how imperfect I am and how little I fit his desired image as his child’s mother. Sad, sad and more sad. I know this behavior from him to me is mostly projections from his own inner feelings of worthlessness, he’s just trying to drag me down with him. I’m not falling for it but I’m really tired of it I just don’t want to battle him over custody, because I know he will try to screw me as royally as he can :/.

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Jorge
January 22, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Hi all,
I think i’m a narcissist, miss wink I am very sorry you’ve gone through this, it makes me sad becuase i can see how I treat my wife the same way, its like putting a mirror in my face, i’m so afraid to being wrong, being naive that its my way or no way because I’d rather be safe, ( even when i’m wrong in controling the situation) (her), I have this huge need deep within just to let her be, but its just so hard for me, i get to that point then the fear just takes control and i step back. I want her to be happy, but i’m afraid of just letting her be, i try to control everything and fight so hard to make things happen my way, I realized that i only show care for her when she is complying with my ways, we have a daughter and i think she is learing to be like me as well through my actions, I know i’m talking about my self but in no way am i feeling sorry for me, i just dont want to hurt my wife anymore and I just dont want to feel fear anymore. I just want to let her be, who she is, who I fell in love with, and i am so afraid i’ll loose her if i give up my control. thank you for sharing your story.


Kelly
January 27, 2014 at 12:38 am
its not easy being put down it hurts like hell and I’d be lying if I said otherwise.
I have a seven and a six year old, a girl and boy, they are witness to his put downs and also are following his suit at times.
I personally used to be quiet about it, , and hide in my shell until he was nice guy again, I tried the calm friendly approach to his “bad moods” that only made him worse and physically abusive.
I cant challenge his behaviours at all. His take on it is,, “put up or shut up”. Its not easy trying to maintain a healthy relationship with his parents and brother sister nieces nephews I need to talk about this and he doesn’t think theres any valid point.
my man works away in a minesite which is the best part of 5 hours flying to get there, he works for three weeks and is home for five and a half days. the first thing he complained about when he got home this time was my Tupperware drawer being messy, as pathetic as it appears its the truth. he told me not to smile last night, it was a national celebratory day yesterday.
My family live 15000 klms away, I cant tell them. if I did tell my family and they were here the men would have it sorted in a heartbeat.
you know, im either too skinny or too fat, he doesn’t like not one messy drawer in the house yet he drops his clothes where he feels, he actually has a swinging brick for a heart and when he sees something upsetting for females elsewhere he will jump in and be the knight, yet im a Scottish Twat everything is my fault im a crap mummy I don’t know how to keep a house and im stupid
im done in with it and I still love him like I did in the beginning,
hes a fantastic dad and his kids cant get enough of him when hes home its lovely to see
If anything happens to him to cause pain hurt or anything, I am there, helping him through. yet, this, when he sees me clearly hurting from the copious taunting getting to the point where I retract myself, he blames me for being over sensitive and over imaginative////
even on the phone when hes at work, nobody likes you, ive no friends because of you, its no wonder my mum hates you so on so on
look, this isn’t an everyday occurance, its fairly periodical, I definitely would say he has his time of the month on a weekly basis, however, its cuts me to the bone,as thick skinned as anyone would appear to be, it definitely takes its toll and id like to see him get better. just maybe one day I wont be there anymore due to the sheer stress and he will no doubt find another victim as sad as it is, we allow ourselves to become victimised for fear of everything caving in,


Broken
February 2, 2014 at 6:43 am
I am in the same boat. Sadly no one REALLY believes me . My husband is very careful of how he speaks to me in public with most people. He will shoot me down in front of his mother and others in his family. But not in cocles where his psuedo personality is more familiar to other people. He is vicious to me. Completely not anle to see how he is hurting me and we have three children. They are young and as much as they have seen their dads outbursts, they really don’t understand. How could they? If I left I would be blamed as the one who broke up the family and he would definitly foster that belief into them. He would also screw mw royaly Im sure of it. Heafter 15 years of marriage he still refuses to put my name on our house. When we went for our closing something happened where we had to put just his name to close the deal. He said don’t worry well add you after we get the house. And any time i ask he says. Im not paying someone ti add your name. I don’t live in a common law state so If anything happened to me I wouldn’t own my house. I can’t have anything I want for my kids with “our” money. A pool, a finished basement…. Nothing it’s always only in his control. The worst part for me is the psycological abuse and torment. He twists everything that I say and Always has to have center stage. Im never hearing him according to him , yet he NEVER lets me say anything without cutting me off, correcting me, getting angry. He always has to be right and then twists it that hes not that way. He plays himself different in front of other people saying nice things about me as though he has admiration for me. It is sickening. One time I was in agonizing pain having chest pains crying for help and he didn’t budge as my children were sleeping on the mext room. I was interrupti g his sleep. I had to have my mom come bring me to the hospital. He stayed home sleeping. It was gas) but I had never know a chest pain so bad and Im a 48 year old woman with three children who depend on me . I coukdn’t be sure what was happening to me and I was really scared. Another time I had a scary test for a lung xray. I was so freaked out and scared he acted like there was something wrong with me and ignored me. I am so heart broken and lost, scared, beaten down by him and don’t know what to do anymore . We had two sets of pastors and several therapists tried to help. Futile, hes a good performer. The last councelor saw right through his bullshit and called him out on some stuff. He never wants to ho back to him. Says its a waste of time. Im up at 2:00 am answring your post. That might tell yiu alot about how much pain I am in.


Amanda
February 3, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Dear Kelly,

Get out, get out, get out!! I did it – same situation as yours. Don’t let your fears allow you to govern your life. You will be strong enough to fight and gain custody, should this issue arise. All the very best – it can be done. Took me years and years – but I am free. xx


LostSoul
February 4, 2014 at 4:38 pm
This in hopes that Jorge will reply. His is the only post I have seen from an admitted Narc.
Jorge, I am curious as to when and how you realized you had NPD and how it made you feel. What your thoughts and actions were and whether you have come to terms with it.


Neena
February 8, 2014 at 11:12 pm
This sounds like I couldhave wrotethis almost word for word. My husband and I have been Married 11 years and I feel so so alone. He will do evervything in his power not to spend Quality timewithme or evenhave sex withme. I dontknow what else to do. Inever linked it to narciccissitc before but maybe ontosomething.


Sad Eyes
February 14, 2014 at 12:01 am
I just want to say that I have experienced so much of what is being discussed here. I especially want to say to Broken that I feel her pain. My N husband passed away a few months ago. Not only was he extremely verbally abusive at times, he had a drug problem that he tried to keep hidden. I could never understand why I was so bad for the little annoying things I might’ve done like ask questions during conversation. He could blow up at the least little thing and make a terrible scene, but he also was so lovable in the family and at church. I didn’t want to talk him down to our church friends. Now he’s gone and I miss him terribly, but I’m conflicted over the loss because of the things I don’t have to deal with anymore. I think I’m grieving the loss of what we couldn’t have, because I loved this man. The relationship suffered and my love for him grew cold because I have never even heard anyone say some of the crushing things he said to me. As a Christian, I tried to forgive him as Christ has forgiven me, and at times, I do believe he was truly sorry but it was never going to stop completely. He fought the rage, but his diabetes and total dependence on pain medications and all made it very difficult. I’ve lost all confidence in myself at 55 because I knew he was on borrowed time but there was nothing I could do to make him change. He pointed out my weaknesses in the meanest ways, I can’t get beyond it. We did enjoy some things together and he did a lot of handiwork and woodworking around the house, maybe to make up for the bad stuff. I don’t know. They were 8 1/2 years and either very good or very bad. He was very talented on the guitar and creating his own songs and he won my heart so quickly.

If you have much invested in the relationship and especially for your children maybe find a way to endure and pray for God to give you strength and peace. And pray that God will change his heart. He really will hear your prayers and answer. Go to Him in prayer when you need to escape. Go for a walk, take a drive, take the kids to visit the grandparents. I raised my kids in a 20 year marriage that was very lonely. He neglected his family so much and wouldn’t discuss it at all. So I know the pain you feel Broken. I could not take a risk of him trying to take the kids so I stayed until they were old enough to decide for themselves. My heart goes out to you and I wish I could help in some way. Trust God and He will be with you and show you the way.


BKR
February 1, 2014 at 2:05 am
Dani,
I know exactly what you mean. At first i read this article thinking that maybe i am somewhat of a narcissist, but i don’t have to be right or anything like that, but i do think when i was younger, with guys who were a little weaker than me, i was condescending. I know i had a mother who is very narcissist and very insecure. I, however, do not believe i am insecure. Where, i am going with this is, my one and only just broke up with me today. There were numerous times in the relationship that he told me that he is more right than ever wrong. I know i also never doubted the relationship until he started telling me all the things that i was doing that wasn’t up to his expectations. Instead of telling me exactly what he meant, he didn’t want to give examples or anything. I couldn’t do anything good enough. i have good self esteem about myself. BUt now i feel like i am inadequate and not worthy of the very one person that meant the most to me and i felt that i could learn a lot from him. He did think about things and how it would effect me from time to time and worked to change those things. I just am no longer happy and felt like i was always walking on egg shells around him too. I couldn’t say the right words or statements or questions without them being taken wrong or anything. Then it turned into a situation where is tried breaking up with me several times only to take it back the next morning or get me to make the decision for him. Then he tells me things in the same conversation only to say he never said that all in the same conversation. Everything i say is an argument to him. He tells me i wanted everything my way, but i really think i wanted it him to meet me in the middle. I also know, whenever he asked me to make decisions, i would make the decision and then he would say “well why did you pick this, why not over there or there?” I was questioned on everything. I know what you mean about being on egg shells. I know i also had fault in the relationship on things that maybe i didn’t catch onto on how to treat him correctly in some areas because i didn’t understand what he meant. I take full responsibility for that. In the beginning i knew i how to handle him. Then when i learned more and more about him and everything became harder and it was like no matter which way i stepped, i was never good enough. Plus all the assumptions he had about me in the beginning only goes to show you he wanted to be right so bad. In the end, i am sure i have some narcissist ways as well. I work on those things already, because i know what they are especially when you come from the only woman role model in your life who showed you how to do things the wrong way instead of right. I chose to take that as a positive and make better choices. It has done wonders for me since growing up. I guess i never felt so insecure until i met this guy and got to know him further. He is not a bad person, he just thinks he is God. I never got confused about things until i could no longer get things right, ever. It felt like a game to me. He said everything i did was a game to him. I don’t know. I am a woman. I handle my emotions the best i can, but when there’s a finger pointed at me all the time, i get tired of being a strong person. I have a want for higher learning and purpose in life. I work hard to get there. I am not there yet, but i will be. I will remember this instance to know that i will work hard to not step on people in the future because of what it feels like. In situations like these, i cannot say it is all him or all me. But from what he said, it seems like it’s all me.

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Andi
February 19, 2014 at 12:12 am
I too learned what they are after a very painful and confusing experience with one. The worst is that my father was one for sure, and even though I always tried to chose men very different from him I still managed to fall for one. They can be very charming and draw you in and make you feel very special and important to them. But they do this in order to extract Narcissistic Supply -ie rub their ego all the time. It is hard to get away from them because they have a “politician” ability to appear sincere and caring. There is a condition related to Narcissism called Avoidant Attachement. It’s worth looking into if you find yourself having trouble breaking away from one.

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Kara
June 1, 2014 at 8:48 am
Thank you!!


edward
January 14, 2014 at 11:22 pm
dude…i hear ya…my N girl destroyed my self esteem and confidence…little by little she picked away at me…and i kept going back…i couldn’t understand it…i was so convinced that we were made for each other since she mirrored everything in my life of interest…i finally managed to break away but i will say i have never been so hurt and depressed over a relationship…and to make matters worse…these people just don’t care…

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Scott
January 17, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Jeff/Edward, this is exactly what I just/am going through and you are spot on in your comments. They don’t care who they hurt as long as they get what they want…….. and you can’t explain why you keep wanting to go back or are drawn to that person.
It is beyond frustrating.

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Helena chase
April 29, 2014 at 11:17 am
I have a tendancy to make N friends. I realize that they are extremely good at attracting people into their social circle probably because their needs include constant attention. My neighbor invited me over the other night and didn’t say hello when I came in nor goodbye when I left. I looked around the room and all the guests were nice people who would probably be too shy to have a group of people over themselves and were happy to be out for the evening. Without N friends I sit around the house and make posts like this. I am trying to make at least one thing happen for myself each day that does not feed an N person. I realize I have almost no balanced relationships and am scared of them due to low self – esteem. I believe practicing in small ways will help to form more balanced long term friendships and relationships. I would encourage others like me to do the same . Maybe then narcissists won’t be running the show all the time. I noticed that my neighbor is jealous and rude to her guests if they out shine her or don’t give her enough praise !

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Bertie
January 31, 2014 at 9:48 pm
I know!! It makes not a bit of sense!!! You keep going back for more and more, inexplicably!!! Having just PAINFULLY removed an extremely N man from my life.. I will tell you why I believe it is so hurtful to us why they do not care…. It is because WE are the normal ones with feelings and empathy and THEY do not have the ABILITY to care and that is UNFATHOMABLE to us!! It is just not part of who they are and they will never, EVER change!!! No matter how many times we explain ourselves, or pour out our hearts TO DEATH, and even try to put things in as simple as terms possible, it is as if we are speaking an entirely different language! I cannot tell you how many times I felt that if I just said the right thing, the right way, I’d finally hit that nerve and get through to him but I finally realized that would never happen! And it is sad, so sad, because it sucks the life out of you the more you fight it. And they criticize you and take no responsibility for their actions, all the while turning it right around on you…it’s always YOUR fault, if you weren’t so “this” then we wouldn’t have these problems, etc…. and you’re sitting there actually questioning yourself and wondering how the conversation got turned around to where YOU are on the defensive. It is a battle that cannot be won. The pain comes from not understanding why you are made to constantly feel wrong by the N. The pain will subside once your break the pattern of returning for more heartbreak. Believe me, I was and am there. Nothing will heal you except time. You need to let go of trying to understand why they behave the way they do, because the answer is that they are narcissists.

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zuritadas
February 4, 2014 at 6:55 am
Hi Bertie, thank you so much for your post, you explained what I am feeling so well!
I’ve been married for 13 years. We have two boys, 11 and 6. I came to live in my husband country on the other side of the globe leaving everything behind, I have been here for 8 years now. Its been VERY lonely I have learned the language and I have adapted and let go of the need to go back to live in my country (Mom, Dad, Brothers sisters, cousin, grandparents, everyone is there). He never showed empathy for my sadness, Its been very hard for me but somewhat I got used to it, I never talk about my country or my family, it is just something I have make myself somewhat forget. I decided about 6 moths ago I was going to make this marriage happier and that I was going to be happy so I could make my family happy. So I been trying to be a better wife and mother, I have been focusing on my family like never before, I have been much calmer and understanding with my husband and I have definitely been trying to give him all the love I use to keep inside out of resentfulness for his lack of empathy. Two weeks ago I found out he is having an affair with a married woman at work. I spend one week trying to pick up my pieces to have the strength to confront him so I did, he was calm and told me, yes it is truth, so what? what did you expected me to do with the way you are, you never smile, anytime I talk to you you bark like a dog, etc. I Realized none of our properties are on my name so I told him that I needed him to put the apt where we live on my name so he responded, You don’t deserve it! he continued that I didn’t deserve anything because of the way I am, the way I “behave” I asked to give me an example of such behaviors and he could not come up with one. For him every argument is a competition. Anyway, I am in the middle of this mess now and very afraid to loose him, since I can see that the texting with that woman is still going on and he is at work right now. I will keep reading post after post until I can find the strenth I need, so far reading all of your words is the only thing that keeps me balanced. Thank you all.

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Jay
February 11, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Spot on! I’ve been married for 15 years and now it’s over. I try so carefully to address this topic with my wife. Trying to get her to understand and empathize with me. Trying to get her to speak with someone, because her judgement is compromised when it comes to the kids. She’d be introducing them to all her new boyfriends, if I wasn’t around. But she always becomes defensive, then turns the conversation around to me, blaming me. And when discussing her activities she feels totally justified. No remorse, no guilt, no shame, no sorrow! It’s unfathomable!

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Neto Sosa
February 25, 2014 at 4:40 am
This is such a great response. Narcissists typically target sensitive caring people. People go back because they are trying to find the mask the narc wore when they first met them. The mask seemed so real. It must be in there somewhere inside the head of the narcissist. I’ve felt a great urge to find this mask the narcissist used when she met me and talk to it again. Find it and tell it there is this other evil sick human being inside their bodies and that I want to help the mask figure out how to conquer it. All in the hopes that the mask will finally be the one in charge and the sick twisted empathy-challenged selfish other will be relegated to a dark recess of their mind. I’ll have the beautiful, caring, sweet, gentle, and kind friend back.

Losing out on a narcissistic relationship is like having your significant other die. You want to mourn this beautiful person because they are gone. But then you see their doppelganger walking around and talking to people and getting in cars and you want to scream “HEY!!! it’s you!! The person I loved who loved me back so dearly!” But you stop yourself. Because it’s not them. It’s just the narc wearing the mask again for other people.

How can you mourn your lover when you see them every day? If you are not an ex of a narc you won’t get it. Imagine knowing your mother, or sibling died. It sucks. But then you see your mother or sibling at the mall and you are elated and want to run and hug them but then they scoff at you and treat you like shit and tell everyone around them that you are not their son or daughter.

what happens then when your mother changes her mind and says “oh no wait…I remember you. I’m not dead. You are my daughter. I love you!” It is not easy. Narcissists are extremely destructive because of this. The mask they use is perfect. It is exactly what you want and need. You fall in love, and the mask pretends to fall in love with you. YOU LOVE YOUR PARTNER. REAL LOVE. But the mask can’t love you back. And one day you wake up and it’s gone. In its place is this other thing that is clearly not your partner. I’m 9 months out of a narc relationship and I still see her daily. I see her using this masks on new supplies. It is one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had. Would I really turn it down if the mask ever comes back to talk to me? Would you?

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shatteredheart
March 10, 2014 at 6:55 am
Neto Sosa,
Reading your post made tears come to my eyes the way you explained it is EXACTLY how I feel!! In the relationship I was in with my exN, he was my best friend, he loved me in a way I had never dreamed anyone would. We had future plans and did things together all the time. He told everyone that he was going to marry me, even took me to look at rings. Then 3 weeks ago, the day after Valentines day, we were spending the wekend together. I had a cold and wasn’t feeling great but I was hanging in there. Out of the blue he just started criticizing me, speaking to me in a way I had never seen from him EVER. I started to cry and he got more and more angry… eventually turning very abusive just short of physical. I had taken cold medication and something to help me calm down from the panic attack I had while he was raging at me. (The more I cried the angrier he got.) He actually pushed me out of his house in my nightgown , it was after midnight, there was a foot of snow on the ground and the roads were very icy. He tossed my keys out the door at me and the closed the door and looked at me through blinds.( I had been sick for 3 days already and he knew I wasn’t in any condition to drive) I was so hurt and devastated that I couldn’t function. I was in complete and utter shock, WHERE had this mean hateful man come from and WHERE WAS MY kind and loving friend, who promised to always be good to me? Somehow I drove home and didn’t leave the bed for 3 days. He didn’t call for 2 days and when he did it was very short and brief, but said he just need time to take care of some important things at work but that we would talk soon about what had happened….. That talk never happened… instead I found him with an EX of his, that he had badmouthed to the extreme. To this day he won’t talk to me about anything, it’s as if he never knew me. I was crushed, but once I found out about the other woman I felt more anger than sadness because beforeI knew about the other woman, he tried to place all the blame on me for what happened, and I was agonizing over what I had done wrong. Going over and over it in my head. 2 days ago I saw him and he said he would call me next week… I asked if he were seeing the other woman… he said absolutely NOT. Later, that night i called his cell and SHE answered. Another kick to the face!! I was furious, what a coward! I told him and her what i thought of them and I’m done with him. HOWEVER, the example You gave, of the person u loved wearing the mask… that is how I feel. I’m disgusted and angry at him, the man I see now, the one who looks at me like he doesn’t know me.BUT I Grieve constantly for the love and my best friend that disappeared over night. He has hurt me deeper than I believe I have ever hurt.I trusted him and had so much admiration and respect for the man I thought he was… I find myself wanting to call or go visit the man I loved with all my heart & that man doesn’t exist. I have to find a way for my heart to accept what my mind knows. I cry everyday for the loss of what I love so dearly. This man could not care less about the horrific pain he has caused. He isn’t bothered in the least, already found his supply and hasn’t felt an ounce of remorse or sadness. I asked him if he loved me and he says, “Yes I love you but it doesn’t make a difference.” Whatever that means… to me , if he loved me IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Hope I can stay strong and resist if that mask ever comes back to talk to me.


David
April 27, 2014 at 5:03 pm
This is a great posting. I hope you are getting over it all. Let me share my recent experience.

My girlfriend informed me yesterday (by BB) that our 1 yr relationship was over The reason being that I did not agree to rent a car for her – I did not agree because she does not have a full licence nor insurance yet she wanted me to rent it in my name whatever the consequences for me.

Given the dangerous and illegal circumstances I said no. And for daring to say no I was dumped.

She then put a whole tirade of messages on a her personal Blackberry Messenger (BB) that she loved getting her own way (” I love being stubborn and getting my own way love me or leave me, bcuz its ur choice, I don’t care”!) and other messages – that she didn’t like wimps (apparently Im a wimp now!), she liked bad boys; liked her men ‘hot and spicy’(that’s what she once said she like about me!) , that these old fashioned men were useless (i.e. me well I wasn’t before!) and other messages.

I’ve done a lot of reading today because I could not quite understand that more and more recently there was nothing I could do for her that was ever enough. And I found the car-rental response form her a bit extreme!

I am 46 with a good career, professional, own business, academic-practitioner, nice house, big dreams, two lovely well-balanced girls from my marriage. She is 29, single mother with three children, and lots of courage, grit, determination to improve her life.

We met when my marriage was coming to an end and I was going through the divorce – we knew each other for several months, we would bb each other and then we had a lovely date and she said, ‘I told my friend I would hook you and I did. And now I’m not going to let you go.’ I was smitten and felt I had found a loving caring, gorgeous partner to rebuild my life with. She was so supportive of me, proud of my career, took a lot of interest in what I did, my children etc.

I was not even that concerned when she told me to BB her all the time to let her know where I was, what I was doing, when I got home safe etc. I found it endearing that she seemed to care so much. We would BB each other all the time. We would talk all the time too – it was all very obsessive. Perhaps too obsessive.

I found it a little bit odd/annoying that I was never allowed in her house for the first six months of our relationship and that I had to ring her from outside the house to let her know I was there and then had to wait..and…wait..and wait in the car for her to come out. I got frustrated that we would agree to meet and then it would not quite happen, or she would be late But I put this down to her culture and would make excuses for her.

She made it clear that whilst there was no rush, she wanted me to put a ring on her finger (with a bigger diamond then the one I had given my first wife) that she wanted us to get married in Jamaica, have a house together with her kids, have a baby before she was35, set up a business together and so on. She wanted to meet my parents (when she was ready) but sometimes got annoyed when I would spend time with my children to the point of jealousy.

More recently she had cosmetic surgery again – she is a size 10 anyway but insisted on spending her money on liposuction etc. I even went to the hospital to look after her and care for her. She was pleased I was there she was in so much pain.

As beautiful as she was in my eyes she insisted she had to do all this to make her feel better. Its taken her a few months to get herself back to feeling normal and recover and during that time I would see her but she would not want to go out.

She wanted for nothing from me – nice clothes and shoes that she chose, handbags, breaks to Paris, new washing machine. I have helped her out with her children, I bought her the puppy she wanted…there was nothing I would not do for her if I had the money and the means to help I would. Whenever we went our I paid for everything.

Just after her surgery we had a ‘moment’. She got so angry with me one night because I told her the route to the car park from the mall was one way and she insisted it was another (I was right). But she shouted and screamed at me in the car all the way to her house, told me that how dare I think she was stupid and act the big man, that she was going to throw out all the gifts that I had bought her and then deleted me from her BB and told me we were over. The next day she calmed down and we were back together again.

However what I was finding more and more after the ‘honeymoon period’ was over was that she was criticising me more and more and complimenting me less and less. There were good days and bad days and it changed from day to day. I never quite knew what version of her I was going to get. But we would BB and speak to each other every day and as from the early days I would always let her know when I was home safe. Indeed until yesterday every day I always sent her a ‘Good Morning’ message.

Two weeks after Valentines (a week after the mall incident above ) she asked something of me that was simply beyond my means and she then rubbed my face in it by telling me how her EX was there to help her where I couldn’t. That was tough to take. She made me feel very very guilty and useless. It seemed that everything I had ever done for her was forgotten.

However we started to overcome this setback and I thought we were getting back on track. The past month has been pretty good . We would still BB each other every day and more recently she would phone me several times every day to see how I was. And I would do the same. We were back on track and getting closer again after her surgery.

But there was a sense at the back of my mind that something had changed. More and more it seemed I could not do the right thing. She told me I was not treating her right (even though I was buying her nice things). I would buy her nice things and she would tell me she could have bought them herself and didn’t need my money.
More and more she said I was dumb, stupid, made fun of me in front of her children and encouraged them to do the same. I started to feel useless, lose confidence and felt like I was treading on eggshells most of the time.

There were moments when she would be loving and caring again and give me some hope but it was not long before she would again take great pleasure in ‘bursting my bubble’.

And then last week. On Tuesday (after Easter) we went out for the first time in months . She said I was not buying her nice things the week before so we went to the mall and I bought her what she wanted and we then went for dinner to one of her favourite restaurants. Again all my treat. She asked me if I was still going to Jamaica with her in July. We talked about the future and we had a nice time.

On Wednesday I drove her to her son’s school for an important meeting and “saved the day” by also sorting out something with the puppy that night.

But I knew as soon as she told me that I was probably 24 hours away from being seen as dumb again.

And so back to the beginning of this posting. On Thursday morning she SMS’d me and asked me when was I was going to sort the car rental out for her and when were we going to have sex.

I realised I could not sort the car rental out for her because it was illegal and would have got her and me in very hot waters. And so I sensed sex would be off the agenda too.

I was right.

She called me and said she would soon be sending me a BB message. That message was disgusting and hurtful. She told me how useless I was, that she gave up on me and because I was not going to help her with the car rental she was going to have sex with her Ex that night because she was horny and I would not be needed in that department again!

She had broken me. She upset me terribly We spoke that night (she did not have sex with her ex!). She told me it was over. I was no use to her anymore.

Friday night I emailed her the reason why I had not agreed because she had clearly not understood the full implications for her and for me. But she did not care one bit. She said the email was pointless, I had wasted my time and none of it got through to her. She was not bothered in the slightest. As far as she was concerned I had again let her down and had not done what she wanted. In her mind I was now worthless.

Reading all the postings today and more on the web I now realise what a narcissist she is. I feel I have been emotionally abused and all the signs suggest she is a narcissist and may indeed suffer from NPD. She has a history of depression in her family so I do not know if this is connected.

I realise as I am writing this she has long forgotten about me and could not care how I feel about all this. Interestingly she has not yet deleted me (unlike previous times) from BB, perhaps in the hope that I will reply so that she can get her NS fix from me again, or that she can rub in my face that she has met her new ‘bad boy’. She has her ex (now ‘ex-ex’!) still in her life so she can get her NS fix so I guess she wants me (the new ‘ex’ in her life too) to get her NS fix!

I would like to think that she realises that she has made a big mistake and that come tomorrow’s school run when she is back on her own again and climbing the walls she will be wanting me back. But I realise after all the research how unlikely that all is and how I could not ever take her back, because it looks like I have a had a lucky escape.

I realise she has a low self esteem and needs to surround herself with material goods and gifts that make her feel good. That she uses her looks and her body to feel somehow worthy because she feels she has nothing else to offer. That she likes ‘bad boys’ because that is how she sees herself.

That she cannot love me because she can only love herself. That the beautiful caring person I fell in love with was just a mask and that as we have got closer and closer she has got more fearful and her mask has finally slipped now that we are well beyond the honeymoon period.

That the dream of getting married, living together and building a better life was just a dream for her and could have turned into a nightmare for me.


Trixie
June 11, 2014 at 9:47 pm
wow. I was moved to tears reading your comments. Especially the part about seeing your Ex with someone else, “getting into a car” because that happened to me with my Narc/Ex. And no one who has not been with a Narc would understand. You miss the person you thought they were.. I miss the person he is when he’s not needing to make a point about how right he is, or I guess I miss the person he is when I was stroking his fragile ego and all was right in the world with him.

He started seeing someone else while we were living together (out of financial necessity for a while,) and I was so tormented at how they’d spend hours on the phone, texting hundreds of times a day, as he and did when I was feeding his narc supply/ego. I was discarded. I have been thru other breakups/divorce and it never felt like this. Like part of you is dying… Thank you for sharing your experience. It helps.


Johnno
March 31, 2014 at 2:18 am
Me too, Bertie and all the guys. She drove me mad and I nearly lost myself.
This worked for me:
I wrote down every incident I could remember when I felt bad with her.
There were lots of bad times. Too many.
Every time I become nostalgic about her I read that list to remind myself what a nightmare she really was (and still is)
No point focusing on the good times when there was so much bad.
Would you eat a meal with a dog-turd in it?
Of course not.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, then it’s a duck.
I fell in love with her wrapping paper but it didn’t take long for her nasty contents to become clear.
So false and so sad. I now believe she will never change and that’s sad for her, but make no mistake: she is POISON to me.
Go out with a different woman. It will clear your brain and there are so many good women out there.
As the song goes: “Gonna walk and don’t look back”
Cheers, Johnno

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angel
January 18, 2014 at 6:53 am
I too had a nacissitic husband of 20 years then dated a narcissist after my divorce before I figured out what a narcissist is. They can be very charming. But the reason people keep going back to someone they know is wrong for them is oxytocin. This is a chemical the brain releases that makes us have a bond with a person. There are times a person flooded with oxytocin: while giving birth, nursing a child and during sexual relations. Oxytocin doesn’t discern morals but it does create a dependancy of sorts to a person. The only way to break that oxytocin bond is to stay away from that person, don’t talk to them, don’t even look at pictures of them . . . etc. You have to go cold turkey. Don’t even take their phone calls or respond to their texts. They only want to fill their narcissistic need and do not care about you. You solely exist to meet their needs and when you are not filling their cup they quickly move on to someone who will. You can be sure they will come back to test to see if you will fill their cup again but will not accept responsibility for any wrong doing. Run, don’t walk, away from these types of people. Research oxytocin and realize the science behind the attraction. You don’t truly miss the person you miss the oxytocin bond and having someone there.

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Bertie
January 31, 2014 at 9:52 pm
YES!!!!! It is an addiction!!! Exactly!!! Holy moly did I need to find this website today… Let me tell you, I broke up with him 3 weeks ago but allowed myself to be contacted by him after that several times and I felt myself being drawn back in…. until I completely cut off contact with him… which was VERY hard to do but I did it… and since I blocked him from my life, I can’t tell you how clear the air I am breathing feels once again. Narcissists are TOXIC!!

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roza
February 13, 2014 at 10:29 pm
I am agree with you I had this for 20 years! I met this nasty man but he was charming and his voice and he knew how to talk. It is crazy ! after 20 years I talk to that JUNK , who is trying very hard to charm me over and I am strong now and I dont need him. Maybe only for some FUN

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Andi
February 19, 2014 at 12:15 am
That sounds like a Love Avoidant/Love Addiction relationship. It’s very painful.

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rose
March 20, 2014 at 3:01 pm
thanks, your comment makes sense.

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Trixie
June 11, 2014 at 9:50 pm
Yes!! The “no contract” rule is extremely important with Narcissist break ups. I need to remember this. Stuck living with my Ex for financial reasons, and it’s been horrible because the good moments bring back the flood of good feelings. And there is nothing so great as the high you get from a Narc partner when they feel like you’re meeting their ego needs!!

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karin
January 22, 2014 at 10:38 pm
I recently went back to my n for 4 months it was an emotional affair only, he once again proclaimed of his undying love for me, his soul mate, love of his life. Stated he couldn’t wait to move back to his former home (where I reside) to reunite. He had plans to relive the past awesome relationship we once had. But then changed his mind and ended the relationship immediately stating he had made a big mistake. I once again went into my n coma anxiety, depression and lethargy. I’m feeling better now that I realize it was all a hoax
everything I experienced with him, so much easier to accept now that I know it was all a total waste of my
time. I’m able now to disregard the relationship taking only what I consider to be a lesson in life. It also give me a sigh of relief to know this person is a miserable wreck and tormented everyday just living in his own cesspool of pity.

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Bertie
January 31, 2014 at 9:54 pm
BRAVO and AMEN. That is exactly correct. They are miserable.

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Trixie
June 11, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Good for you. I had several times when my ex/narc and I got back together, and it was so nice. Then suddenly he’d act sullen (usually within a few weeks,) and announce that it didn’t feel right, and wanted to break up. I kept falling for this. I think he thought he’d feel better than he did when we got back together, as if he was looking for that rush Narcs get with a new person that doesn’t know their issues. Mostly they don’t want to be with someone that expects them to give 50% in a relationship.

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Nanthanial Smith
January 23, 2014 at 7:21 am
Possibly because your attach to a certain feeling about the person. Only you know what that true feeling is or you may have to discover it. Once you figure out how to break the yoke, you’ll be free of allowing you thoughts control you. It all boils down to being conscious of your inner self.

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Becky
January 24, 2014 at 7:58 am
I am with a guy whowho cannot express himself. Who thinks his naked presence is just going to do it for me. We don’t relate. He needs constant affirmation and attention and yet can’t ask for it. He doesnt tell me I look nice or ask me how I am. 12 years of this. I only discovered this guy who plays the poor me scenario every time we go out for dinner and doesnt buy anything. Its real fun. He thinks I should look 25 I’m 48. There is no feeling of appreciation for what I do for him. I have not wanted to break up because I fell for the dream. I i wanted him to be it. I don’t think I have the energy to start over and don’t rellish trying on guys that might not work. He’s a know it all a woman charmer who has had an affair on me emotional ones too. I am stronger number now knowing what I know and I will reach my end and need alot of counsel to be able to have a healthy relationship

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nick
January 25, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Hi guys im a 14 year victim. ..Of the worst kind of narcissist, a bipolar one, each character has its own disorder, psychopath, sociopath,so on and so on.. she drained mylife, I feel soulless, dead, zombie, and I look like a corpse, I cant even look in the mirror anymore..I have become anorexic, and look like im on crack. Im trying to get out butshe wont llet me go..

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Beth
February 6, 2014 at 3:38 am
Nick – RUN! Run for your life! Seriously! Live in a homeless shelter if you have to. FORCE yourself to run away from her. Look for an abuse shelter and/or support group – they are out there for men too! I am in your shoes right now, and it is a HORRIBLE way to live. I can’t leave as he is also very sick & has no one to care for him. Nick I am 55 yrs old. Run – RUN for both of us & all the others who really CAN’T get out! PS: Think of this picture when you want to stay/go back to her/feel guilty/ etc. Your on your death bed and you KNOW it was her that killed you. Do you really want to give her that power?

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ellie-anna
March 5, 2014 at 11:01 am
Hi Nick and Beth,
Please do not stay and let them kill you on your death bed!!! Both of you. RUN BOTH OF YOU!! I did and am living in a women’s shelter for abused women. Been here 10 month’s now. Going to move into a brand new built house next week with my four children. I feel blessed that I listened to my gut and got out after ten long years! I never and will not break no contact. If I can do it you can!!! Read so much stuff on the Internet when you are alone in the house about narcissistic abuse-so you are in no doubt that that’s what you are living-A LIVING HELL!!! Then you will have NO CHOSE, but leave. X.

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andrew
February 17, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Nick, I cannot believe it…I am a 14 year old victim as well! Feeling the same despair. Feeling trapped, soulless,! Feeling myself getting smaller and smaller. I think I may disappear soon. How can this be? I am a man, I am in charge of my life! How can I feel so out of control? Helpless? I love her! Do not want to hurt her! But I cannot stand the fight anymore. All that being said; I do not feel I can leave! What happened to me!!!!!!!!!!

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mrussell
January 26, 2014 at 7:55 am
I spent a good part of last year with someone who was severely abusive. I think she had a borderline personality. But there are common threads among personality disorders, but more importantly, with the way abusive people manipulate you. For instance, there’s the thing where the break you down so you feel like a bad person, blaming all problems real and imaginary on you, then geed you back a little self esteem. Rinse and repeat. I have problems of my own, and at a certain point, I got help with those, just to hold myself together. But she studied up, literally reason my self help books,and directly applied that to manipulate me. Another trick is was getting me to feel that her leaving meant I was a bad person, but more importantly, that her taking me back meant that it wasn’t true. Ultimately much of this made her the sole judge of my self worth.Another thing she did was to try and isolate me from my friends. I let her do it, because I wanted it all not to be true, and she got me into this cycly that had me feeling that if she was with me, it I was good and she cared.

But I certainly made it possible, I had the choice to walk, no matter how hard, and like you I did. But its hard. Still, I feel sometimes this deep need for her to somehow admit she was wrong or take all the bad stuff back. Or at least express understanding of what she did and remorse. But I fight it. I know that the only time she does that, is when she’s manipulating me. Another thing she would do is make me give a concession and admit I was wrong about something for each of her admissions. Even if I was not. She also denied any positive things I did or traits I had. It was all about making me emotionally dependent upon her. It sounds simple to get of, but if its done subtly, it can be powerful. She also knew me before hand. In the “just friends mode” we talked a lot about relationships as well. She learned just what I wanted in a girlfreind and used it skillfully to pretend to be her. In fact, when she brought up us having a life together, she acted like she was worried that I would propose immediately, and made it cleat that less than a year is too soon, but more that 18 months is probably too long. That she wanted to wait instead of jumping in, but that she didn’t want someone who put it off forever. It was no coincidence that the timeframe was exactly what I felt. Because in fact, I’d told her months before what I felt was reasonable. But really, it was a way to rope me in. To control me. To seem like the perfect girl” so I’d want to be with. She also made fake sexual harassment complaints against me when I would not cooperages.

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Jay Jones
February 9, 2014 at 1:13 am
It’s really very simple. We see who they are deep down. We identify with those emotions. Either because we had our own insecurities or spent so much time hearing, form them, how awful we are. Doesn’t matter how strong you are. When you love someone and all they do is tare you apart constantly, you begin to believe all those bad things. Plus, when you love someone who is so sadly damaged it feels wrong to leave them. It’s not their fault they are like this, but sadly there is no changing them. It’s hard to walk away, but easy to make them hate you to the point that they leave.
He didn’t destroy my life. I destroyed my life by allowing him to continue in my life.

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janelle
February 27, 2014 at 7:55 am
I recently broke up with a womanising narcissist and despite the enormity of his deceit still felt drawn to going back (which I havent) but had to question why..
I feel that partly my own fear of abandonment was triggered by his emotional coldness once I stop being a narcissist supply which made me want to cling…or rescue as id seen the vulnerable damaged side behind the attention seeking exterior..
needless to say we all have failings and im trying to find the place within me to forgive to let go….but end conclusion he has way too many issues beneath all this which would be detox to be around….I also feel sometimes we return as we are unwilling to accept the true reality and hold onto what we thought it was

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helen
March 1, 2014 at 10:58 am
Hi there!
Same thing happened to me only i am more stupid.. I learnt about narcissistic disorder the first time he dumped me.. and then I still went back!
6 months and didn’t fill his needs anymore and back to being dumped again.

Don’t feel bad, they have a way of drawing you in.. they are professional emotional robbers.

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shatteredheart
March 12, 2014 at 10:26 pm
I need some advice… My heart hurts so bad, and although I am angry and KNOW he is a heartless jerk.. why do I keep getting this feeling that if I just say the right thing or try to talk to him one more time that he will be the kind, loving friend that I miss so badly. It has been close to 3 weeks since he started acting extremely mean and nasty to me… before that I was the most wonderful person in the world to hear him tell it. I am crushed by the drastic change of treatment and even though I KNOW what he is capable of… I still think somehow he will realized it was mean and the wrong thing to do…a mistake. I want to believe that all that love and kindness was real… How do I get past this? How do I cope with this? I keep wanting to call or stop by his house. A Few days ago I did see him and tried top give him some of his belongings back… he screamed at me and took HIS belongings and tossed them across his front yard… Then stomped off into his house, telling me to leave. I did leave and thought to myself this is it… I now know he is truly a jackass. I was there to give him his things back, I said as soon as he saw me… I’m not here to fight or talk, just to give you your things and say goodbye. His reaction to the sight of me is RAGE and throw his own belongings around HIS yard? WHAT is the purpose of that? WHY can’t I stay i the mindset of FORGET HIM, HE’S NOT A GOOD PERSON?? Anyone have any ideas??

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Cheryl
April 28, 2014 at 12:06 am
What you are feeling is completely normal. That sounds crazy, I know, because you’re feeling deep grief about someone who is treating you like garbage but you must understand that it is HIS narcissistic behaviour that is making you feel and act in ways you probably never thought you would. The memories of the good times are so powerful and felt so good – probably better than you’d ever thought you could feel – that you are grieving THAT man. Not the one who is behaving like someone you don’t know. You need to give yourself a break and understand that it has only been 3 weeks since he turned on you. That means the “perfect man” you thought you’d met must still be very fresh in your mind and heart. I don’t know any way to avoid the extreme heartache of the end-game of your N. It was always going to be like it is now, but how in the world were you supposed to know that? He is behaving in ways that you cannot understand and that’s because they defy understanding by a normal person. It’s like trying to understand how a serial killer could do what he does. It simply does not exist in your being – you are incapable of understanding something so foreign. This is NOT about you. This is about your N. You are normal. He is not. And if you have to chant that over and over, chant it. Write it down and put it on the refrigerator. You are behaving like a normal, empathetic human being in trying to understand how this can be HAPPENING. If you could only make SENSE of it. Right? But you won’t. Not now and not 5 years from now. Because it doesn’t make any sense. I remember saying to my N husband, “I’ve never had a problem being understood by other people before; why don’t you understand what I’m saying?” I learned to preface every potentially problematic statement with “I am not trying to be sarcastic or argumentative by what I’m about to say” to try to prevent him from flying off the handle and telling me I was crazy for thinking/feeling the way I did. Like others have said here, I kept thinking that if I could just find the right words, he would understand me and stop being angry and blaming everything on me. But it was doomed to failure. Not long after I stopped expecting him to treat me like he had during that first year “honeymoon phase”, he met someone else and, without telling me he had, ended our marriage. He couldn’t even do that honestly. He told me nothing was definite and we just needed some time apart and I totally believed him – believed he wanted things to be better. Within weeks he was living with the other woman. I only found out because I asked him if he was still wearing his wedding band. When he said no and I asked why not, the truth came out. His whole family thinks I was the problem. He cannot bear for anyone not to like him. He cannot bear to be wrong. I have never, before him, had the experience of doubting my own intelligence and ability to communicate but he is a master at twisting things around and I could never explain to anyone how it worked – I couldn’t explain it to myself, for God’s sake.
I remember that, the summer we met, I was so happy that one day I literally had to dance. I couldn’t contain the happiness. And clearly, there is an inverse relationship between the amount of joy one feels at the start and the amount of misery experienced at the end.
You can do this. You are better than this and you deserve much, much more than he could ever give you.

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Lucy
March 5, 2014 at 9:09 pm
I just wish I had researched this topic 2 years ago. I was in a relationship with someone who displayed all the traits mentioned and it ended very badly in my case. He was so self absorbed, very needy and spent his life bragging about his success and achievements. He loved to be the center of attention, craved popularity and blamed everyone if something went wrong in his life. He was a low wage earner with no credit history, he depended on me to pay his bills and in fairness he would pay me back eventually but I paid for everything else the household bills food etc. Sadly when I had gathered the courage to challenge is behavior he turned in to a monster and this resulted in domestic violence. My tipping point was when he held a knife to my throat as he believed I had done him wrong listening to a friends account of a situation instead of talking things through in a rational way with myself. I stood my ground and had this person prosecuted not because I wanted to see him jailed but in the hope that he will get some help. He was given a 2 year suspended sentence and restrained for 5 years with probation conditions. I know he will fail and I know he will have selected his next victim spinning the stories of how badly I have treated him and I know he will knock at my door again but this time it will remain shut.

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DJ
March 11, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Was in 6 year relationship with an Narc. named Steve.They sweep you off your feet at the beginning! Then, after a while when things become less exciting, the REAL person shows their face! I started questioning him, and once I started to see the REAL person, I was out the door so fast my head was spinning! They absolutely CANNOT LET the world find out who they really are!! They have all their friends fooled! They think he is is such a nice guy! So, if you discover that, LOOK OUT! I have never been so scared in my life! He became someone else! It was terrifying! And I loved this man! I was shown MANY red flags, but I chose to ignore them! DONT IGNORE THEM! These people are truly evil! The best advice I can give anyone is RUN! He left me an emotional wreck! And I’m not an unintelligent person. This can happen to anyone. RUN from these people! You will find someone else who truly cares about you. These people are not capable of love, because they don’t love themselves!

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Becky
March 20, 2014 at 7:42 am
Narcissists are master manipulators for their own gratification. They pull on your heart strings and will twist things around to manipulate your behaviour as you are no doubt a trusting individual. Make no doubt about it, THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL RUIN YOUR TRUST. I dated one for 3 months, doesn’t seem long but it completely ruined my self esteem. I realize you only “allow” people to take your self esteem but seriously when you are someone who is caring, hates to see others hurt and trusting, these people will prey on every ounce of that goodness. Forgive yourself for not knowing you were getting caught in a sick head game, remember your worth and your goodness and begin to recognize even the SLIGHTEST character trait of these sad, struggling people. Most of all….don’t become one yourself from the pain.

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Laura
March 24, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Exactly, no one could possibly understand the suffering, unless they have been there! I feel like I just woke up from a nightmare, asking myself ” is it possible that a human can do this? Why have I not heard of this before? Am I crazy ?”!!!

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Jd. Brock
March 27, 2014 at 5:01 am
Its easy to go back to what you knew. No matter how bad. Many divorced people get back together for short times. Because it is what u know which can be comforting. If the narrcisit was bad at first meeting you would have left. No the narrcisitis. In the beggining is attractive maybe even interested in you and then u have been sucked in to the craziness of a Narcisitisis. Forgive my spell check. Grab that wonderful girl who gave u a 2nd chance. Run like h e l l who away from the Narcissitist. Who will poison all she touches. Get away. Explain to that new wonderful girl that a narcissist is damaged and damages others and promise you will never talk see hear or be near the narccisist. Ever again if you want to be sane. Let the narcissistist. For mental health professionals .

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Kathrine
March 31, 2014 at 4:06 am
No, except perhaps in a way there is something appealing about the narcissist that you subconsciously like. Remember they can be a charming as a sly-ass fox, but one thing is for damn sure They will make you feel like you are insane.Pleasee, please, please, please get as far away from a narcissist as you can before you snap and hurt yourself or them or the both of you. They are incapable of changing. Once you are done with them, make a solemn vow not to ever ever ever have any further contact with them for the rest of your life.. iwish you well. Its like going to hell and coming back to tell about it.

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Tammy
April 24, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Hi – I am responding as to why someone goes back to a NPD person. I was madly in love with one and I saw the over exaggerated part with his music and beliefs but I will tell you what captivated me.

He lived a life larger than life. What do I mean? He spoke beautifully, highly intelligent, witty, fun and appeared caring. It was like a fairy tale – didn’t like to work felt work was a curse and that an intelligent person should not have to live a demeaning life they could find brighter smarter ways to make a living. I began to believe this while busting my little butt and paying for all the dates etc. So I will say this – we all have to provide a living – for me what drew me was the thought of life abundant. Whose energy and conversation level isn’t zapped sometimes by just a standard 9 to 5 job. I have a lot of good qualities and talents but felt there was always more to life then life on the ant hill same traffic, same nose to the grindstone and so on. It swept me off my feet. I am trying now to do my same ole nose to the grindstone but use my little bits of off time to create my own beauty in my home, on my drives exploring, trying new music, culture and food. Simply I want a more abundant life and there are only so many hours in a day but there must be balance the beauty we desire we are capable of creating until we meet our other half we must be complete within ourselves. I’m not recovered with an “ed” on the in I am recovering – it was a horror story and love story both. But I am getting there and now I have a clearer picture of myself because of it – I won’t be a doormat for anyone for any reason and I won’t be affraid to try “new” things which is what this person rolled up like “new and shinny”. I will always love this person but they will not allow it because I drew out the truth and in a fit of anger at how I was being treated I emailed it out to the family for ignoring this situation. Yeah they can make you pretty darn angry and behave in a way that you feel shame over and guilt! But they don’t.

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karnas
April 27, 2014 at 3:06 am
because you want to be a victim, subconsciously.

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Helena chase
April 29, 2014 at 11:52 am
Yeah, If you think about we are every bit as sick as them , only the flip side. After reading a number of these posts its obvious we take way too much abuse and for far too long. No balanced person would get caught up with these emotional vampires for so long, and that is not meant as an insult. I do believe that anyone can be fooled in the beginning though and that is why relationships should not be rushed. it takes a long time to really know a person so why rush things. Narcs are impatient too though, and they are hungry for attention , praise and possessions . Their sense of entitlement is sky high though and countless people will be used by every single one of them. I have dated quite a few the last few years and appear to be attractive to them. I feel it is easier to get my balance back quicker now though and just need to build a more balanced social group to keep my head straight. Narcissists like isolated people because they are easier to brainwash..

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Trixie
June 11, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Not true. If people truly got and stayed in these situations because they “wanted to be a victim” then tell me why I have never been with a person like that before? Wouldn’t I seek out relationships where I’m the victim? Sometimes people run into a narcissist, and it’s impossible to tell at first. It took me years to see what was going on, but by then I as so drained and trampled, I couldn’t see the way out. They’re the problem, not the person they dominate and torment.

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Eric
May 19, 2014 at 6:39 am
I’ve been there. Always being made to feel inferior. After just two years a total shell of what I was. I went back a few times. I’ve found one reason we go back is “they” have convinced us that we are the problem not them. We’ve been made to believe it is all our fault. And “them” giving us another chance is all we think we care about. Once I ditched her for good and educated myself on narcissism I decided to fight for what’s important, my daughter. None of her narc bs does anything or means anything to me anymore. I’m free!

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1Tormentedq soul
May 27, 2014 at 4:04 am
I am currently going through this hell! We have broken up several times and I can’t break the cycle! It has gotten worse during the 4 years that I have stayed! You are so correct when you say you can’t describe it until you have gone through it. People don’t understand why we don’t just leave!

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Mo
June 1, 2014 at 2:44 pm
you cared for her and put her above yourself, she made you feel guilty for what you were not responsible for, you felt sorry for her, you have conscious, she does not, you are human and she is not, you are honest, she deceived for her personal gains, she wanted you as one of members of her club for special occasions to fulfill her sick needs. You have/had things for her to feed her sick personality and supply from you. Believe me, I have been there, I am still struggling after 9 months of break-up . Relationship was only for 6 months and she sure was good at deceiving me. She knew / learned about my weaknesses, took advantage of me financially , and broke me emotionally. I cannot believe this happened to me but it did. She even filed criminal charges against me the day she moved out. I cleared my charges. She told police to charge me so, I could not go to States anymore and see my only brother that I have. She had her son beat me up and I thought, I should not bother or file charges . I do not want to bring myself down to her level. I tried to forget and forgive as they say is the best remedy but, I do not know if I did the right thing or not!!!!!!
Hang in / on to your girlfriend , you are lucky , you have someone in your life.I don’t have anyone. I wish I did, it would have become easier to deal with pain but,I have not been lucky enough.
Good luck my friend. Stay away from that woman. Stop your losses right now.
Mo

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KeithWorkman7
June 7, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Read “The Gas light Effect”.

You may well enjoy the movie “Gas light” 1934

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kelly brown
June 12, 2014 at 9:57 am
hi. i am seeing a guy in secret whos ex-wife is very much a narcissist. i am so confused, she is awful to him, he says hes in love with me but he cant let her go. it is like some sick sort of emotional attachment. can you help me see from a victims point of view to help me understand. we have pointed out to him that she is a narcissist but progress is very slow. she has a strong hold over him. i dont know if its fear of what she’ll do if she finds out hes seeing someone else or fear of losing her. help!!! i feel so drained over this and im trying to walk away from it all because i cant see him ever finding the strength to stand up to her.

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Mai
June 14, 2014 at 8:43 pm
i think i am a Narc, am a beautiful woman, intelligent and educated. To make matters worse am a linguistic that people are always praising me. I had a career but fell in love with someone much older than me and he was a struggling man but very hard working. My husband is not educated, however very intelligent and puts in effort to what he does. I am a down to earth woman, flexible or spontaneous that i don’t know what became of me of late. We dated for 2 years with my hubby before marriage, he was never decided on commitment, am a christian who believes in no sex before marriage. He is in U.k i was working in Asia, my then fiancee kept wanting me to put his job first before mine, we had problems until i broke up with him, he realised i was serious about letting go so he made up his mind about commitment. I was ready to relocate to uk but he never wanted to relocate to asia or africa (where i come from) i loved him and decided to leave my career behind, move on to be a wife as i plan to resume work where my husband feels comfortable living. Unfortunately after the wedding i was denied a spouse visa because his financial status wasn’t good. He said its ok, he will come home every after a month for 2 weeks until his business caught up, my husband never came back home now its a year. He thinks its not right to leave his business for a second, i am unemployed because am now in a third world country affected with deployment, he always has no money, he doesn’t want to be employed because he thinks his business will go to the next level, i suggested we both look for jobs in a country where we can live together and work as well its not right by him, he now lives with his mother, whenever i mention am lonely he says am not accepting the situation, he seems ok by the distance but am dying here, i pray, fast, help with charities at church to keep busy but my heart is bleeding, my beloved thinks he is right because love doesnt pay bills, he is always busy, too tired to talk or needs time by himself instead of us to skype. when he does, he is multi tasking while talking to me that he forgets what i say in the process. He keeps saying am not understanding, unappreciative etc and his family too. So am always saying sorry but when i mention anything faulty he says, “there you go again”. Of late, i also keep showing him how great i am to bring back my self esteem that i lost, i show him how i deserve a lot better which hurts him and am guilty about because its not my intention however the biggest part of me thinks i should remind him maybe he will bend a bit not to loose me, i keep praising myself, calling myself good wife, telling him all the crap narcissist say to feel like me again. Am trying to do things my way as well and of late we are clashing too much that i have thought of divorce.
Am i a narcissist or have been damaged by the man with an ego who manipulated me into guilt of our situation?
help me please, am ready to move to europe to any country close to uk so that i can save my marriage but i think we have more issues than just the distance. He is truly a handsome man, good father to our daughter

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kingrachele
June 15, 2014 at 2:21 pm
i KEEP DOING THE SAME THING HOPING FOR BETTER RESULTS..I BECOME CONFUSED AND START THINKING IM THE ONE THAT NARCISSISTIC. thEN I FEEL BETTER KNOWING IM NOT BECAUSE NO WAY ON EARTH WOULD I WAIST MY TIME CARING AND WONDERING IF IM THE DRAMA QUEEN NARCISSISTIC .
AM I BLAMING HIS NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY FOR MY SADNESS? AND DOES THAT MAKE ME NARCISSISTIC WHEN I START THINKING HE IS REALLY OUT TO DESTROY ME. iM SO OBSESSED WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF ITS HIM OR ME THAT MY ENERGY IS WEARING DOWN AND IM GETTING TO TIRED AND MY CONFIDENCE AND LOVE FOR MYSELF IS SLOWLY DENIGRATING. .OR LET BE HONEST.MY LOVE FOR MYSELF HAS DISAPEARED BECAUSE IM MAD AT MYSELF FOR GOING BACK. iM MAD AT MYSELF FOR ALLOWING HIM TO DO WHAT HE HAS DONE.AND I KEEP HOPING FOR IT TO BE JUST MY OVER REATIONG AND INSECURITIES..WHY ELSE WOULD HE STILL BE WITH ME AFTER ALL THE FIGHTING , HE MUST CARE SO I STICK IN IT TELLING MYSELF IM OVER REACTING.AND WERE JUST NOT COMMUNICATING. iLL TRY IT AGIAN…AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

I WILL LEAVE FOR SURE THIS TIME.BUT HONESTLY I FEEL STUCK..HONESTLY IM NOT BEING HONEST WITH MYSELF AND STILL LIVING IN A DILUSTION THAT HE REALLY DOES LOVE ME.

I SEE IT..BUT I CANT JUST GET OVER THAT DAM JILL JUST YET..HE KEEPS CHASING ME OR AM I KEEP CHASING HIM. SO I LEAVE THINKING I CAN LEAVE THIS TIME. AND THAT UTTER LONINESS I FEEL WHEN WITH HIM IS THERE STILL BUT WORSE WHEN HE’S GONE..I SERIOUSLY AM FUCKED UP IN MY HEAD TODAY..BUT THATS JUST THIS MOMENT..I CAN PICK MYSELF UP AND NOT FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF . AND KNOW I AM A CULPRIT TO THE ABOUSE ON MYSELF JUST AS MUCH AS HIM..I JUST NEED TO LEARN THIS TIME , AGAIN HOW TO GO ABOUT IT..BECAUSE IT DIDNT WORK LAST TIME..IT ONLY WORKED FOR FIVE YEARS..AND NOW HE’S BACK AGAIN.

SORRY BAD SPELLING AND TYPING AND PROBLEY DIDNT MAKE SINCE, IVE ALLOWED MYSELF TO NOT HAVE ANY GOOD SLEEP LAST NIGHT AS I JUST CONSTANTLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT

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two@live.com.au
June 20, 2014 at 9:58 am
There are people replying thinking they are victims that are actually narcissists themselves. Take a look at your own behaviour. Are you absolutely certain you are the victim here. What if you are actually not but you are so wrapped up in your behaviour that you don’t even realise.

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Barbara
July 13, 2014 at 10:25 pm
Google Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Program aka NARP by Melanie Tonia Evans. It will help you. It is super reasonable cost too.

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Katja
July 16, 2014 at 6:43 am
If you look up ‘inverted narcissist’ ( or codependent) you will see reasons why you maybe felt the need to have gone back. An inverted narcissist almost feels the need to be with. Person of this type- and this needs overcoming! Go to a counsellor ASAP about this!

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Kathleen
July 18, 2014 at 4:35 pm
For me, it is because i am a submisive personality and have been abused as a child. But after so many years, I have just recognized the fact that my partner is a narcissist. The whole time i thought i was doing something wrong. I am frustrated and wondering why no one let me in on it. Is everyone in the dark with this?

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Fillipa
July 22, 2014 at 1:20 pm
I am in the same situation, i have understood i am with a narcissist: we dont live together and to be more presize we live in 2 different coutries in europe. But even though he has been controlling me and my life. I have been to hell and back with him..but each time we break up (and its mostly him take the initiative to break up) he always comes back max 2 days later and i just accept him back! despite knowing this will happen again. If hates if i ask him a question and i can never say a word without him go to defence. He hates critics and he has always right. Everybody are jealous of him, or want to be friend with him and all the other things mentioned above! He talks for hours and if i by mistake yawn he gets insulted that i dont listen to him or interested in what he says. He never ask about what is going on in my life but i know every detail about his work and life without asking. Oh my god i got to get away from him!!

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Rachel
July 22, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Trust me..you are not alone. Many of us went back numerous times even though we know better. I believe victims are really good people and want to see the good in people and the lies, betrayal, abuse etc. is such a huge pill to swallow. I couldn’t believe I would ever put up with this horrible behavior, but I did, again and again and again. I finally prayed and prayed and God let me know in my heart that this person I was with is unfortunately not capable of truly loving or caring for anything or anyone. Some of us go back to find out more and regret this curiosity over and over again. Remember they are master manipulators!

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R
July 30, 2014 at 9:30 pm
One Professionals’ Name. “Melanie Tonia Evans”. It will be the best investment you will ever make in your recovery, hands down. I am just starting on my own healing journey. NO ONE in the field of psychology understands what we have been through, and why we go back better than she does! Blessings!!!!

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megma81
August 8, 2014 at 12:11 am
After a 14 years relation. Now only i knew that i was right. He is mental not me! I started to doubt that am crazy. He is able to brain wash me and make me feel guilty for nothing. I suffered a lot. i have been lonely forever. an accessory that has no single right! Even sleeping togther! Nothing. He deals with everybody in an arrogant way. He thinks he is intelligent and the best. He locks his mobiles. He never shares any information about his work, his friends, his family. If he is travelling, he tells me one or two days before. He built this up. I used to blame and fight for my rights. By time, I was accepting all what he is doing without any comment. He would go for silent treatment for days or weeks, he never cared. i had to apologise even if its his mistake to let things go. I started to ignore him and live my life. He never got bothered as if I dont exist. He never compliments me or actually recognizes me. When I talk about any serious issue he just ignores me as if am not talking. He can keep on lying and brain washing anyone infront of him and yes, i knew he was lying and yet I was believing. I was convinced!! yes! am broken to that extinct. I have two kids from him and I wanted to have a good family but this guy wasted my life and my brain. Even home grocerry, he would buy the things he like not us! he wouldnt take me with him. My car, he chose it and I paid for it. I am separated now. He doesnt want to divorce because it doesnt suit his plan. It has been one year and he never apologized although he physically abused me too… am a wreck, i lost my confidence and I feel I will never be able to start a new relationship. am 33 and I feel being 77. My family know that he is a nutter but they dont understand how broken I am and think am exxagerating. I wish I ran looooong time ago. He is evil and I cant even hate him!

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J
August 22, 2014 at 11:02 pm
you have been “trained” to accept their abnormal behavior……..I know….been there done, that. Too little….and WAY too late. Life is too short. Dump her. Run as far and as fast as you can. People like that have no life energy to give and Really? Isn’t it time you lived you own life? Not to someone else’s insane expectations but of your own? Don’t you deserve to be loved? Not on someone else’s terms but on your own? These nasty narcisstic people are PATHETIC PATHOLOGICAL LIARS They have no life energy of their own…they just get their kicks on sucking off of other normal people. hANG IN THERE….THERE ARE ALOT OF OTHER “NORMAL” PEOPLE OUT THERE WAITNG TO LOVE AND BE LOVED.

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Ge
September 12, 2014 at 6:57 am
Hello Jeff,

Reading your post from a year ago so maybe its a bit late to repley..
To anwser your question; look at the site of Melanie Tonia Evans.
She wrote extensively and in depth about the subject you are questioning about.
Good luck!

Ge

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TheGhostofBelleStarr
October 1, 2014 at 1:17 am
I was 16 when I moved in with this 33 tear old man. We have been together for 40 years/ He has done nothing but tear me down, criticize everything I do from mopping the floor to how long I stay in the bath tub. he has called me a moron and a fing bitch-saying I don’t know how to butter the vegetables…I have now taken up drinking to escape my reality… he is now 73 and I am 55

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tina montella
November 12, 2014 at 1:34 am
Goodness…I am so sorry. Perhaps you can gain strength and leave. Pray!
Tina Montella

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tina montella
November 12, 2014 at 1:31 am
I know your pain. Its a crazy life of isolation that they exhibit. Sorry.
Tina Montella

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Wheezie
November 17, 2014 at 2:29 am
Jeff, how many times I have spoken those exact words ! I don’t know anything about you but I know I know full well the hell you are crawling out of and the literally cellular and molecular damaging pain you have felt but, in terror, did not understand, I am not aware of any post traumatic victimization experience where understanding, empathy and finding the victim unconditionally credible is NOT POSSIBLE at any meaningful level by non-victims, including loving family members and one’s dearest friends or even, as in my case, a therapist. The therapist I had seen for years, reporting to once a week to try to get a grip on my debilitating pain and suffering.” Why”, I would scream,”Why does this woman have this power over me, and the opportunity to regularly hurt me in so many ways and seem to enjoy setting the stage to do it on purpose? All of this I have come to know is typically seen in emotionally abusive relationships. It was diagnosed that clinical depression that was causing the erosion of my very person, my health and fitness, my finances. After all, this is what Miss Covert was drumming into me every day, ” You are depressed, you are bipolar, you don’t care enough for this relationship to accept it and get on medication so we might have a chance. Was I ? I started to doubt myself. Here I thought I was coming apart because the love of my life, my destiny, my perfect woman, my inspiration to meditate and practice yoga, to become more mindful. The woman with whom I treasured an intimacy I never thought possible. With my face pushed to her neck, her very scent warmed my blood and made me feel lightheaded, her skin was my skin, mine was hers I would miss a breath with happiness as I saw her coming into my drive for the weekend. We talked easily and endlessly, traveled together as symbiotic soul mates, we often caught people staring at us smiling. An old woman in a bar approached and said how wonderful it was to see two people so in love. She thought of her lost husband through us, we were so touched. WE felt so special together, so fortunate to have found each other after our earlier marriages ended. After a previous 18 year marriage,once a week involved separate bedrooms. . was vicious to me, and fucked with my head. she often dropped the silent shroud barely speaking to me leaving me sure I had done something painfully inconsiderate to displease her so.Instead of running away from this little nebbish as fast as I could I lived in abject terror she would dump me again, just like that, with the snap of a finger. Before the Narc was out of the bag, we even had a few sessions with my therapist and then another where my little covert’s performance was dazzling. How cocky and sinister was SHE? To come to my very therapist with me and by using magic invisible strings recruit the good doctor to”her side”. I left those sessions so shaken and unsure to question if I attended someone else’s counseling session in error. The Soul Shattering AHA Moment came when a dear friend sent me a link to a video on Youtube with a note, better sit down , this sounds like HER, and worse, it sounds like YOU! sent me to the precipice, 15 years, conned, gamed, hurt on purpose, my life’s dearest memories fizzed into the air like a dissolving effervescent Its going on two years since last contact. I;ll never return to the person I was. At 62 I know I will walk the remaining trails alone. I am centered and content, yet empty

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Randy Holler
December 23, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I would say aside from being co-dependent, you may look up and learn more about trauma bonds for insight.

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bev
December 26, 2014 at 2:32 am
I have done the very same but on a bigger scale, I was with what I now know to be the worst kind of narcissist husband for 23 year…eventually when my youngest of 3 daughters was 16 I left…it was very messy and he vowed to never speak tp me again…after stalking and threats fir a few months he met someone else and over 10 year had loads of relationships and I knew at the time why all his relationships were failing,…stupidly to cut it short I bumped into him after all the daughters had told me he still loved me and dudnt want anyone else…iwas stunned and after that first day I moved into his house renting my own house out…it started text book style…but I had never heard of narcissm…ive been with him nearly 4 year now and its been hell..ive slept on more mates sofas after being kicked out of HIS house…which he always points out it is ours in his rare nicer moments…I realized early on he had not forgiven me for leaving him 10 year ago…but in his rages he tells me how happy he had been before he let me back into it…he is a drinker..is everthing these people are..vile to me..shows me up in public..puts me down all the time…tells me people talk about me being a slag…he knows I am no slag..but he will say anything to hurt me…we never got divorced so are still married…my house became vacent 2 week ago and he thought I would move out…so had been making the usual comments about out next holiday and jobs to do yo improve our 2 houses…then bump in 5 seconds its xmas eve..iknew it would happen cause it slways does…through him going into a rage fir no apparent reason…iwalked out…stayed out till 2 am at my empty house to come back for xmas morning and the family meal…he never spoke to me all day…I am in a great position to leave..ive left many times..once for 3 months then out of the blue a text asking me to go back…and evrry time I fall for it…he told me to shove his presents up my arse…something I realized he has told me most years we were together..my friends and even family think am crazy keep going back…but up to finding out on this and other sites that it can never change…..he is even telling me I am a psychopath. And I should get help…icould write a book about all the abuse this man has put me through…..

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space
December 26, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Its because they left you feeling I,ferior n thinking that you had the superior person in the ie the best you felt like you had lost. They are manipulative n manipulate your mind into thinking they are very important.

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Ella
January 20, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Your ex partner is a narcissist & you are codependent which kind of makes you addicted to narcissist. One of your parents must have been one too & you never got their love or attention. So now that you are grown up you are trying to get this love & hoping to make narcissist love you & if she did it would be as if you got love of your parent that you are still yearning for.
Problem is that narcissist are incapable of loving anybody & are very damaged & self centred individuals. I hope that you stayed well away as there is no happy ending with narcissist – just devastation & pain.

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Mollie
June 2, 2013 at 6:39 am
I am in the same situation Jeff. I was with a terrible Narc for 8 years …this June will be 2 years he left – but he is back and wanting to fix our marriage up.

I am frustrated that I seem to have this ‘hook’ in my head that connects me. It is most certainly not love nor a deep attraction …it is more of an unresolved question …why did this happen to me?? I wonder if it is easier to try to return to the abuse and become numb again rather than accept the magnitude of the abuse that has been inflicted – especially by someone I loved so purely.

Not sure – but I know I need time away to heal properly. Some whopping wounds to get right – and confusingly I still wonder ‘what if he dos get better …?’ . Sickening!

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 6:53 pm
What you need to do to understand why this happened to you is 1) study narcissism–learn how they think and what they do– 2) accept the magnitude of the abuse that has been inflicted and 3) delve into yourself enough to understand why you let him into your life. (I say with certainty that there were red flags you ignored–because there always are.) And these things all go together. I suggest http://www.melanietoniaevans.com — wealth of info on both there. Good luck!

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Sharon
June 4, 2013 at 4:36 am
I was in a relationship like this for nearly six years and in the end I felt like I had no sole left not only had he left me in debt he took all our belongings and I have 3 children to raise. He physically abused and put down my eldest child and continually pathologically lied in the end I thought there was something wrong with me. We had two biological children together who witnessed this behavior. I could not put them through it anymore, even though I lost my self worth primal instincts kicked in and I confronted him and told him he was nothing but a lying thieving child abusing womanising prick and left! That was 8 months ago. I have no intention of returning, he ripped my heart out for nearly six years so all I have left is my brain, always go by your instinct. They will never change because they are incapable

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mrussell
January 26, 2014 at 8:19 am
Sharon , I feel for you,I’m still feeling it. Its hard. I still find this thought creeping in where she admits she was wrong, we get back together and thus proves to me, perhaps with the inclusion of a heartfelt apology and a good explanation, that she was wrong,and rakes me back. But I stop myself. I KNOW she’s poison. She admitted everything I accused her of was true, but then started making up be excuses about how I *wanted” her to do it. The therapist was actually shocked at it.

The councelor didnt beleive it and stopped her so she obviously and quickly switched gears and said she was afraid of me and had to do it. At that point I’d it and left.

But after she vandalized my car, and caused enough damage to make it a felony in this state, I actually hesitated to report it because I still felt bad about the possibility of her losing her job, and getting arrested. But I had to do it. Its a step of breaking that hold over me.

But what it always came down to every time we got back together, was that she caused a serious emotional wound, in such a way that she could make it seem to go away. And then she would beat me down until I was so badly damaged and hurting I was desperate, then “fix” with some excuse I wanted to hear, extracting at the same time an admission of some responsibility for MY “problems” which she would use against me the next time.

I’d bet you’ve seen some of this.The cycle. I suggest you honestly examine if you can handle it, if not, there’s no shame in getting help. The damage may need professional help to repair. Just like sometimes, you might injure a leg or arm and realize after a few weeks that its not healing on its own and you need a doctors help.

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Ella
January 20, 2015 at 7:07 pm
Spot on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bryan
June 5, 2013 at 12:02 pm
I was just abruptly dumped by a Narc. This individual manifests many of the described features – lack of empathy, always glancing in mirrors, devoted gym rat, pictures of her all around her home, difficultities at work with interactions, distaining others, feeling superior and actually rejecting gifts when these did not meet her standards. There was never enough that I could do for her. When I would even suggest that there is a problem, she rejects this and turns it around. Here’s the question – I’m out of her life – by her choice. Should I reach back as a friend and suggest that she seek treatment for her NPD?

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 6:49 pm
No.

I quote you: “When I would even suggest that there is a problem, she rejects this and turns it around.”

Are you paying attention to the truth you yourself wrote here?

You’re free. Forget her and count your blessings–look at some of the other commenters here, how trapped they are. Best of luck finding someone truly loving  :-)

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mrussell
January 26, 2014 at 9:02 am
No. Hell no. She will drag you back in, or turn on you with a rage like you have never seen trying to utterly destroy you. People with personality disorders are dangerous, volatile and capable of sudden and unexpectedly agressive or violent actions when provoked.

If you try , she has to react in some way to prove you wrong. She DEPENDS on feeling she’s perfect.If you tell her that she’s not just imperfect but has a mental disease, she’s HAS to deal with it. As you said, your out by her choice. And your talking about using that as a platform of credibility to try not just to tell her she has a mental disorder but provide proof. Honestly, god help you if you somehow can find a argument that actually resonates with her.
What your thinking is “I care about her, I just can’t be with her because she’s so screwed up” now think a little harder, there’s more. That little bit that thinks about the wonderful person she is underneath, that just has trouble showing because of the personality disorder. Imagine if you could help her. Imagine if she got a handle on it. She could be happy instead of miserable. And maybe, you could see what REALLY could have happened if you relationship was not sabatoged by this thing that was really beyond her control. You may even feel bad about abandoning someone who has no control over an hour illness that’s destroying her life.

Maybe you even have some issue you have to deal with. Depression? ADHD? Bipolar?. You feel for her. You understand the years of pain. The wondering why your not like everyone else. And driving everyone that cares away. Sometimes trying to get help that’s ineffective, other times reeling its a personal failing and imagining that maybe someday you will just “get a handle ” on it. And how your life changed when someone figured out what was wrong and you got proper treatment. Perhaps it even was some true friend in the end, that stuck with you, even when it was hard and helped you find treatment that turned things around.

But t
She is in no way like you. You have normal emtoins, perhaps just a little out of balance without treatment. But a characteristic of personality disorders is that maladjusted distortion of emotions and cognition.if you do have some issues, she chose you for that. It makes you easier to manipulate.

You want to help her because you care but you need to learn, that person you care about is a carefully constructed lie. She’s not that person, with these symptoms overplayed on top. She IS those symptoms. Its pervasive and all encompassing and integrated into the core of her being. Don’t try to wrap your head around it. You will never be able to make sense of her. Just understand, that person you cards about simply does not exist. She’s a fabrication. A fish on fly fisherman’s hook might as well ask where the big juicy insect he thought he had just bit down on went.

As such, there’s nothing you can do. Its not like someone whose depressed. Treatment fixes them and the person inside can show their true colors. Its not just a collection of symptoms that can be repaired.

We all formed into person we are over our lives. We learned to be goid people. Even those with some sort of issues usually do, it innate in most people to some greater or lesser extent. In fact, many if not most who have issues, become more compassionate about people like themselves.they often understand the idea that the person the world sees is not the person inside.

But that horrible abusive person you see. The one that repeatedly abused you. The one who would see the sort of pain she caused and just keep kicking you whole you were down. The one that perhaps would say things approximating an apology like “I’m sorry you had to go through that” (notice, its I’m sorry I did that, in fact, what the hell does “had to go through it” mean, you DIDNT have to. Its not uncontrollable, its abuse) That’s the real person. The sweet wonderful person that you occasionally saw is a fabrication. Its a lure to draw you in.

Stay away. There’s no drug that suddenly makes it all go away. The symptoms ARE her. Its not like the sorry of disorder where a drug boosts or suppresses a few neurotransmitters and suddenly a malfunctioning brain works again. Her brain works just fine. Its a software issue. And nothing fixes it. And if you try ,if you present her with a plausible and compelling argument, that she has a defective and badly maladjusted mind she, if she can’t manipulate you into taking it back and going back to the abuse cycle, she will show a level of rage such as you have never before seen or even imagined and do anything in her power to destroy you. Count you blessings and get as far away as you can.

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Florie
January 29, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Leave….I was with a narcissists…left once and went back for more hell! Why? I refused to believe he was really this mean and this way! I thought I could love him into the person I knew he could be. It ended up worse the second time. They never change…EVER! They keep raising the bar of expectations too and will completely drain your self-esteem! And when it’s over….they will set out to destroy you. Get out now! The longer you stay the harder it gets. Just my opinion. MRussell hits the nail on the head….PERFECTLY said…..Amen Hallelujah!!!!

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Robin
January 31, 2014 at 7:57 pm
I am in such despair over my narc husband. 36 years together and he discarded me like
an old shoe. He was on dating sites…..he fiked for a divorce when he met another woman and when I would not leave home he planted gun in my room and called police
to say I threatened. I was served restraining order and had to leave home. He then moved other woman in and packed my belongings up.
I am so profoundly sad and broken……we have a 33 year old son who had to literally pick his mother off the floor from all of this. I feel life is over for me. He was my home and my best friend. Now this woman is it for him.

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Lisa
February 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm
This is such an accurate description of the logic we try to create out of this hopeless, ruthless dysfunction that drains life out of you if you stay or keep going back. I kept trying to make sense out of it and when I finally put all the pieces together, it clearly spelled N-A-R-C-I-S-S-I-S-M. When I learned more about this disorder, I almost went into shock upon realizing what I was in the midst of for two years–thankfully it was “only” two years, but the effects were horrific.

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Lexia
June 12, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Jeff, the narcissist has a wonderful ability to make you feel that you are attached to them in such a way that is extraordinary, that the relationship you share with them can never be had with anyone else and you learn to see, to justify it to yourself, as a fact of life. They make you feel like they need you, and I don’t just mean simply need you; it is rather an insatiable desperation to have you there for validation and affirmation that makes you feel you are the only one who could possibly make them feel that way and also help them to see the light. If you reject them, it would represent some kind of death, to say the least the death of the illusion of their capacity to love and be loved which they so badly need to believe in. But it is not your responsibility to help them see themselves clearly and you will end up being embroiled in a tortuous losing battle. It is in my experience that you will not come out of this winning because the narcissist is driven by the need to outdo you and everyone else in the first place. It is all about number one. So perhaps it would be better for them to recognize the irony of being number one, which is self-responsibility. It should occur to them over a period of time that they have managed to create for themselves a long trail of failed relationships and that the reason it did not work out was because of them. It is their responsibility to take a long and difficult look at themselves and see that what is amiss was in thanks to their contributions all along. In this case, compassion is so important and so is feeling sorrow; however, it is vital that you break out of this or at the very least establish some safe distance in order to come to terms with the fact that you cannot go back. Jeff, I suggest you take that rejection as an opportunity to pack it and go, and go forever and never look back. The narcissist is a vacuum of chronic emptiness and the need to play the power game with you in which they will always come out with the upper hand. I would imagine that the humiliation and shame (the authentic emotions) of being exposed as someone with NDP would only be recognized as an affront to their ego which gives them more license to purge you the way they would purge everyone and everything for which they can find no utility.

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Maryanne
June 29, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Hi, I find your article very interesting. I just ended a four years three months relationship. I passed through alot and I am so angry with myself that I let my partner do things to me such as humiliated me in front of other women. I always helped him in so many ways. Unfortunately what I did was never enough. I tried so many times to leave him but it was not that easy ! He always did his best ta win me back and I was foolish enough to go back to him. I feel he took my strength out of me and he made me feel so insecure. I never trusted him 100% I had my doubts ( I knew he lied to me sometimes). Now I have to pick up my pieces put them together again and move on unfortunately it is not that easy. I am seeing a Psychotherapist to help me do that. I was a victim of a NPD partner.

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Rose
July 13, 2013 at 10:40 am
Hi, thanks for this extremely insightful piece. I had a relationship with someone I found out he had NPD after our relationship ended. The relationship lasted for about 7 years and was all in all painful since I had invested to much in it, even breaking up a marriage in a country I had just migrated to. I was left alone with my problems and even criticized for being sad and depressed after I realized what a disappointed case he was. He did absolutely nothing, except talking a lot but no action. He seemed to have a serious problem with “giving” and trusting others, and was emotionally cold even at times I was seriously sad and was expressing it. I always sensed there was something wrong emotionally with him, but could not find an answer. Apparently he went through years of therapy, but he never mentioned the real reasons of it. He mentioned the same issues raised in the article that people with NPD generally experienced with their parents. An emotionally needy parent with high expectations of success, as well as a parent who neglected him in early childhood. He even once raised this early childhood problem while with his parents just few years ago when he was in his mid 50s. I thought back then that this was not something normal. I tried to leave him few times but never really could since he had many other great qualities and I felt attracted to him. After my last leave, I came back to my country feeling sad and depressed. I then thought that perhaps I could try accepting him the way he is and the fact that he did not want children (even though at the beginning he promised me to have children). I returned back to the States just to find out he found someone else. I am still very much in pain on this issue, but try to think how painful my last years were, and that perhaps I should feel luck he found someone else. I always felt lonely and not being cared for (of course I can care for myself but in a relationship one wants to feel that the partner cares). He never accepted that fact and thought he gave so much. All he gave was lots of talking, and at time criticizing. Many times he was extremely insightful on a number of issues, but on the other side he was sort of emotionally cold and always totally absorbed with himself that made it impossible to feel happy.

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jay
January 16, 2014 at 3:54 pm
you just described my husband

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kathy
February 12, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Wow im so thankful to have found this page this morning, im at a loss i don’t know how to get away from this but all these stories are my life right now he is ripping away every last shred of self esteem i have ever had i am always alone and hurt he jeep taking off for the night or the weekend ugh someone help me

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Christine
January 22, 2014 at 9:22 am
I go back and forth. As I read your wonderfully insightful post – I am saying, ‘yes! my ex could not trust. Absolutely not. He was suspicious of my every move and motive. However, at the same time, he was so caring or at least he was able, masterfully, to make it look that way. And that’s where I get confused. He was very gregarious, he made everyone laugh, he had a beautiful body and was very handsome but had rather a small penis and was so insecure about it that he referred to his member constantly. It was the source of daily conversation. It was my job to prop him up. Sex was very controlling. He had to be on top. He was in a difficult divorce and took absolutely not one iota of support or advice from me and wound up without the ability to see his girls. It was devastating to him – and completely constructed by him. He would speak endlessly about how caring he was…I’ll never forget, ‘I’m so caring, too caring!’… yet when I was in the hospital he laughed at my difficulty and made jokes about not letting them use needles on me. (Contamination). Then he would turn around and tell me how pretty I was, and how fit, and what a great person I was, and how much he admired and respected me. And the next week we would be in a social gathering, and once a friend of his said something quite sexually explicit about me to him, he told me afterward what was said, but hadn’t set his friend straight in the moment, a great sign of disrespect to me. I should have let him go then. But because he told me how great I was and he was so beautiful to look at, I stayed. Who’s the narcissist? Me or him? Or are we both?

When he broke up with me he would not tell me why, only that he realized he could not make a life with me. Within the month he was with a new woman, much younger than me. It sent me reeling for months. I felt like I didn’t belong on the planet. It was awful, trying to discern what was mine and what was his, and how I had fallen into this cycle and what I needed to do to become aware so it would never happen again.

I think the key for me is to remain true to myself. As soon as I see that there is behavior that doesn’t sustain or support, question compassionately and see what happens. If the outcome is deeper intimacy = great, if it creates havoc and a moving away from = then it’s out of bounds and time to move on.

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Naam
May 6, 2014 at 12:42 am
His name didnt happen to be Carlos?

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Andi
February 19, 2014 at 12:23 am
That sounds like a Narcissistic Love Avoidant.

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Jen
July 20, 2013 at 2:32 am
My partner and I have been together for 13 years. I have issues of my own that I have been working on and each time I thought I had an understanding of myself I would have relationship issues that made everything collapse. I have now been exploring my partners issues to see how the dots connect. At the very least he is a male chauvinist but I suspect some narcissism tucked away in there somewhere. The relief for me is that my individuation process is still intact. The extra issues that threw me are not mine. However now that I can emotionally separate the two how do I go about helping him whilst still preserving our relationship and myself?

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Sylvia
July 21, 2013 at 1:22 pm
I do not get it, I left my hubbie after 25 years of marriage, was fine with the separation proceedings and moving out into a new home and starting a new chapter in my life. But now only 2 months into the separation, he is beginning a new relationship and apparently introduced our children to the new person. My heart is bursting into pieces and I feel like a piece of shit. Why does this news about a new person just hurt so much, when originally I felt confident about things working out ok with taking a step away from a relationship in which I felt like an appliance and lonely anyway!? It sounds like my separated husband is making this news public in his dance club and is out celebrating his BD with friends his “new” and two of our little kids who are at home right now. I had asked him to wait, introducing a new person to our kids, but he did not respond to my request and so I said to him that this makes me think that he will not wait, and again, no response from him…. the implications seem clear. Am I insane or what that this makes my head spin and I feel like losing my mind!? Part of what I do not get is that I have invested 25 years of my life into an unfulfilled marriage, and he does not even give it 2 months to grief the loss of it. Is this all, my commitment was worth to him? Maybe, I am insane…

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 7:07 pm
No, you’re not insane.

What’s happening is that you are imagining that he and this other woman are having the dream relationship you always wanted with him and he probably promised you at the start.

You can stop imagining now. They won’t. You know him, how he thinks and feels. He is not capable of love, only of faking it short-term. Imagine them together for years, and be realistic. What are the chances that she won’t end up feeling like an appliance?

Don’t worry about the kids, either. They know which parent is and was always there for them.

Now put your heart back together and stop feeling like shit–you don’t deserve it. Good luck!

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Cynthia
January 3, 2014 at 4:14 am
Hi Karen,
Myself and my family have been and are still in the grips of a narcicistic bastard. He was divorced from my daughter for over a year now, but shares custody with their 7-year-old son. The poor child is so emotionally abused by him, it breaks my heart to see it. His father fits the entire description of a narcicist to a tee. He accuses us (Grammie and Grampa) of horrendous terrible things. We love our grandson so much. He threatens legal action all the time, and has absolutely no basis for anything. One of the problems is that he and his family are affluent, have much money. We are not, for if we were, we could hire a good lawyer and fight for full custody. I have been driven to physc. therapy to help cope. I am often very driven to tears by him, and my nickname for him is “Satan on earth”. No matter how hard I try to understand him, I just can’t. My daughter (his ex-wife) has to deal with him regularly. I could go on and on here about how miserable this man has made me and my family, but I am just getting angrier thinking about him. He is so horrible.

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Karen Wehrstein
January 4, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Hi Cynthia:

While I know a lot about narcissism, I am not a lawyer or child welfare expert. However my thought here is (assuming you live in the USA) to approach Child Protective Services and ask what can be done. If CPS is anything like the Children’s Aid Society (same function) in Canada, where I am, they offer support as well as removal of kids from dangerous homes. Calling them is free, and if the abuse is sufficiently severe that they feel he’s in danger, your daughter could end up with 100% custody for free.

Good luck!

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sharde
January 13, 2014 at 6:08 am
Thank you so much for what you said. you have just answered everything about this useless 15 year relationship I have been a victim of.

He is also an alcoholic, did I mention mean? He hes controlled my life, stopped me from having friends and family, I hate this SOB! I’m outta here…

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kathy
February 12, 2014 at 6:04 pm
this too is him and i omg how do we get ourselves back our self worth and dignity

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Nanthanial Smith
January 23, 2014 at 7:37 am
Your not insane. It is natural for a person to still have feelings about someone after being with him or her for such a large percentage of your life. The challenge is finding a way to break the mental attachment in order to regain your emotional independence. You have to remember that even though your not in the relationship anymore, the senses of him has not went away. Simply move on one day at a time and before you know it he’ll just be a thought from the past. Take care !!

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Sylvia
July 21, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I feel like being ripped into pieces and am lost with almost no social network, almost all my friends used to be my husband’s friends. Why am I so scared that this next relationship may fulfill my spouse and make him happy – something, I had wished for, hoped for and fought for for so many years. How did you guys make it through this most initial time of feeling cut off from your most immediate significant other and the rest of the world – with no real foundation of positive feed back at all. Maybe I am the one who suffers from NPD…

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 7:26 pm
I depended on my friends. They got me through, bless them!

You say *almost* no social network–why do I suspect that he worked to isolate you?–but that still means you’ve got some degree of it. Use it, and expand it.

Narcissists are unfulfillable, ultimately–that’s why you wished, hoped and fought for it futilely for so long. Now some other poor woman is going to have that problem. Don’t be scared she’ll be perfect for him, feel sorry for her. No one is perfect enough for a narcissist.

Oh and people with NPD don’t worry that they have NPD. You don’t. Best wishes!

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Kimberly
July 25, 2014 at 8:27 am
Hi Sylvia, it’s been a year since your post and wondering how you are doing. I could totally relate to what you said.
Married for 18 years and finally got the courage to file. I filed because it was 20 years of pure hell. When he told me he forged my name on documents that finally did it for me among the many other issues. Five days after I filed I learned that he flew his high school girlfriend to Vegas and met her there. I learned this 2 months later after I received copies of his credit card statements from my attorney. Two months later he took my 2 kids to her hometown without my knowledge to meet her and her 2 kids. One month later after that he flew her here to look at homes together and while she was here my ex mother in law through a huge party (that was on my daughters birthday to cover it up) to introduce their new relationship to EVERYONE.
I felt empowered when I filed and felt relief that it was over even though I was very sad when he left but I knew I had to get out for my health and sanity. When I found out about her my world came crushing down on me. I could not function. I sat there in tears for months and shaking and couldn’t believe this was happening. I gave him all of me (big mistake and something you should never do) and he sucked the life out of me. I have now learned his is a master manipulator, has NPD and I believe bi-poler. I hope someone can relate to my story.
I got pregnant before we married. He did not want this baby. I said I am keeping my baby and you can stay or leave. He stayed but after the dating honeymoon was over and I was pregnant he started going out with friends and drinking more. As I got more and more pregnant my fears set in and I married him. ( I took the ring off several times before I said I do) The next 5 years he did what he wanted to do and I was just a fixture that cooked cleaned and took care of my daughter. Domestic abuse happened when he was drunk and he made me feel that it was my fault. I stayed like a fool. He made me move into his aunts house to save money after the baby was born but that was just so he had more money to spend. I felt alone, sad, drained and trapped for the next 5 years. I wanted out back then but then I got pregnant again. He harassed me to abort my baby for the next 8 months. I was physically sick from the mental and emotional abuse. I cried and cried and had to buy my crib myself just weeks before I delivered. At about 5 months pregnant I wasn’t feeling well and went to the Dr. She told me I need to go on antibiotics because I had a bacterial infection from my husband cheating. The medicine made me double over with horrible cramping, he gave me not once ounce of empathy and denied any cheating of course. I had my beautiful son and I don’t remember my husband there much or being very thrilled.
They say Karma is a bitch… My daughter was 5 and my son was 11 months when I got the worst phone call of my life. My husband was in a very bad accident. His dad picked me up and drove me to the hospital. The Dr.came out and I remember a team of nurses standing in a circle around me as I held my son. “Your husband is paralyzed” Another very sad moment for me. I stayed with him for the next 12 years and nursed him back to health. Oh yes, I’m a very extreme giver and did it all. He knew i could handle it and thats why it worked for him. There was no thank you, no gratitude, no hugs and kisses. I was bought. I was now his nurse, caretaker, hired help. He even spoke to me in the third person.
He was able to open a very successful business in his trade and made big bucks. He made so much money that he was now GOD. He was indestructible and i had better not get in his way as nothing was my business anymore. My business was to do his laundry cook and clean. He gambles with extreme amounts of money, He purchased many many many items as his possessions that just sit there. He collects things to fill his void. He did buy my nice gifts but that was only the keep me happy for a moment. He has lied cheated and manipulated his way to the top. I was nothing no more. He had found his fix. He manipulated me to feel sorry for him in the wheelchair, that he couldn’t do anything for himself (but he actually could and got around just fine and bought a sports car) and soon had the kids on board waiting on him. It’s was the xxx xxx show. It was all about him and his stuff and the wife and kids that stuck by his side and took care of him and loved him were just servants, fixtures in the house so that there was no loneliness for him and used us and controlled us so that he would feel good sense about himself like his getting the job done. He did not want therapy after his accident and I tried but he refused.

Back to the girlfriend (fiancé). He ended up buying the same type of house we lived in but right around the corner, for him, her and her 2 kids. He bought her the same car that I have but In a different color. It’s decorated the same way I decorate. He bought her flowers and jewelry from the same places her bought for me. Takes her to our same vacation spots and same hotels. (very creepy) (how do I know this? I see bank statements and my son sees pics on Instagram that girlfriends son posts)
We were divorced 3 months ago due to the bifurcation he wanted and got granted so that he can marry her and now we are awaiting trial for assets so it’s still not over.
So much more in between it would be a novel here. I just wasn’t ready to leave before I actually did. I can be mad at myself for waisting my life with him but I prefer now to learn and use this as a valuable lesson learned, in the journey of life. Yes it really sucks and hurts bad at times still but I understand more now about what kind of person I married and what kind of person i divorced and what I will tolerate in life with anyone else. Your not going to listen to someone who says run until your ready to run but I believe everyones story here can be so helpful and useful in making that decision. NPD is very distructive.

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Yoli
July 24, 2013 at 2:48 pm
My fiancée of 2 years, been together for 3, and I moved in together a year ago. I feel as though, I was wooed initially into this living arrangement, but because I had been married before, I wanted to know we were compatible. I have to admit, I’d already suspected he might have a personality disorder, but I couldn’t peg it. It seems if it doesn’t have anything to do with him directly, he doesn’t care. My home for instance, he thinks nothing of it to abuse it or not maintain what I’ve established. I did not get it at 1st because I wanted him to feel welcomed. He doesn’t participate socially, if it is not his idea or if someone else’s light shines brighter than his. Otherwise, he retreats to a corner and sulks. It is very embarrassing. I have learned to ignore him and not make excuses.

Much of what you posted, has been very helpful. Thank you for sharing and continue to post. My question is, how to get him out of my house? I don’t want to continue down this road.

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Sheree
July 26, 2013 at 12:31 pm
I have been married to a man who fits this description- the problem I have is that he has become VERY successful and everyone we know, especially my children, have benefitted from his success…he has woven a very intricate web in which everyone is dependent on him for $, tickets to concerts, games, etc., boating, parties, etc…I have been separated from him over a year and to move on I need to be willing to start over with new friends, new home, new town, etc…he basks in all the attention, even from our children, and I am left with nothing…

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Elena
July 29, 2013 at 3:35 pm
For Jen: You CANNOT help him. You CAN help yourself. I have been living with narcissistic husband for 15 years. All my question were answered when I have learned what narcissism is. I have left him with 3 children and a Protection order in my hands. After 4 month he moved back with me with my permission. Yes, I was wounded, Yes, I was stressed but I am giving him another chance knowing that I am not available to help him (as you know I have done everything for him and more but it was never enough). What I know is that I am available to help to ME. I know why I am in this relationship, I know kids adore their father, I know how to create my strong boundaries, I know how to take care of my well-being. It works. But only if you will start loving yourself and stop pleasing your surrounding. Good luck to all of you!

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lyn
August 16, 2013 at 7:40 pm
I can identify with all of u.i was involved with a narcissist for 4 years. I remember all the attention he gave me to suit his needs,charm,exaggeration s,grandiosity, that hooked me.as time went on i saw how needy, manipulative, controlling, in denial,jealous,insecureimmature threatening,lying,noncompassionate,selfcentered …he really was.
I realized he was destroying me but loved that i was a strong, independent womanall for his use.
He still tries to use distorted,sick tactics to win me back.
Taking care of yyourself and not them is the only way out.no expectations, hope and no more disappointment.

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Beth
December 30, 2013 at 4:55 am
Oh my God. EXACTLY what you said about being pursued sought after in the beginning is the total case with me. I am a picky dater looking for a man of character and a man of strong faith that is combatable with mine. I think as we all know it is hard to come by someone who has all the ‘good qualities’ and is not already married. So, when I was introduced to this “knight in shining armor” by my sibling’s co-worker (it was the co-workers nephew,) I was so happy I finally found a “great guy.” We actually did long distance and we would visit frequently but it took even longer to see the problems. By the time he got me in so deep into the love phase, that’s when his true colors started coming out.

He had been married before but the ex left him for his cousin. (I know, very Jerry Springer…) However, because I knew the family who introduced us, I believed his story on how she left him because he didn’t make enough money and his cousin was extremely wealthy, and she was mean and abusive, blah blah blah. It wasn’t until I caught and confronted him on “liking” many seductive models in bikinis on facebook that he FLIPPED out on me, started calling me his exes name saying “get away; ____insert ex’s name here___ and every terrible degrading thing you could ever call a woman and f-me, etc… It was then I started to see I felt bad for his ex, and not him. He Painted her as some monster, when really he was the monster in it all. If he was so great and the poor innocent lamb then she wouldn’t have left him. He was the abuser and she probably wouldn’t put up with it. We were in his uncle’s house where he was staying a few nights, he started yelling and slamming doors at me because I confronted him as nice as I possibly could asking why he took my friend and I out and buy bottles of wine and food and didn’t even offer to pay. He got mad because money is obviously something they fought on before and he came from a “poorer” family and eventually told me because I made more, I should pay. (Now, I am all about paying and treating my man, but early in a relationship, especially when you see each other not often because you are long distance, in the beginning, he should have paid, or at least let me know he wanted me to pay without ordering everything expensive and telling us to “get whatever we wanted’ when he had no intention of paying for it!) The list went on and on, and I used to judge people that were being manipulated and controlled, and it was a big wake up call. I am sorry I ever did and I realize that they get you so warped into thinking they are God’s gift to people, and they go for the ones that are very trusting and naïve with good hearts and intentions. Victims think that everyone “thinks like we do” and that who they were in the beginning is their true self even though later the evidence is no. I kept saying, “but he has so many good qualities, we have fun, he’s smart and a good leader (more like dictator,) he loves God and prays and he thinks he’s good so he must be and I must be the problem to judge him.” What a sicko. I actually prayed and prayed to God telling God: Lord, I am not strong enough to break up, please please please have him break up with me first. (I know I should have left him, but I didn’t want to be the bad guy and have him hate me. Who cares what he thinks, he is a jerk!) Anyways, although the relationship was only a year, it was long enough.
Also, he saw me as a good opportunity since I was “educated”, had a good job, loyal and he found attractive. However, he found many other women attractive too and when we were together as time went on, he would be stealing glances all the time and would even check out my friends when we were out at night and he would say he was just looking because he couldn’t believe what they were wearing, and that I was always the problem.
Thank you for sharing everything. It makes more sense now and that these people actually are abusive and real and it is not just our imaginations.
My advice is to read the Psalms in the bible and pray that God give you wisdom and guidance to deal with the problem.

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foundmyself
February 22, 2014 at 11:32 am
Thank God I found myself after 1year n 10months of this selfish relationship I have been in. I put myself through drama for nothing. Alot of my time was wasted. My family and friends knew he was nasty n cheater but I guess they wanted me to find out on my own. He always talk about himself. He like alot of attention from women and people. I realize why cause his life is messed up. He dont have nothing to offer no one. I have come to realize he is a big user. He is a drug user. Never have money after pay day. He loves to talk you to death about his past relationships. Like that is really cool. Thats how I found out who he be texting every minute. But thats cool sharon can have him. Im done with the bull crap. I know I deserve better n more in a relationship. Melvin can kiss my tail n no longer a fool.

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Paula
August 25, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Sylvia, I am going through the exact same thing. I met my husband when I was 15 and have been with him for 18 years now. He has severe Narcissistic Personality Disorder and has been vile for 18 years. I have tried to leave him, sometimes he’s been gone for a few months but still has a hold on me because of our 3 kids. This time he’s met a woman and suddenly wants to pay for the kids which he has always refused to do because of all these men I am supposed to be sleeping with, and he wants to see the kids every weekend. I know this is all for her benefit. Its for show. I know he’s only interested in the kids when there’s something in it for him and I don’t want my children being affected any more than they have been by the way he is. But if I stop him, to the world I look bad. He’s making me out to be awful when its him. So why am I here crying after seeing a status she put on a social networking site about how wonderful he makes her feel, how special and loved. I don’t want him back, I can’t stand him so why am I so upset? According to him she is a real woman with a real woman’s body,not an ugly fat dog like me. Why do I always come off worse? I’m struggling to work, look after the kids, I’m left with debt and bills and a house that’s falling apart yet he comes out like a king and walks straight into a perfect relationship. I know this is what narcissists do but it doesn’t make it any easier in my head after I stuck it out for 18 years. That’s my entire adult life. I have no idea what it’s like to be loved. To feel love. I’ve never felt real affection. How can I move on? How can I trust anyone? I feel like I’ve been so damaged by him I can never be fixed.

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Gia
December 2, 2013 at 8:09 am
Their perfect relationship won’t last..He is trying to get back at you and when he figures out that you do not care-he will dump her.. Narcissists have to find weak minded individuals that believe everything they are told by them.. Stop letting him hurt you, find your own self worth..Never let another person determine the way you view yourself..Narcissists love to hurt people, that is what they are all about..
I have a son with my narcissistic ex, a son he shows no interest in..But he will whine and cry to any woman that will listen to him..He played his manipulative games for years, I ignored him and got on with my life..I am married to a non-narcissistic man now who is good to my son..The Narcissist has been forgotten, which bugs him no end..But that is the way the Narcissist winds up-Alone..He is a selfish, spoiled brat who will never change ..He refuses to grow as a person..But, we all choose our lives..Choose to be happy, stop thinking about how much he hurt you and start living today..

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Fillipa
July 22, 2014 at 2:31 pm
I think, the narcissist do something to us to prevent us ever put them behind. And i also think the most relationshios here lasted for so long. I have started to think maybe the relationships/ marriage which lasts longest is infact a NPD marriage. The place you get cought up in an evil circle that impossible to let go.

You say you are with a new guy who is kind and not a narcissist my question is, why are you searching on the internet about to find forums and discussions about narcissime? afte all you have been through and started a new relationship. Why would you still think about them? because they put their marks on us and we vill never be able to forget.

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Gia
August 2, 2014 at 6:51 am
I survived narcissism, perhaps I can encourage others to work their way through it..It is difficult, but you have to realize they are the ones with the problem..Why would I not be interested in helping others? Sounds rather selfish to just say -Ok I am better, forget about the others that are going through it..

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Shirley Fountain
December 4, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I get it. You must constantly remind yourself that this poor woman has no idea! She is going to get dumped and degraded and devalued too.

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Alisha
March 18, 2014 at 4:32 am
Paula, I am currently going through a similar situation. I met my husband when I was 14. We’ve been together ever since, 19 years, that is until last October when he left our home, our marriage and 4 children for his new girlfriend who he works with. She’s 10 years younger than he is but only about 5 years younger than me. At first I was devastated but I quickly pulled myself together. I started exercising everyday to deal with the stress of it all. And I started couples therapy alone. In fact I never intended for my husband to come with me. I realized that because I put up with his narcissistic crap for years I must have an issue with myself or at least with believing I deserve better than I was getting. The best thing you can do is move on with your life. Stop reading her online updates. Honestly, if she was as happy as she wants everyone to believe she wouldn’t have time to be online bragging about it. Trust me the best way to show them both up is to do well and be happy without him. As long as he thinks what he’s doing is hurting you he is content. Stop letting your life and your happiness be manipulated by him. If anything you should thank the new girl for setting you free. You are still young and there will be plenty of other men out there. After being with my ex for so long I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel after our break up, but 6 months later, I feel better, I look better and I am better. Its amazing the toll emotional abuse can have on you. My ex even noticed how much better I look and how much happier I am. So much so that he’s trying to come back. Now I appreciate the fact that he realizes what he left and I’m happy he can finally acknowledge the great wife he had, however, I can’t accept him back. I’ve done a lot of hard work on myself, mentally, emotionally and a little physically, so much so that the “new” me cannot have an unequally yoked man in my life. I am a stronger woman, a better mother and a better person. I deserve to be treated well and with love, care and concern. Something my husband couldn’t or wouldn’t give me. I am finding that perhaps he is incapable of that but it is no longer my problem, it’s his girlfriend’s. If she’s willing to accept a married man who left his home, his wife and 4 kids to work things out on their own, she can have him. She’ll learn her lesson soon enough. Now I don’t go wishing anything bad on her or him, I’m too busy enjoying my newly single life. I’ve started dating again and even found someone I like a lot. He shows no signs of narcissism which is new and amazing. It also shows me that my ex isn’t the only guy that would ever want me. Its been a long hard road but start building yourself up and taking care of yourself more. I’m sure that after many years with a narcissist your needs have gone unmet. Start taking care of you so you can get over him. Its also the best thing you can do for your kids, give them a strong mommy to help them through this time too. Stop thinking about him he already thinks about himself all the time anyways. I wish you the best of luck, love, joy and happiness.

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Suz
August 26, 2013 at 10:43 am
How interesting to read all of this..I can identify as I have been in a relationship with someone who displays so many of these characteristics. What hell this relationship has been and I am mentally exhausted. I used to feel I was going crazy and that it was my fault. We’ve been to counseling so many times which never helps as the therapist never sees his as he really is…He hides how he really feels and talks to me differently than when we were there. He constantly criticizes me and tries to make me feel I’m never good enough. They can’t be helped and the only person you can help is yourself. Now that I really recognize what the issue is, it helps but now need to get the strength to get out of the relationship. The thought of being alone is terrifying at this age even though I know you cannot rely upon a man for happiness.

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Lizzy
August 27, 2013 at 12:10 pm
I was with an NPD for almost 9 years off and on… I was with him in Highschool and for 7 years after highschool. He was my best friend and I will always always love him…

But the truth is, I was alone. I had a daughter (not with him) and was working 2 full time jobs, and going to school time and a half… I was homeless for a year and a half and he didn’t care. He was failing out of college (for which I was paying his tuition), he hadn’t had a job in almost 3 years because he would get hired for one… and was just too irresponsible to keep it for more than a week.
He was ambitious and had some wonderful ideas but part of his family just fed him all he needed to keep his narcissism going. His sister was a highschool drop out, his mother was a drug addict, his brother was a drug dealer… and all of them were narcissistic. His father wanted what was best for him… so he wound up shunned.

It took me a very long time to leave him, I’d tried so many times before but he would always pull me back in. I did everything for him… and while he would do a few small things for me here and there (like opening car doors)… that was about all he did. He was constantly ditching me, my needs didn’t matter and my accomplishments were put down… I was working myself to death and I was never appreciated. He was even physically abusive and I was unable to be myself in a relationship where I had given my all…
When I finally left him, I had just graduated with 2 degrees and 3 certifications and I’d landed a job in my career field… He didn’t show up to my graduation and when I broke up with him… he let his drug addict mommy do all the talking for him…

I came away from that relationship smiling and I was happy… I was finally free…

Until I met someone else and fell very quickly into all of his wonderful qualities that my ex lacked… it wasn’t until then that I realized how much damage my ex had done…
While I was able to be myself with the new guy, and felt totally comfortable and safe… he told me I was trying too hard, I tried to overcompensate when I did something wrong and I was way too hard on myself…

I realized just how afraid I was in any relationship after getting out of such a terrible one. Im a strong person, and when I came out holding my head high… I thought I was okay and undamaged… BOY WAS I WRONG!

I new exactly who I was but I felt like I wasn’t good enough, I wasn’t pretty enough, and I was never going to be enough… I’d accomplished a lot of things that I should have been proud of… but I was left with this feeling of emptiness… he stole my soul, he took my personality, and he totally ruined my spirit… I wanted so bad to give someone else the benefit of the doubt and trust them… convinced that not everyone was the same as my ex…

but once the new guy would do something that I didn’t understand… I was nothing but a pile of emotions… (how could I be so stupid to believe in someone else? what was so wrong with me? why in the hell would I subject myself to that again? Was my ex right… was I really such a terrible person? And should I just go back to him because I’ll never get better?)… the truth is… just about anyone I could find was better… even just laughing with another person made me feel like I mattered. It had been so long since I smiled, or laughed, or felt like I genuinely mattered that everything was so exhilarating …

It is very hard to move on from something like this… but it is very possible… The best I can recommend for all of you is that you realize that YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME! You ARE worthy of something better and you WILL find something better… even if you’ve hung your hat on that person and thought you would always be together…

Just remember that not everyone is like that… and try to find someone that can empathize with your past relationships and help you work through damage that has been done… maybe not even a new significant other… but even just a friend, to remind you that you are wonderful and that you will be okay… life is too short to spend it miserable and knocked down by someone who never cared in the first place.

Good luck to you all!

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Patty
August 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
Good morning,

I have read through all of the posts and I am left wondering is it me or is it him. I have been in a relationship for 8 years, and I can honestly say it has not been the best years of my life. I just recently admitted that I am not happy. I cannot go on like this; I have been drinking more than ever, smoking more than ever, and most of all I have been feeling as though I am going crazy.

Quite frankly I am sick and tired of not being entitled to my feelings. When things have gone wrong in the relationship and I stated my feelings the reply back is “you should not feel that way, I did not mean for you to feel that way.” My live-in boyfriend has all the traits of a narcissist however I wonder how many of the traits I possess. I am a person that believes in self-help, reading, meditation, walking, gym, etc… however lately I feel like I cannot get out of my own way. My thoughts are convoluted, to the point I am becoming suspicious. I have been constantly looking for proof that he is not what he wants everyone to believe he is.

My partner always devalues my feelings with answers such as, “now you know how I feel”, even though he knows my hurt feelings were due to him. Another example is he throws my feelings in my face and accuses me of being crazy because I was hurt and I can’t let it go. I am by no means perfect but I do want to feel better mentally – I want to shift my focus on the right things but I am having such a hard time sorting things out.

My partner loves to do things for others such as our widowed neighbors and I have no problem with this but when there are things to be done in our home; well I guess I have some issues with that. He constantly tells the neighbors/friends how proud he is of me, how hard working I am, and how I am such a good mother to MY son. I have asked him not to glorify me to others in front of me because it makes me uncomfortable but he continues to do it.

One of the biggest things that just happened is that I voiced to him that I am not happy with my behavior and I cannot go on like this anymore. I need to stop avoiding the obvious and start taking care of the issue. I had told him I was very ashamed of myself for acting the way I have been and with that being said if I don’t do anything about it then I am a weak person and I need more help than I thought. Now I know that will be thrown in my face at a later date but I cannot let that stop me from moving forward. Less than 24 hours later he is trying to act as though I never said how unhappy I am with myself. Again I am left wondering is it him or is it me? I am so confused; however I will address issues one at a time until I find the paved road to travel down.

I wish all of you the very best!

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Tina
August 30, 2013 at 6:21 am
Hello
I first need to say. That I am very thankful for all of the posts .I finally do not feel so alone anymore.I guess you could say that all of you in the prior posts have validated my feelings, and that maybe I am not so crazy after all. But To PATTY right above me .I feel like you were telling my story.right down to wondering if it is All ME (because sure thinks so).so I wont go into much into detail because she said it for me (thx) .I have come to the conclusion that in my case its 50/50. We have been together for 16 years and things were ok up until about 2 years ago.it was not perfect for sure but we were always the couple who seemed to get along the best .looking back the change started when we had a string of bad luck (people dying, job changes, car accident) and I needed him emotionally. I have always been real strong, but was falling apart and needed him .but he was not there .it seemed like he was not comprehending what I was saying and had no empathy at all . that pissed me off because I have always helped him through stuff .Anyway I started to get and stay angry .until I was always angry .I tried explaing to him how I felt and he took it as critisism then he got angry .and .boy things went bad fast ..as my confidence went south. I became more needy .and I wanted him to do things for me and be there for me .but I guess he was “discarding” me .because I did not do crap for him anymore…so he moved on to other parts of the family to get his needs met. NOTsexually just like doing things for him , feeling sorry for him .getting them to believe I was going crazy..it was bad ..I truly feel that I was talking to him differently and that helped (what I think he has) his narcissism come out big time..or at least i could see it now…..I dont want divorce. Because things werent always like this and i love him…I am hoping that working on me and becoming strong again will help the marriage . (If not at least I will have the confidence to be ok without him).so we will see. A couple of days ago I learned what narcissism was about and so many questions have been answered. I think I see light at the end of the tunnel cause its been a dark lonely road .. I am sorry if I babbled or got off subject too much .but writing this has helped me out a whole lot..so thank you for taking the time for me

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Lynn Brooks
January 12, 2014 at 7:17 pm
I have been married to an NPD for almost 45 years. I finally ran from him after 25 years but have not been able to divorce. I can’t tell you how many years of therapy I went through due to his constant need to put and keep me down. I could never do anything right, or was never good enough. I could write my own book. His constant lack of empathy and compassion for me and my 3 sons left me deeply scarred with a feeling that I was crazy, and actually was given some nasty mental health diagnosis. I still fight that label as I truly began to believe it, and the scars haven’t fully faded away. Don’t try and stay. He has you deep in his grip. I related to many posts here but the end of yours struck me to the core. Stop being sorry for your feelings, that is the abuse screaming out. After all these years I still take pause when I feel “sorry” for something I did or said. You will never move on being sorry for your life. Don’t make my mistake because he will never let go of his need for power over you. There are good people out there that you will seldom have to say that you are “sorry” for babbling or being too emotional. In time you may find yourself thinking and saying THANK YOU for loving “Me”, I really am a valuable viable person. My husband’s favorite phrase is “If I were you I’d…….” We aren’t them and are entitled to be ourselves despite our perceived flaws.

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nelly
August 31, 2013 at 11:13 pm
My name is nelly, My husband of 25 years has NPD, just found out 4 years ago by my Psychologist, it is a relief to know there is a name for this,I also been through hell and back. My Psychologist explained to me its not uncommon for victims to stay with someone with NPD they play mind games for there food source, and self gratification she explained to me, it is called Cycle of Abuse, example Your partner one day is loving, nice, caring they make you feel happy, all good for One day or weeks, then he starts to pick on you for small not important things, he of course makes it out to be a big deal, he explodes into a rage, abusing your making you feel worthless and stupid, he could give you the silent treatment, then when feels like it, can carry on like nothing had happened. while you feel sad, depressed and confused, when you confront his actions and tell him how you feel, he says you are starting an argument, no empathy in his part, so the Cycle of abuse can go for months or years, like in my case this has been happening to me in all these years, I am reading more information and getting my self esteem back, getting stronger to leave him and start a new chapter in my life.
I wish the very best to everyone.

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Kathy
September 19, 2013 at 10:44 pm
I’m now married 24 years in the beginning I was a snuggler in the bed and I will always remember him telling me how badly he needed that. To hold him close. He was driven by his parents to be successful,all of his siblings are successful and dysfunctional and our nieces and nephews are either struggling with love and dysfunctional. I watched my mother in law be overly favorite to one son and downright despise the others because they were “too success full” and acted “hoyty toyty”. When some of her kids would visit with grand kids she would raise the thermostat to 85 degrees and make them so uncomfortable, if someone got up in the middle of the night to lower the temp she was right there to stop it. This was a woman that went to church every day and truly loved Jesus with all her heart but she had no real love for her own. My husband is severely narcissistic and I am constantly struggling with it, I know that I have to nurture myself and I come from an extremely loving family and for that I am so grateful. My husband struggles with the death of his parents even though he does not say it,and he has nothing to do with my parents who are 80 and 78. Lots of days I wish my husband would just die and join his parents in heaven. He has no use for me except to work our very successful business and it is the MONEY and my own sense of self that I have this work to keep me focused on my customers, and I find solace on spending gobs of money on my own family. With the money I give to charity and spend as much on my family as possible in case I die first. I would love for my husband to love me but he is not capable he loves himself way too much. All he talks about is him. I will stay because the business is half mine and I realize that. I constantly need to feed myself self love to get thru and I have my own family who loves me dearly. All human beings NEED 3 things: to be loved, to be wanted and to be affirmed. My husband does not want my love anymore he has all the love he needs with himself, because that is what he was raised with. He is a true pity. An old supervisor of mine from many years ago drilled into me that “working people are happy people”. No truer words were ever spoken. If your trapped like I am find your happiness in others and doing for others, if you can be a help to someone else it will help you more.
My husband is selfish with time,money,affection,and anytime he see’s me happy he tries to ruin it. How pathetic is that! I now know him for what he is and I still have dreams of leaving him, and when the business sell’s maybe I will. But for now I will persevere because my customers and my job are more important than him. I guess I’m lucky? That way but it sucks.

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Astrid
September 25, 2013 at 2:57 am
Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences on this site. I am astounded at the number of times I would read what someone has written and think, this is exactly how I felt. Your heartache resonated with me and I felt it may be beneficial for someone out there to hear my story. I was in a relationship for ten years, married for four to a man who was charismatic, confident, intelligent, gorgeous and who loved me in the ways I wanted to be loved. He was popular and social and we were the very much in love couple who could always be relied on for making everyone laugh and have a good time. We travelled the world together, living overseas and having so many amazing adventures. Then life started to get in the way… He went from being a high earning banker to being unemployed and unable to find work for almost two years, then my best friend, my beautiful Mum passed away. This presented a very difficult time for us. Despite being close to my Mum he never once cried. He held me as I cried, but never showed any empathy. Through my grief I didnt really register his lack of genuine sadness until later on. I have always been a strong, independent woman… I had never needed him. Suddenly. I needed him emotionally and he was absent. As always I made up excuses for him. He came from an extremely dysfunctional family. His mother and father were never married. His father had five sons to four different women in quick succession. He grew up with his mother’s boyfriends attempting to offer some sort of role model. His mother often neglected him, leaving him alone as a small child, he was physically abused when he made mistakes and her expectations of him constantly high. When he was eleven his mother had another son to a man she did marry. This meant the end of his mother’s attention and is the time in history when I believe his foundation for NPD was truly formed. Then seven months after my mother passed away we fell pregnant, something we had planned and we had been talking about for ten years. Even though I knew he was apprehensive I was convinced he would love this child as much as he did me. His manipulation of me was so strong he had me constantly believing what I wanted to… But things went wrong. At 8 weeks we found out our precious little baby had no heartbeat and we would miscarry. This broke my heart, having lost my Mum and now my baby. It was at this point things changed. He went from loving me to hating me in the blink of an eye. For two weeks I struggled, knowing I was waiting to lose our baby who I thought (in my head) we both wanted so very much… He made me believe this, even keeping a diary to give to our baby when it arrived. At this time I was suffering from a bowel obstruction and bruised ribs due to a persistent cough. I was the most unwell I had ever been in my life and eventually I broke down in tears and told him I needed him to be there for me, to be strong for me because I wasn’t coping. I had never used these words before. He then turned to me and said he no longer wished to be a husband, a father, or in a monogamous relationship. I just stood there in disbelief. What?! I was at the lowest point in my life and he decides this is the best time to end our relationship and walk out on me. I kept wishing it to be different for months afterwards. I kept asking myself how the man I had loved and adored could be so callous and cruel. He has never once since his announcement asked me how I am. I had to miscarry with our baby on my own. I had to pick up the pieces of my shattered life. I kept asking myself over and over again how could he do this to me? I loved and adored him with all of my heart and soul and i always believed he felt the same. I have done a lot of reading since and spent many hours working with my therapist. I never thought I would need a therapist!!! She has helped me immensely to see the destructive forces of a person who has NPD. I can look back and see so many clear signs, but at the time I didn’t even know what NPD was. The funny thing is, he knew … And he worked damn hard to mask it and pretend. He told me he pretended to want the baby. He told me he would never love anyone as he had loved me… Right up until the last second he was still manipulating me. He tried to destroy me, to savage me like a wild animal until I could no longer function. He couldn’t handle no longer being my only priority in life, he couldn’t handle someone else getting my attention or me ‘needing’ him. Then he tried to take me to court to demand his ‘entitlements’ – he wanted 50% of EVERYTHING including my personal jewellery, my superannuation etc… Despite not having worked for two years, he wanted half of everything. I had worked two jobs and supported him emotionally. My lawyer settled out of court with him but again it broke my heart. Finally, 15 months later we are officially divorced. He has at no point made any attempt to apologise for his actions. He doesn’t speak about what happened between us to any of his friends or family. He has carved a new life which seems to have completely erased my existence. My advice is to get as far away from these people as possible and yet in writing this I know I never could have walked away from him because I loved him… Luckily for me he took this decision away from me. We only have one life and I will not allow what he has done to me to be the dominating influence in my future. I want to be truly loved for who I am and I want to share my future with someone who has the same dreams… Not someone who is pretending to be the person they think they should be. People with NPD are the masters of this and as a victim of one I know how vitally important it is to live each day knowing we are all responsible for our own actions and I did not deserve to be treated like this. We all need to remind ourselves we are important and we matter too.

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Beth
December 30, 2013 at 5:22 am
OMG, mine told me all the time “No one will ever love you more than I do” and “No one will ever know you like I do, I know you from the tip of your head to your toes.” He said this in “cutesy” ways when things were good, so when I was happy, I stored it in my mind like “wow he does know me so well, it’s so wonderful to have this connection.” And yes, as time went on I was the one doing all the paying bc he is changing careers and “if I was all in it for him and not my selfish self then I should be willing to do whatever it takes to be with him.” Of course when I met him he portrayed that he made all this money owned an airplane (which turned out to be with 5 other guys but he said it like it was his own personal jet or something) and that the husband should be the provider and wife works only if she wants to, however he was using me and my money to enjoy the lifestyle he wanted.

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Valarie
February 4, 2014 at 12:34 pm
I haven’t come across a story so similar to my own since I began researching this condition. After delivering our baby stillborn on December 1st, my ex told me he no longer wanted to be a dad (I have a 9 year old from a previous relationship that he had long referred to as our son) and couldn’t be with me. He walked out of our lives almost 2 months ago. I’ve received 2 texts from him during that time, business like about finances. it’s unreal.The sad part is, I can’t hate him. I can’t hold onto any of the flashes of anger that swell up when I think of how neglectful and self righteous he was during our relationship, especially while I was on bed rest for the last 2 weeks. Just want to stop obsessing over this. I’ve read and read and it’s like I’m addicted to learning more.

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Helena
April 29, 2014 at 11:59 am
I used to go to sleep with Sam Vaknin playlists on to deprogram myself . After some time I needed more positive messages and switched to Eckhart Tolle videos. Knowledge is key.

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Astrid
July 4, 2014 at 7:30 am
Dear Valarie,
My heart reaches out to yours and gives you a big, warm hug. I cannot imagine how you must be feeling after losing your precious baby. You and your son are better off without this person in your life. You need to find a way of loving yourself…. Remembering how you and your son matter the most. I could not feel anger for a long time and when I finally did (about 2 years later) I could laugh. I will never stop wondering about him, and how he possibly lives every day with the knowledge of how he treated me…. However, the energy it takes to think about this is exhausting. I have been over everything in my mind, I have looked through every picture, every video, including our wedding day and I cannot see a single sign about who he truly was… There were moments when his actions definitely showed indicators of narcissism but I didn’t know what it even was. He is now happily living his grandiose lifestyle with a beautiful looking girl to feed his supply (yes, I googled him)…. It makes me feel utterly sick on one hand, there is a desperate plea inside of me to warn her but there is part of me which feels relieved. I hope one day for you the pain of this experience will not be so piercing, each day you need to dedicate yourself to your own happiness…you deserve to feel happy, something which narcissist cleverly deny us from feeling. Best of luck with your journey ahead.

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shatteredheart
March 10, 2014 at 7:51 pm
Astrid,
You made a point in your post that kicked on a BRIGHT spotlight for me… THANK YOU!! You said” he made the decision for you, that you would have never left because you loved him”. I can see that this is true for me. He did me a favor, because even though I knew he was selfish and demanding in many ways, he was still in the “putting me on a pedestal phase”. I was still the woman “he had always wanted”. I was “the woman you can take around family and friends and be proud of, yet when your in the bedroom your a porn star” I took this as a compliment because that is how I see myself, I suppose. He would tell me 1000 times ” Clearly you are the one, there is no doubt in my mind” ” Clearly ,YOU are the one”. So I know in my heart, I would have never left… because I BELIEVED this and wanted this to be true so BADLY!!
I had been in a very ABUSIVE (physical, verbal, emotional Abuse) relationship before and had to move to a different state just to save my own life. I told him things that were very personal and private regarding things that I had experienced and how it had effected me. Now I can see where he used this information to figure out my weak spots and when the time was right, go in for the kill. He was future faking and manipulating me right up to the very last second before he turned, looked at me & ripped the earth from beneath my feet. There were a few brief instances of devaluing, small little comments really that I mistook as getting to know each others ways… But when he decided to flip the switch, he did so hard and fast. In one day, my future switched from goals I was looking forward to reaching together with the man I loved, to a huge dark empty hole.
I do realize that I have abandonment issues, as well as being co-dependent and more than likely addicted to love. I will love & hang on & work till I can’t give anymore to show someone I care or will be faithful to them… when in REALITY this is what I want for myself so badly. However I don’t feel loved or “OK” when I’m not in a relationship. I feel lonely, anxiety and fear. I have worked on this for a long time and have calmed many of my fears. The problem is that I showed my weak spots and handed him the tools with which to destroy me, my self esteem, and confidence. I trusted him 100% and had so much admiration and respect for who I thought he was, so that when it all came down 3 weeks ago, I was not only devastated by the loss of friendship and the love he had showered me with daily… but I also lost confidence in being able to trust my own judgement in seeing a person for who and what they really are. =(
I was feeling slightly better last week, but 2 days ago I saw him and spoke with him. He was so cold and looked at me like I was a stranger. (He used to look at me with the most glowing smile and with such love in his eyes) Now just a blank, cold stare. It crushed me all over again. He made a point to let me know it was all my fault and the he could never forgive me… but for what, he could not say. He also made it a point to say he was not seeing anyone else…However later that evening I called his cell phone and his Ex GF answered his phone. He is a liar and even though he is actively hooking up with someone else doesn’t have the guts to say so?? I am angry now, but the hurt still remains. I realize that NO CONTACT is the only way to heal from this deep pain I feel. I am grieving the loss of something that wasn’t real.
One thing that came to mind, is that Maybe he was mirroring the love and acceptance I was showing for him. In a way, that is a good thing for me, because that means I have that inside of ME… if I can find a way to LOVE MYSELF the way I love others, I might have a chance at being happy in this life. This site and all of your comments have been so helpful to me, as I have talked and cried my friends & families ears off. They are all loving and supportive, but it is extremely helpful to read & learn from others that you are not alone and that it is possible to regain a life that is stable.

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Alicia
March 21, 2014 at 8:54 pm
Exactly all u say exactly what I did and what it has made me now if I knew another word for to the t id use it but I can not think of any at the moment I’m so lost and still feel as if its my fault after so long of beening told something its had not to think it true I’m so lost i feel like I’m drowning n my own thoughts and lonlyness I want him back but know what would become of it until he realizes his own problems or admit his own problems for use of a better word we can never b marrage is ones in my eyes I gave my self to him now I got nothing but questions of y I’m so wrong and y am i no enough let to show and he seems to b happier than I saw him n yrs idk what to do I just don’t know

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Brenda
April 30, 2014 at 10:09 pm
Astrid, your story really touched me. What a monster! I hope you are on your way now to happy living.

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Astrid
July 3, 2014 at 8:27 am
Dear Brenda,

Thank you for your kind words of support.

My history will forever be shaped by my experience with him. Every day (after 2 years) it does get easier. I still feel physically ill at the thought he is out there, getting on with his life and never allowing himself to think about me. On 7 July it will be two years since I lost our precious baby but I am so grateful for having carried it even for a short period of time. I look back at myself during those tough times and I am so proud of myself for having survived…. Scarred, vulnerable, shaking and feeling sick but I did my absolute best to cope. Every day I work hard to hold my chin high and I try to accept all that has happened. The thing which I find most annoying is knowing I will never be the same innocent girl who loved so openly …. But faith and belief in happiness is essential! Being able to love someone is such a wonderful feeling and he doesn’t get to take that away from me.

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Karen
September 25, 2013 at 7:54 pm
My appreciation and thanks to all of you enlightened and battle scarred people out there. My story is similar…and I have realized I had a NPD mother, a 1st husband who was overtly NPD ( took me 2 years to get over him) and am now just out of a relationship of 4 years with a cunning NPD. He was a singer and I am a medical doctor whom he loved to get his supply from as I am codependent person ( a legacy from my NPD mother). The change started when I started questioning his actions and threatened to leave. He used his charm and reassured me and loved me, etc etc, he planned his next supply carefully. She is a bargirl half his age in Thailand. And he is Australian with a a perceived sense of having money as he throws it around quite freely. I was left ( the bombshell) but he kept on using me for his supply as he needed my money. This is all in the last 3 months, he has only physically left the house 4 weeks ago.
There is life after this…. I realized that my reality had been messed with the lies and more lies and of course it was all my fault and that he gave a lot to me. The knowledge of this has given me strength, coupled with feedback from my coach. I am believing in myself now, my own generosity ( yes all of you out there have given lots and lots and you all deserve to be given back to) and most importantly to look to my own past and clean up my codependency. I can feel myself much more which is the first step. I am actively DISENGAGING from him, unfortunately there is the matter of a little doggie whom all the children love whom he is making a emotional pawn and getting some supply from that attention.
My hope is that he will go and marry this girl so he will not be in my life anymore..maybe get a new dog for her…sorry it’s a bit laughable because of the unreasonableness of the person.
I was also left with 2 STD’s and that was what alerted me to the NPD. Not a word of care or empathy, just for his bargirl ( of course the next supply).
He has grandiose ideas and any criticism has branded me as rejecting him.
He has stopped singing now as he is too old…no NPD’s do not take aging well.
I am taking steps to recover and heal from the abuse and victimizing.
Good luck to all of you in your journey and most importantly, it was NOT you or your fault!
Please find out as much as you can about this disorder as that knowledge will make you free. I found this site very useful http://www.thenarcissisticlife.com

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crew
November 24, 2013 at 8:08 pm
My NPD relationship is different. I’ve known 10+ years, I’d leave my spouse once or kids were raised. Now she has health issues and I am balking. I’m part, I admit I don’t want my peers thinking I bailed due to her health issues – anyone who had met her, but doesn’t know her – loves and admires her, and I’ve reinforced this by keeping my true feelings to myself. I also feel she can’t handle the issues by herself and would be damaged by the split. Nonetheless, I continue to be unhappy and don’t really know how to proceed. I’d enjoy hearing advice from others with similar experience.

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Gia
December 2, 2013 at 8:46 am
Do not stay with her out of a sense of obligation..You can still help her through the health issues, just have your own place to live..There is never a good time to leave a relationship, do not look for the perfect time-it will never come..Sacrificing your happiness for hers is only going to make you more unhappy..We all choose our lives…Choose to be happy..Narcissists have a way of surviving..

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Nemira
November 28, 2013 at 9:58 am
On New Years Eve (2013) when my husband treated me as a piece of garbage in front of his friends, while we were on holiday in the mountains with no means of living from there and I had to apologize to him,I had a shock ( I saw his hate for me, i thought that he loved me) and I new that something was terrible wrong, but I blamed myself, I felt broken and I got into a depression, I just wanted to die, I couldn’t see a way out, how horrible I am that the only person left in my life hates me ( After being married for 5 and1/2 years with him, I got no more friends).
I realized that my husband is a narcissist, only in March as I did a course about abuse and more as I researched about the disorder, all made sense, all the lies. The way to recovering, I think that was the hardest thing that I have done in my life. Is November, 2013 and I feel free, my sadness had disappeared, I love life again and I ‘ve learned a lot about myself, I came to terms with the abuse suffered in childhood and the fact that the narcissist did this to me and I praised him for that because I was still that child that couldn’t escape and believed that the adults are good and if I will be good that will treat me nice.
From all the pieces, I build a stronger me and next step is my divorce, but I know that I will win officially ( in my mind I am already divorced).
Good luck to all that are dealing with this devil in human form, there is light after this and you can do it.

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Jennifer
December 10, 2013 at 3:18 pm
I cannot seem to let go completely and stay away from my abusive ex-partner. Things officially ended last January and there have been periods of no contact that I’ve been able to maintain the longest being a month, but somehow I keep going back for more abuse and pain. I’ve been seeing a therapist and though it has helped I keep letting him come and go as he pleases. I know he’s been with other people but as early as a week ago he came back and gave me a deadline to be with him 100% and on his terms otherwise he told me to go F myself forever. He has been squatting in a home that has gone into foreclosure and then he told me that he’s staying with a “friend” When I ask him where or who’s he’s staying with he tells me that it’s none of my business since we’re not together, I wasn’t a real partner and there when he needed me, and that he’ll only disclose any information when and if we are back together. He’ll constantly tell me not to contact him and then I don’t and just when I start to feel a bit better he comes back around like he knows I might be a little better and I get hurt and set back all over again. I keep looking at his public postings on Google and this past weekend I saw a reply publicly from a female and of course because I’m a glutton for punishment I found postings on another social media site where he is “following” her and she’s “following” him. I deleted the account I had on that site because the only reason I created it was because he asked me to in order to send me things about he wanted to dress me etc. It cuts me right to my core because that’s what he’s doing with her now. I’ve been crying nonstop, cannot focus on work, and am an emotional wreck. I waste so much time trying to figure out why he does these things to me. I’m stuck thinking how happy he is with her and how miserable I am. I also think that she must be better than me and I’m comparing myself to her and how lucky she is because I’m sure he’s being so great and doing all the nice things and events he used to do for me with her now. I don’t understand why he keeps coming back to me if he’s found someone else? Why tell me he still loved me and wanted an “us” and then I see the other female? Is he with her? Did he do all this on purpose for me to see? Does he think I’m an idiot and it’s a game to him to see if I’ll keep hanging around? I’m so hurt and feel so unbelievably low. I know I deserve better treatment. I wish he would stop treating me this way. I wish I was stronger and felt better about myself. I wish I understood why he keeps doing this to me. I wish I could just let go and move on like I think he has. Any insight would be helpful.

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Woundednomore
December 13, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Narcissists leave their victims with PTSD and Stockholm effect. Often we become familiar with the cycles of abuse the N’s put us through. Our minds struggle to make sense of the hellish experiences & the cognitive dissonance, only compounds this. We love the person we first met; the charming, loving & attentive person. This Is what we hold on to & yet the bitter reality is the abusive, self absorbed, cold vampire that has taken that person’s place. We know they are harmful to our emotional & spiritual health, but subconsciously we hang onto the belief, Prince Charming will soon return. Don’t waste another precious moment holding onto this fantasy. They do not change. In fact they only get worse with time. You become their emotional (physical) punchbag, upon which they will project all their inner turmoil, whilst telling you that “you are the crazy one!” It is not You, however. This is the N’s sickness & he needs to ‘split’ you into either ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Once you become ‘bad’ in his own misguided perception, it is pretty much a wrap & N goes looking for the next ‘good’ person to idealise & place on a pedestal. What you have to remember though, is that idealising cycle never lasts. The N is destined to go on with devaluing & then discarding the next one too. Of course if the N is able, they will keep some useful N supply on standby, testing the waters every now & again with exes or other secondary supply. The painful part is knowing how much emotional investment we paid in; how little we meant to the N & the cruel illusion of it all, amongst other excruciating realisations. Naturally we blame ourselves, question our own sanity & believe someone else will fulfil them in ways we failed. Well don’t!!! Truth is you accommodated way more than most would. You are NOT crazy, but you may have reacted to a very toxic environment in an understandably distressed & angry manner. How else does one react to an unhealthy situation?? Also the new woman will not make N happy for long. She doesn’t know it yet but as you have the opportunity to be free of the cage that the N relationshit is, she is walking into the cage. Yes this hurts like nothing else, but at the core of You, lies You in it’s unbreakable form. You just need to peel off all the layers of childhood wounds, negative self beliefs, poor self esteem & the N relationshit baggage, to get to that core. This is an opportunity to heal all those wounds & get to living the life you are truly destined to have. Dig deep. You have all the resources you need. Take the focus off the N….LOVE yourself x

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on a new path
March 15, 2014 at 2:27 pm
It’s all so complicated for all of us, isn’t it? My guess is that when you/Woundednomore talk about Stockholm syndrome this is what you are talking about. I think as the years went by he became more questioning of his own reality, and feeling less like he deserved to free himself from her. Anyway, what I want to say is I totally agree with you on the need to learn to love ourselves. The N is a shell of a person and it’s a tragedy and it’s spooky. Neto Sosa’s description of the Mask pretending to be a person really affected me. I think that is exactly/horrifyingly right. So, reading about narcissism and families/scapegoating and the golden child/children, I understood that that was what had occurred in mine. It started to dawn on me, too, that my boyfriend wasn’t hearing me and was very slippery with the truth. These were things that I’d excused away in the past. That and his need for so much affirmation from people, especially attractive women. And then my father died. He’d had dementia for a number of years, so it was still devastating but at least he was released from that prison. My mother’s behavior got worse after my father died and so did my sisters’. So everything came to a head. It has felt like a kind of apocalypse–as devastating as it was I’ve had to let my boyfriend go–and believe me, it still hurts to see that dream disappear. I still believe that if he were to show up and say he were willing to get therapy I might take him back and give it another try. But there’s a root in me of something stronger now, too. And I’m trying to feed it. When all through the years I’ve been the friend that could be relied on with no needs of her own, now I’m feeling I deserve to be heard and to be seen, bumbling self and all. I read on another site a posting that talked about John Ruskan’s emotional clearning techniques. I’ve used those and am reading his book and practicing his ideas, and they are really helpful. We all are a part of this beautiful world together, and even though we’ve experienced some real ugliness, it’s still a beautiful place. Thank you all for making a difference. I hope that we all can believe in ourselves enough to get strong and shine!

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Beth
December 30, 2013 at 5:09 am
This guy is a loser and he is not happy with her. You need to thank God that you are no longer with him and feel sorry for her that she got sucked into his sick games. He wants a puppet that he can control and 2 things will happen: 1. she will be the puppet and become miserable like you are now down the road or 2. she will get the heck out of there. Either way she is not happy in the end. (And guess what, neither is he he will never be satisfied, only temporary highs but nothing will suffice until he gets help.) Do not feel your worth is lower because he is going after some other chick. You should actually feel sorry for her and pray for her that God gives her wisdom that she leaves and that any person for that matter does not end up with this idiot. It will not be an easy ride or “clean cut” from him off the bat, but realize and accept the truth of the matter and the truth will set you free.

“For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1.

Hold close to the Jesus and He is the source of all happiness. He makes all things new. (If you are not a Christian, than at least take the principle of the scripture. I personally like to read and grow of any word of wisdom out there.) God bless and help you. I know how it hurts, I have been there and have finally been set free after 6m of pain after our breakup.

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Jennifer, he is doing this because he is mentally ill. As long as you stay in denial that he is mentally ill and expect normal behaviour out of him, you’re going to be baffled and devastated.

What he is doing is coming to you for narcissistic supply–the knowledge that he is affecting someone. That can include hurting you. There’s a case I read about of a narcissist whose girlfriend finally committed suicide because of how he treated her. He was *proud* of it… took it as evidence of how important he was! In other words, HER SUICIDE WAS NARCISSISTIC SUPPLY to him. That’s how sick these people can be.

You need to understand the mindset. Their true self-esteem is so bad that they will even resort to torturing a person so as to make themselves big in that person’s world, and so give themselves a sense of importance. If you just keep reminding yourself of this, you’ll see through this guy enough to ditch him. By ordering you not to contact him, he’s playing you… because it’s what you really should do. Permanently.

Don’t worry that he and his new squeeze are happy. You know he’s a liar. She is headed for your fate. What you must do is look after and concentrate on YOU–your happiness, your rights, your life. I suggest therapy as I think you need it, both for immediate support and overall healing. Also try this site – http://www.melanietoniaevans.com . Good luck and all blessings to you!

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Bria Berry
January 5, 2014 at 5:56 am
Hi karen, Im 21 and I have been dating a man I met at college who I diagnosed as a narcissist. Theres no doubt in my mind he isnt. I met him last year at my school and he swept me off my feet. Low and behold I started noticing patterns of cheating and lying behavior. He made himself more of what he was made out to be and he manipulated me and my mind in the worst way possible. I wasnt strong enough to admit I was being cheated on and mistreated. it took me getting pregnant and going through an a abortion for me to realize he was no good. We dated for a few months before I was contacted by another women who hewas involved with. The lady warned me to stay away from him because she was manipulated by him for years. She even told me she was pregnant by him. She also gave me numbers to even more women he was involved with. I spoke to all the women and they all said the same thing.He was a manipulator. Sadly, some of the women still go back for more hurt. But I had no room to judge at the time because after I confronted him about the phone calls I had with the other women he got upset and accused me of being a horrible person. He made me feel bad about him getting caught and we broke up….a few months later he eased his way backin my life and I gave in. The cycle repeated itself when I gave in. Come to find out he was a serial cheater and got several women pregnant and talked all of us into getting abortions. What was even more appalling was that he made me believe that this was the first time he ever had to deal with something so devastating. (How mentally sick can someone be to sit in an abortion clinic with their girl and act like he just didnt go through the same thing months ago with another women he was with)…….. I spoke to one of the women he was involved with and she felt like she was superior to all of the rest of women he was with. She said “im not going anywhere”… I begged and pleaded for my boyfriend to spend time with me. There were times I even cried for his attention. He would get mad and somehow make it about him and how he feels.

At this point I think im struggling with the fact that I thought he really loved me. He made it seem so surreal even though I wasnt the only one. Im also struggling with the fact that why wasnt I good enough to stay faithful to? What do the other women have that I dont have? Whats caused him to do this to me? And the biggest question is how do I move forward? One thing I can say is I am happy I was able to break away from the relationship by choice and also by force before I wasted anymore time like the other women who’ve been with him for years. Its still a hard process to get over because I know my lovefor him was real :(

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janelle
February 27, 2014 at 8:49 am
I feel for you Bria…the fact is your not good enough for him youre actually too good for him…I never knew how bad a narcissist womaniser could be untik I read the hundreds of messages my bf sent others and the evidence of the amount of ppl he hooked up with while with me…its a fulltime job its a sickness. Narcissists are never happy with one love…its too vulnerable for them and noone even them can live up to their perfectionist expectation. They need the admiration of many to fill their need. Nothing was wrong with you..I too was deceived he wanted to live together and have kids. .thank god I found out as his behavior will never change unless he does serious therapy to deal with his childhood shit…
if you can start to see and accept the reality of your rel and let go of the perceived reality and dream we had…you will move on ….someone better is waiting for u . You deserve a love that is honest loyal caring and true x

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Bria
January 22, 2014 at 5:50 am
You took the words right out my mouth. Are stories are the exact same right down to the feelings. Its only been a month and im still affected by this.

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Trina
December 13, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Here is a good one. Same as all of the above really.. However. We went to counseling, and when the counselor told him that “you have a low level of emotional maturity, and Trina has a very high level of emotional maturity” LOL it was on… as he now puts it “that was the breaking point” the counselor also told him that “Trina carries herself very well”. Well now..since the counselor thought ill of him, that is my fault, and since the counselor thought highly of me “that is my fault”. OMG I love this man, this crazy man with all of my heart and soul, but well as the counselor told me “he is like Jekyll and Hyde” great!! We split up 20 times…no really twenty. This last time 3 months ago, he said he had just split with this girl who lives in Canada..you see he had just left one day and moved to Canada to work, asked me to “hang in there”..ummm no! anyway..when he came home saying he was back for good he told me it was over with her. We hung out for a month then he said “I have to go back to work in Canada for a couple of weeks” next thing you know he is back here, with her. I found out through the grapevine and text him “I hear your back in town, I can take a hint”..he replied “Zelda is here can’t text or call, be back on the 17th for good”. I wrote “your concern for Zelda has been noted” his reply “whatever goodbye.” so I let him know a letter would be forthcoming to him and to Zelda via her facebook. I wrote it all out. She stayed with him…He and I haven’t spoke. I saw him at the post office the other day, and boy howdy did he get out of there. LOL guess he doesn’t want his new girl to get a call. but come to find out…They had been together 6 months, and he told her he had not been with any girl in 4 years since his wife divorced him. I was nothing. Oh the joy of loving a narcissistic man. Crazy thing…I always told him how it was. His brother even told me don’t EVER talk to HIM like that. He has a history of just hitting people. It didn’t even matter to me, I was one that would not fear him. Certainly hope he isn’t planning on killing me. geez! I just have a big mouth and tell it how it is. What a horrible combination. “the love of his life” Trina haha

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Halie
December 27, 2013 at 11:29 pm
Thank you for these posts…..I met a man 18 mths ago, I had just separated from my husband and have 2 kids. This man showered me in compliments ang gifts. I was very vulnerable and lonely, very low self esteem and confidence. He came on overwhelmingly strong and I had to ask him to back off. But then I missed his attention but he also comes across as such a victim. Saying he needed me and how awful things were, this had happened that had happened, none of it his fault, so we carried on seeing each other and several times I felt unhappy, he never properly listened to my thoughts, about taking it slowly especially for my kids that we’re struggling with their father not being there. By last Christmas things were a bit better and then I fell pregnant! The whole world fell apart and his behaviour was extreme. I have been blamed for everything….he wanted me to have a termination but I couldn’t go through with it, he told me how I didn’t understand what I was doing to him, how much pressure I was putting him and his children under, how much I was hurting him, how he can’t live with it etc etc…(he is Muslim, I’m not) he wanted me to call a mosque so I did, I suggested we made a real go of things, move in etc, nothing I suggested was good enough as I quite simply should get rid!! As time went on he wore my emotions down, then one day he decided we should be thinking of our future together, house, marriage etc! If I didn’t respond favourably then I get cutting remarks making me out to be dis respectful and the bad one in all this mess. He is very concerned how he looks to other people, believing he is respected in the community. The story goes on but to cut it short, I had our child and less than 16 weeks after the birth he suddenly cut off his emotions and is with someone else. One week he was saying how much he loves me, the next week he has no feelings anymore! I have been asking him for time and to take things slowly which he now says he is only doing what I asked but I asked that 18 mth ago, I can’t understand how you can go from one extreme to another like that, from gushing his love to barely contacting me. He comes to see the baby and will offer to buy nappies but it all seems an act, he has to be seen to be doing the right thing. In all of this, I have constantly questioned myself and my actions and he has led me to believe it is all my fault. He has put me down I front of others and close doors but he equally demonstrates a nice side and makes out he cares and is providing. He never listens to my feelings instead he cuts me off and turns the conversation to him and his feelings, in fact often the things he says to me, I think are things I should be saying to him, transference…after most conversations, I am left feeling angry, frustrated, upset and unheard. I know the lady he is with now, she is going through a divorce and is a single mum, I’m sure he is now showering her with the compliments he once gave me and making her feel wonderful?! I feel so hurt, rejected and used and yet all I see is his good side and feel like we should give it another go…..especially for the baby, but I know and have talked to his ex wife, he has always been the same, he has a string of failed relationships since her and all with vulnerable women, he is very generous but in incredible debt, he admires his own looks and he uses emotional blackmail on me and his older kids….he can’t be alone and always comes across on one side as the confidant charmer and on the other side he is a victim and can cry at the drop of the hat…..are these the characteristics of a narcissist?

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 6:18 pm
These are totally characteristics of a narcissist. Including the “love them and leave them” thing. What happens is that they are totally driven by a need for narcissistic supply, not by love. The moment you cease to be that to them for whatever reason, or start to come with big drawbacks (like a child for him to be responsible for) they turn to someone else and it’s as if you never existed.

Go that? He does not love you, else he wouldn’t have done that. He does not love you because narcissists are incapable of love.

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT give it another go with this guy. He will not change. He is mentally ill in a way that prevents him from ever admitting it. He will just give you more grief, and hurt your children at the same time. Cut him out of your life and find someone decent. You’re incorrect that you see only his good side, because you’ve shown us his bad side–now pay attention to your own observations  :-) GOOD LUCK!

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tina montella
November 12, 2014 at 1:47 am
Wow…wow….and wow….it has opened my eyes. Yes….perhaps they do want to destroy other people so they can be elevated. A good point. I guess it is a disorder…. Crazy stuff. But real stuff. So sorry

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Elena
December 29, 2013 at 11:54 am
Hi all – thank you for giving each other some advice and hope. In my case I still believe that we all giving to much of ourselves and to much attention to Narcissists in our life. Why should our minds struggle to make sense of the hellish experiences? Because we are not comfortable with ourselves. Take care of your self, set your boundaries, and do what YOU need to do, be WHO you are and enjoy your life. Stop be depended on N’s and his needs – start 2014 with YOU FIRST on the list. Living with N’s is not the end of the world. They will never change but YOU can change your attention and your reactions to his/hers crazy behavior. If you have decided to stay with Ns – create YOUR rules, if you have decided to leave Ns – use ‘no contact’ forever. But stop reading about Ns to much and analyzing to much because you will have no time left for yourself. Happy New Year!

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Elena
December 29, 2013 at 11:58 am
Jennifer, do you want this partner in your life? As soon as you know what you want from your life you will get better and stronger. You are not together -NO CONTACT!- is your answer. Time will help…

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Is it me?
December 30, 2013 at 11:09 am
Hi all,
I am starting to go crazy, I am 29 and been with my wife for 7 years for the last couple of years she has been at times nasty to me, I love her with everything I possibly could we also have a 4 year old boy together… I have a full time job and leave for work at 5:00 and get home at 5:30 I cook dinner every night and help out whenever I am asked.. But I am constantly told that I don’t do enough around the house and when I do she will pick on the way I am doing it… I asked her to leave me a note with the things she wants me to do but she won’t cos she says I should know what needs to be done.. She stays at home with our 4yr old boy and has done so since she was 4 months pregnant… She cracks it if I want to go to bed before she does even tho she wakes up hours after I leave for work… She will be the loving wife for a couple of days a week if step on eggshells… Then she just picks on everything I do and talks to me like I’m a piece of shit for for a couple of days and this is a weekly cycle.. I try to surprise her with flowers or a night away for the 2 of us and it doesn’t make any difference… I love my wife so much but she is breaking me down bit by bit.. If she has a couple of drinks she flips out and yells at me and throws stuff around the room but she can drink with her friends and be happy all night… She says mean things to me that she takes back a few days later but then says them again the following week. When I ask her how would she feel if I treated her this way she tells me that she is the perfect wife so I can’t complain to her… This is really troubling me cos all I want is for to be happy and she just can’t seem to do that around me anymore.. She raises her voice at me and our 4 yr old for no reason,,,, and if I sit down next to her and ask what is wrong she walks off and slams the door… These fights can start anywhere any time and for no reason… She has a son from a previous relationship that I treat as my own son he was 3 when we met she speaks to him angrily as we’ll but not the same anger as she does to me.. What has worried more recently is I also have a son from a previous relationship who I see every second weekend and a couple of hours before he comes she gets angry guaranteed every time and is rude him.. He is a polite loving boy and she will belittle him and make him cry he is starting to not want to come due to this her son tells her that she is being mean to my son and she shrugs it off and says he is disrespectful when he is not being like that at all…. I come home from work and tell her about my day if it sounds like have a good day at work she tells how shit her day was and if I say I had a bad day at work she turns into a debate over who had the harder day all I’m trying to do is communicate with her and tell her about my day…. It feels like sometimes she hates me…. If she goes out someone always try’s to kiss her cos she flirts with guys so much but says she is just being herself If that is so why is she so angry and rude towards I’m confused s there something I am missing or not doing right as a husband cos my self esteem is shrinking

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Yes, there is something you are missing.

She’s abusive, mentally ill, not capable of a loving relationship and not able to accept the love you are giving her.

She is also abusive to the kids, and damaging them emotionally.

You have to accept the truth of all this. When you do, you’ll see exactly what to do.

Good luck!!

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 7:31 pm
P.S. — It’s not you.

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daniel
February 15, 2014 at 6:48 pm
It’s not you.. Two months ago my fiancée left me and she was exactly the same way.
If your son is still showing emotions, save him and yourself while they still exist! Because sooner than you think, all feelings will be gone into the black hole that exists in a narcissist empty soul.
I am in therapy and so are my two sons. I have been through a battery of psychological tests and a turns out I have borderline PTSD now and I have never been in war. Therapy is difficult and intense for my children and I. We go three times a week. My boys are 13 & 9, and are like little emotionless zombies. I heard my youngest laugh last night while watching tv for the first time in along time. I smiled and asked him did he like that and his face turned to stone and he went silent. Now I can tell you I feel like the worst father on the planet for allowing this insanity to ever happen, and I will be damned if I ever let anyone ever hurt my children or myself in the future. I thought I was building a family and loving her, taking care of her all the while we were being destroyed emotionally.
I heard she had a new guy just a week after she left, that apparently lasted a couple weeks. That guy was able to get out before he lost everything. I wasn’t so lucky. Lost my hvac company, my house and everything I’ve worked for and am now renting and looking for employment.
In my honest opinion, You need to get out while you can. If a N/S/APD/BPD person can they will take and destroy your entire life and blame you for it. Your Loving heart will punish you for her. You will tear yourself apart and loose your sanity trying to love her. Your children will be damaged from this, I would venture to say you do realize this and want it to stop immediately. I’m sorry my friend, it will only get worse from here. Once you realize the behavior and confront her it will be emotional terrorism, smearing from this point on, or she’ll agree and seek counseling and be ever so sweet to not loose her supply. that supply is you and the children. Until she recognizes her behavior and truly wants to change of her own accord, is willingly admitting her own issues and gets intense psychological help.. She will not stop..
I would try to have a sit down talk with her and tell her your feelings. A one time offer if you will. And be ready, to leave…
When I did it she became angry, accused me of everything under the sun and even called the police and said I hit her. I have cameras and microphones in my house, so that saved my butt from going to jail.
I also put a camera and gps in my truck and put tracking software on my phone because she has since accused me of stalking and further abuse in the last 2 months. Her father is a detective for the local
PD so I’m in a really bad situation myself. CYA is now a way of life. I have also just hired an attorney, filed for a protective order and filed charges against her father for filing false reports, abuse of police power, and violating my civil rights. This will stop!
So when I say you have to stand your ground and protect your kids and yourself sir. I am speaking completely from my heart, soul and experience.
I will pray for you and your family.

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BeBrave
July 13, 2014 at 9:14 am
Dear Daniel, She sounds like a spoilt princess who is using you, why doesn’t she go out and get a job, how dare she tell you that you have to work full time, cook for her as well, and on top of that she screams at you!!!!, how could you put up with that, im sure a lot of other men would of told her where to go by now!!!, believe me, you are doing nothing wrong at all, its her that is taking advantage of your nice, kind nature…..you are a good hardworking man, and she is extremely lazy and narcissistic and is using you. Do you own the house? if I was you, I would protect all your assets from this greedy, selfish women incase you get sick of her one day and you want out, at least you know all the property will go to you if you prepare in advance, as you don’t want to be paying her child support on top of all the abuse she is putting you through. Believe me, you deserve better then her.

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tina montella
November 12, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Sorry for your loss. We do lose people such as this along the way. They just think mostly about a themselves. I wish it was so easy to get up and go. I have a 16 year old son. I want to go out more and be strong. Its a struggle. Been v sad.
I’m drained.I feel your pain

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Is it me
December 30, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Hey just a message to the moderator I posted a message just before and put my email down wrong sorry I have put the correct one there now

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Karen Wehrstein
December 31, 2013 at 6:12 pm
In my opinion, this article seriously, almost irresponsibly, downplays the danger of being in a relationship with a narcissist. Just look at the comments–look at the amount of pain poured out in these words! These people won’t just piss you off or sadden you. They will destroy your life. There’s no “how-to” have a relationship with a true narcissist except — DON’T. Changing your half of the dynamic will do absolutely nothing to cause them to change theirs, because they feel you are responsible for all the problems. What it will do, if it’s *true* change, is get you the heck out of there, and that’s what you need.

The article also overplays the prospect of cure for narcissists. True narcissists *never* admit that they are–it’s always someone else who is to blame. This is why in the mental health field, it is generally held that the prognosis for cure for narcissistic personality disorder is very poor.

If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, or have been in one and still hurt, run, don’t walk to this site: http://www.melanietoniaevans.com . Yes, she’s selling something, but there’s a wealth of info there for free. I made very good use of it in my own education/healing re narcissism (one parent, one ex).

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Bria Tianna
January 5, 2014 at 5:57 am
I have been dating a man I met at college who I diagnosed as a narcissist. Theres no doubt in my mind he isnt. I met him last year at my school and he swept me off my feet. Low and behold I started noticing patterns of cheating and lying behavior. He made himself more of what he was made out to be and he manipulated me and my mind in the worst way possible. I wasnt strong enough to admit I was being cheated on and mistreated. it took me getting pregnant and going through an a abortion for me to realize he was no good. We dated for a few months before I was contacted by another women who hewas involved with. The lady warned me to stay away from him because she was manipulated by him for years. She even told me she was pregnant by him. She also gave me numbers to even more women he was involved with. I spoke to all the women and they all said the same thing.He was a manipulator. Sadly, some of the women still go back for more hurt. But I had no room to judge at the time because after I confronted him about the phone calls I had with the other women he got upset and accused me of being a horrible person. He made me feel bad about him getting caught and we broke up….a few months later he eased his way backin my life and I gave in. The cycle repeated itself when I gave in. Come to find out he was a serial cheater and got several women pregnant and talked all of us into getting abortions. What was even more appalling was that he made me believe that this was the first time he ever had to deal with something so devastating. (How mentally sick can someone be to sit in an abortion clinic with their girl and act like he just didnt go through the same thing months ago with another women he was with)…….. I spoke to one of the women he was involved with and she felt like she was superior to all of the rest of women he was with. She said “im not going anywhere”… I begged and pleaded for my boyfriend to spend time with me. There were times I even cried for his attention. He would get mad and somehow make it about him and how he feels.

At this point I think im struggling with the fact that I thought he really loved me. He made it seem so surreal even though I wasnt the only one. Im also struggling with the fact that why wasnt I good enough to stay faithful to? What do the other women have that I dont have? Whats caused him to do this to me? And the biggest question is how do I move forward? One thing I can say is I am happy I was able to break away from the relationship by choice and also by force before I wasted anymore time like the other women who’ve been with him for years. Its still a hard process to get over because I know my lovefor him was real

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Jennifer
January 5, 2014 at 5:40 pm
So I have been married two years to a man with NPD. For the last year he has treated me horribly. I just found out on Dec. 30 that my husband has been having an affair with one of his co-workers. I confronted him and he blamed me saying that I had given him a look of hate over a year ago and he couldn’t get past it. Then he tells me lie after lie that he broke it off with her. We decided to separate but I’m not understanding why he doesn’t go live with his new girlfriend that he’s in love with. After I found out more info regarding the affair it angered me. So i texted him letting him know that I know he’s not in love with me and that he just needs to tell me the truth. My question is will this anger him more that I’m telling him it’s over! I have two little girls and he’s still in my house for another 5 days. Do I have to worry that he will try something or because I walked away he will just discard our relationship and move on with his new girlfriend? Will he ever be able to tell me the truth or should I just leave it alone?

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Karen Wehrstein
January 10, 2014 at 10:31 am
He will never tell you the truth. Don’t hang onto the hope that he will. *You* know the truth, and that’s good enough.

Narcissists and certain other personality-disordered people make a mockery of the notion of consensus reality. They live to lie and they will never stop no matter how desperately you yearn for them too.

The nice guy who you thought you had consensus reality with does not exist, except as a construct he carefully created in your mind. That’s all it is. Let it go.

Just accept that you’ll never get truth out of him, and make it clear, however many times you have to, that it’s over. Then put him behind you completely.

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Jennifer
February 1, 2014 at 8:13 am
Since I last wrote my husband has moved out to live with his new girlfriend. Before he left he cried to me and told me I desreve to be happy and that hes just not in love with me anymore. He said he was sorry and is still helping to pay the bills and finish a construction project he started. We filed a legal separation and we are still on amicable terms. This doesnt sound like a NARC at all but during our marriage he would give me the silent treatment, withhold sex and spend excessive amounts of money on frivolous things he didnt need. So I am upset that maybe he isnt a NARC and that I let him go. But then I think hes a NARC and amafraid that him being nice to me means hes keeping one foot in the door. Am I crazy? I cant understand why I am still in love with him when he emotionally abused me…Its very frustrating. He made me feel unloveable and undesirable…Please help me clear up this confusion

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Bria Berry
January 5, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Hi karen, Im 21 and I have been dating a man I met at college who I diagnosed as a narcissist. Theres no doubt in my mind he isnt. I met him last year at my school and he swept me off my feet. Low and behold I started noticing patterns of cheating and lying behavior. He made himself more of what he was made out to be and he manipulated me and my mind in the worst way possible. I wasnt strong enough to admit I was being cheated on and mistreated. it took me getting pregnant and going through an a abortion for me to realize he was no good. We dated for a few months before I was contacted by another women who hewas involved with. The lady warned me to stay away from him because she was manipulated by him for years. She even told me she was pregnant by him. She also gave me numbers to even more women he was involved with. I spoke to all the women and they all said the same thing.He was a manipulator. Sadly, some of the women still go back for more hurt. But I had no room to judge at the time because after I confronted him about the phone calls I had with the other women he got upset and accused me of being a horrible person. He made me feel bad about him getting caught and we broke up….a few months later he eased his way backin my life and I gave in. The cycle repeated itself when I gave in. Come to find out he was a serial cheater and got several women pregnant and talked all of us into getting abortions. What was even more appalling was that he made me believe that this was the first time he ever had to deal with something so devastating. (How mentally sick can someone be to sit in an abortion clinic with their girl and act like he just didnt go through the same thing months ago with another women he was with)…….. I spoke to one of the women he was involved with and she felt like she was superior to all of the rest of women he was with. She said “im not going anywhere”… I begged and pleaded for my boyfriend to spend time with me. There were times I even cried for his attention. He would get mad and somehow make it about him and how he feels.

At this point I think im struggling with the fact that I thought he really loved me. He made it seem so surreal even though I wasnt the only one. Im also struggling with the fact that why wasnt I good enough to stay faithful to? What do the other women have that I dont have? Whats caused him to do this to me? And the biggest question is how do I move forward? One thing I can say is I am happy I was able to break away from the relationship by choice and also by force before I wasted anymore time like the other women who’ve been with him for years. Its still a hard process to get over because I know my lovefor him was real :(

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Karen
January 6, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Hi Everyone

i am just writing, just trying to heal and find this all very helpful. I met my boyfriend because he was my clarinet instructor. he was so nice, kind. he was very quiet and gentle and I just loved it. We started dating, and he was still a very nice thoughtful man and I just loved it. I had had some bad experiences earlier in my life with men and was really enjoying the niceness, the gentleness provided in this relationship. Suddenly overnight it changed. It changed because he said I was in need of mental health treatment. He basically told me that he was going to hang in there for me, but sometimes he was just getting fed up. I was head over heels when he dropped this bomb. This went on for several months where he pathologized me so bad. I saw a counselor who continuously convinced me to “get out.” This guy said he couldn’t make love to me because I do not know how to love and because I am not ready for intimacy because I confuse sex and affection. He called me needy, dependent, manipulative, attention seeking, damaged. I am still trying to figure all this out. He would go days wtih not contacting me, take breaks from me because he said I stressed him out. Refused to make holiday plans. Then one day he would just show up as nice as ever and boom, I had my guy back. Unfortuniately it didn’t last for long. Every day he made it clear that he knew I was sick and that he was going to try and hang in there for me but he didn’t know if he could. He told me no one else will ever love me either. He told me so many negative things about myself, that in those six months I got so confused. I ended it six weeks ago and have not contacted him at all. Somedays I want so badly to, but I stop myself. Because I know I will be going back for more of the same. It is the most hurtful thing I have ever been through. It was like mind manipulation and the worst was the way I would go to kiss him and he would just turn his face, after we kissed so passionately in the beginning. The way he would pretend we were going to make love and then he would just stop. He told me I did not inspire him. It is hard to get through. I guess it just takes time. I still call myself sick and crazy but not like I used to.

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Karen Wehrstein
January 10, 2014 at 10:51 am
You are not sick and crazy at all.

You were just under the influence of someone who was. We feel an obligation to listen to the opinions of those we love, and that’s what narcissists and other types of abusers play on. This man is addicted to performing mind-f***s.

One of the things that narcissists do is projection: saying that *you* have all *their* negative qualities. They take it to an extreme. That’s where all his “information” about your supposed mental health problems came from. He’d be saying the same to anyone.

Good luck and whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation to contact him. You have to totally accept that your impression of him was a complete myth and let go the hopes you have based on that. Best wishes for finding a man who truly does love you!

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Andrew
January 17, 2014 at 7:50 am
I agree with what Karen said. I had a similar experience where my ex would project her own imperfections onto me. She would act aloof and distant…then ask “are you ok?”….or would say things like “I like the way you don’t lecture me, you just talk to me”…then she would lecture me about the smallest things, talking down to me like I was a child. These people do perform mind f*cks. Read the other comments and see the patterns! You seem pretty self reflective and able to analyse yourself…(which I think is healthy)…Don’t blame yourself! Move on and be proud of who you are!

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Mitzy
January 7, 2014 at 10:28 am
They don’t change, but you will. Not all these changes will be for the good. In fact if “good” comes into your life they will sabotouge it pretending to be all you need, but just long enough to get you to give up all the ground you have gained. If you start to paint, they will be supportive till you buy the supplies, set up a studio and start to get recognition. Then they will stop doing any of the household “chores” leaving you to do yours and theirs. Guess what? No time to paint. So you give up painting.

If you try and find an alternative to “retail theraphy” and join a club again they are very supportive and even try and befriend your fellow club members. They “ingrain” themselves and you think great, HE is supporting me for a change. Soon they will have something bad to say about all the people behind their backs, and will be “thrilled” if you have some “issues” with the other members and share. He will keep at this “? Sabotouge till you are no longer able to be happy or feel “stupid” for going to the club or have “issues” with his pulling loyalities away from YOU.

Of course, as soon as you table all you enjoy out of life, he will then proceed to commandeer all the free time he has to EXCLUDE you from his life, and will then call you “mean and not supportive”.

If you stop to realize what the heck is going on and confront him, watch “nice guy” turn into a monster, so now you have given up so much, he can go back to berating you for “having no friends or hobbies”.
And they are sure to remind you that you have difficulty following through or keeping friends.

One day you wake up to this passive aggressive bs, and keep doing your thing in spite of his attempts to sabotouge you. Suddenly all hell breaks loose and he wages a vicious campaign EVERYWHERE against you, walks out and leaves you with everything to do and deal. (not that he did all that much but be a mouth with legs anyway).

Yep, cycle of abuse to keep you where he needs you, isolated with only his “abuse” for company.

You try harder to understand HIM and his words, while NOT seeing the actions of destruction that counter act his WORDS. He is good at this, making you guilty. Isolating you then rejecting you.

Finallly when some major “he should understand and support me” event like a death, or other issue that demands your attention occurs and suddenly he is NOT there for you, and a light bulb goes off, HE was never really there for YOU, but always about HIM and his needs.

It sucks to be hit with what you couldn’t ever make better or figure out. He isn’t there at all but some actor in human skin was.

The shock of the “real” is very hard to overcome. It is devastating, in light of all you have worked at or gave up for HIM, and there is little YOU left. Hurts beyond belief. But the truth is there is no co dependancy here, as in reality you were given NO choices as they are very adept at sabotouge. I hate it when I read we NEED them, we really don’t and begin to see it, but they draw everyone and everything in to marshall forces that prohibit you (damage to others or finances) from any self affirming actions with PUNISHMENT to you and to others or things you care about.

Now the real hell of seeing what they are begins, to save you destroys someone else or something else and it is usually a “no win” anywhere you can see. This is the abusive psychology. Save yourself hurt something you love. Horrendously “guilt ridden” choices. This is how the narc entraps. NO one volunteers for this. That is like saying a fly is co dependant to the venus fly trap that will kill him, nope it is a trick and a trap. The fly only had ONE chance to “learn” to avoid the plant that traps. By the time he “gets it” it is kinda too late.

No one is co dependant anything, just tricked and trapped, and it happens to millions of perfectly normal functioning people all the time…like PT Barnum says, “a sucker is born every minute”. That trust and unawares is nectar to these people.

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Elena
January 13, 2014 at 11:45 am
Taking control of your life is very hard thing to do. But it is easier to keep telling that someone is making you unhappy or crazy. If you are living with N than STOP and ask yourself: what do YOU want? Option 1: STAY with N. Steps to take: remember your hobbies, keep your boundaries strong, always ask yourself ‘Who I am’, check how realistic the decisions and plans of the N, always stay caring, loving, and kind because this is who you are. Result: commitment, hard work, ups and downs, an outside vision of ‘happiness.’ Option 2: LEAVE N. Steps to take: take time to get ready and leave with NO Contact (read Melanie Tonia Evans). Result: freedom of your soul, financial straggle, difficulty staying with No Contact, life in your eyes.
Have you made your choice?

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mich
January 13, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Hi All
Just thought I would get my experience down in black and white to help me move on, not asking for solutions or advice as such but maybe someone out there knows the right thing to say – feel free if so :)
I was with my ex for 4 years – first 18 – 20 months fantastic, especially the first 6 months, such a sweet, quiet,guy – good looking and charming (but not over-the-top extrovert) – I was extremely together and independent when we met, with a big circle of freinds, but definitely ready to jump in with both feet! and up til the point when we moved in together after 6 months it was really great…with hindsight there were red flags popping up all over the place but everyone here has probably rationalised all types of behaviour through ‘wishful thinking’…but you know I never expected anyone to be perfect, and loved him more for it…he had told me that he had been cheated on in the past and was devastated by it – loved his openess and honesty and felt ‘well he’d never do that then – knows how it feels’ not that I have ever been the jealous or irrational type..
somehow he managed to make me feel that he wanted us to spend loads of time together but at the same time make me feel bad for wanting the same, while subtly disapproving if I went out for a couple of drinks with freinds …. after we moved in together while he was still the same in many ways he became distant in the bedroom and less affectionate overall, we got a dog together and had lots of fun and a tough learning curve, and i thought maybe his changes in behaviour / attitude were just part of the natural progress of a relationship as you move past the passion stage.. he never had any spare money, hated his job etc so I put alot down to this…
anyway, long story short after about two & a half years I felt he was becoming especially moody and distant and one day he said ‘it’s not working’ didn’t say why, didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t want to work on it and that he ‘should have said something ages ago’ nothing hurts quite like that!! he then got seriously offended when I tore up a gift voucher he had given me (no empathy, didn’t get why i may be upset)…he said there was no-one else but turns out he had been emailing a woman, pretending he was single with a dog, and using our dog as a flirting tool!!
anyway, due to financial circumstances (his) and dog care we ended up living together seperately for a long time, I asked him not to date women while living there, (he could move out anytime he wanted)…but he still did didn’t care that it broke my heart….I know i should have been stronger, but we were still spending so much time together, like a couple but not, got on great etc and of course I still loved him, helped him out financially and supported him with his new business etc (it was only with hindsight i realised he was keeping me in this limbo)…he wanted freedom but had a platonic wife who was smitten (me) and didn’t want his finances to suffer…so when he met an old aquiantance last feb, there was his way out…her family are pretty well off, and they moved intogether within about 6 weeks (new place with cheaper rent) (he’s very impulsive and persuasive so i wasn’t surprised – had dinner here with me one night and moved in with her the next, replicating the same life exactly. I kept the dog :)
he then ‘discarded’ me completely with no recognition of the time we had spent together or the support I had given him, turned his back on the dog (who adored him), and as if we had been seperated for years! anyway during this time i was able to establish that he had NPD traits and had been controlling me totally.
I have been getting on with life and getting over him etc, he shows no interest in my life but expects me to be happy for him and decided to send me a picture of their baby scan on new years day!! saying ‘happy new year’ – yep she’s pregnant, 3 months gone so within 6 months of the relationship starting – this would be bad enough, but I am now 45 (he is 41) and have probably missed my chance to have kids – i know I only have myself to blame for letting him control me but it just hurts how he has come out of this completely unscathed, at the top of his game, with a pregnant girlfreind (having cheated, shown no mercy and still owing me £££s) and I feel that I have lost a lot (my career has been affected by decisions made for his benefit, and also due to the fact I have to accomodate my gorgeous doggy) and I only exist to him for gloating purposes…I guess what makes it worse is that ultimately I created this situation by letting him treat me the way he did, and still hoping we would stay together…can’t do much about my biology though…
Sorry for the long story!! but I already feel better for putting in down in writing – therapy of a kind
thanks for reading if youve made it this far  :) xx

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LOU
May 1, 2014 at 3:11 pm
After reading this, Mich, it seems to me like YOU are the one that came out on top! Just think, he got that poor girl pregnant and she is going to have to deal with him for years and years with no way out. Meanwhile, the stars favored you and you are free to live your life without any input from him! Congratulations for getting out of a relationship that he was willing to abandon at the drop of a dime. You sound like a smart person and I hope that you will find the happiness you deserve!

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MICHELLE
May 26, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Thanks Lou I really think you are right! I feel very free now and loving my independence…I hope everyone else can get through their NPD experiences, I wouldn’t have believed it 6 months ago, but time really does heal :)

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Lou
June 8, 2014 at 2:10 am
I am so glad you are moving on! I am working on myself as well. If you ever have time, will you read my story? It is dated May 1, 2014. I would really love to hear your input.

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melanie
January 14, 2014 at 10:44 pm
After 20 years together he left do to my depression…he made me feel so bad about myself, I was never enough. It has been 5 years since he left an I am still obsessed with him want him back because he was my lifes dream…I know he is not healthy for me mentally, but I love him. Maybe I’m the narcissist or maybe we both are. He an I have hooked up recently an I had such hopes of reconciling yet he is with other women, only chooses to be with me sometimes. He has such confidents in himself an women are all over him. I am back to feeling like a loser. Why cant I let this man go??

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melanie
January 14, 2014 at 11:57 pm
Sometimes when I’m with him I think I don’t want him, but yet I don’t want anyone else to have him because he was mine. We were married for 20 years. He says I manipulate…so maybe I am the narcissist.

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Inkspot
January 29, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Hi Melanie, it’s the same with me. I don’t want him back but do want to be friends.

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Andrew
January 17, 2014 at 6:45 am
Thank you to everyone for sharing you experiences!

I only just started researching this disorder and have to say that I now feel so much better about myself as a person and have found some answers as to why my (short lived) relationship failed. I can only imagine the pain that some of you must have felt after a number of years with a narc!
My relationship lasted only two months and I was still traumatised when it ended! This was one of the reasons for my pain. I have recovered from failed relationships before in positive ways and have often remained friends with my exs. I could not understand why I felt so floored over a relationship that lasted so short a time. I read a fantastic article which explained that the grief is enhanced because you are mourning a person that didn’t ever truly exist. So many of my friends told me, “move on,” “she’s crazy” etc but the pain continued. It is hard for someone who has not experienced it to feel the trauma caused by somebody saying “I love you” and doting on you, then literally two days later being cruel, cold and defensive.
Everything in my relationship was perfect until she bailed on my birthday without so much as a phone call. When I tried to talk to her on the phone, she made excuses that she was sick, tired etc….the more patient I was, the more defensive she became. Everytime I tried to ask if something was wrong, I was met with hostility. It took two weeks of mind games and silent treatment before I had to ask via sms if she wanted to end the relationship….(sending that text felt like shooting myself in the head, but was the only way to get the answer I knew was inevitable.)
Looking back, all I can get comfort from was knowing that I did not try to punish her or “win”, but it still hurt so much knowing that she didn’t give a shit. I felt like perhaps I was someone who had a personality that would only be enjoyable for short amounts of time and then I would irritate people and thus would subsequently never find love with anyone.
I can understand why people go back to narcs, because I think that most mature functional adults learn to be self critical. I know that I always found myself thinking, “did I do something wrong?” “maybe I missed something crucial that, if I could fix, would make the relationship the way it was?” Not true. I was caught out again months later when I messaged her telling her that I missed her. This was the wrong thing to do as I believe it fed her need to be needed and she kept responding with follow on messages, then asked if I wanted to meet in person…she then said she was buys after mentioning it! Burned. Weeks later, she called me and asked again. I agreed to meet her. I messaged her that morning to confirm and was ignored. Burned again.
I feel the pain of all of you and do not wish to compare my pain with yours…just hope that sharing my story might resonate with somebody as many of yours have resonated with me. Understanding about this disorder has made me feel much better about myself as a person and to reassure myself that I can find love…It just takes the ability to trust yourself….Next time I WILL listen to the warning bells!
Hope this helped somebody and good luck to everyone…Onwards and Upwards friends!

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Megs
January 20, 2014 at 7:16 am
I am only just learning about this disorder and it fits my ex husband and our truly disfuntional marriage of 15 years. I dont know to this day how I married him and why I stayed that long. I knew there were signs but then I got pregnant at 19 and he promised the world and then slowly destroyed it. Obsessive, controlling, manipulative, I had no defense – I was always wrong. After years of therapy, I got the courage to leave almost 2 years ago but I am still slowly untangling myself from him. He has now started on our children and while i do everything i can to sheild them, his need for validation and perfection is destroying and I can see it affecting them. I thought I was going mad, that i was a horrible person…..reading these posts shows me that I wasnt going crazy, that my instincts were right and that Im not alone. I also believe my sister suffers from this. Im just hoping that I got out early enough for my childrens sake. I am in a new r/ship now and I am still on heightened alert. I knew some thing was wrong for years, i will not make that same mistake again.

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tash
January 20, 2014 at 8:18 am
hi, everybody i feel i am living with one right now we are married its only been 9 months but its been the terrible 9 months though i feel i still love him and really want this relation to work is there anyway to save this marriage of mine please please help me with ur suggestions

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Robin
January 29, 2014 at 3:53 am
Hi,

My names Robin, I’m 26, and I’ve been married for a little over 3 years now. After reading this article tonight, so many things have come together and made sense that its a bit of a relief to know I’m not going crazy in thinking that I’m always in the wrong in my current relationship. But I’m falling to pieces. I’m an emotional and physical mess and its starting to affect me in my school that I’ve tried so hard to be the best at. I can’t even talk to my husband anymore without lashing out at him and feeling like a Narc myself.

My relationship has had sooo many ups and downs in such a short period of time, now I feel like I can’t keep going forward with him anymore. A part of me still loves this man even after all he’s put me through. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but after reading this article its help me made sense a bit more about why we have such horrible communication issues and why he has been so difficult to trust. But I am at my breaking point. I am emotionally damaged to the point I’ve been thinking about hurting myself, and I haven’t had those kinds of thoughts since my highschool days. I’m so over being hurt and let down, but I don’t know if its a good time to let go. I’m just very confused.

Can someone who has been in a Narcissistic relationship or is currently in one please help? Even some words of advice from a Narc itself would be so greatly appreciated. I feel I am at my wits end and if things keep going the way they are right now, I’m going to do something i’m going to regret. Please email me at chezarobin@gmail.com

Thank you!

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Inkspot
January 29, 2014 at 10:47 pm
I have been separated from my narcissistic ex boyfriend now for 18 months and am still struggling with the fact he has totally cut me out of his life. We were together for 10 years before I asked him to split and since he went he won’t speak to me or interact at all. We didn’t fall out, it was a grown up separation with little drama. The relationship ruined my life and it was my shrink that remotely diagnosed him as a narcissist.

I am glad we are no longer together but really fail to understand why we can’t be friends. I hurt everyday that he has cut me out of his life.

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A
January 29, 2014 at 10:55 pm
I have a husband that has NPD. He isn’t officially diagnosed with this. But I read his Psych profile and it fits completely. He has been verbally abusive, in pretty much all the ways all of you have already described. And has been physical at times. The real difficult part is he also has an anxiety and panic disorder. He has NO income, nor does he have a health card (Canada), so he can’t see a doctor, so I have to get his meds for him. Meds that if he had to go without, he would die from the withdrawal. So if I leave him, I’ll be killing him. I’m so tired. I can’t live like this anymore. Oh yeah, he’s also agoraphobic. Hence the no health card. He can’t go out to get it. Lately he’s only nice to me when he is out of medication. No doubt so I will go get him more. Once he has them again, he treats me like shit again. I’m cheating, lying, setting him up etc. How do you leave knowing you’re for all points and purposes killing someone that you love. It sickens me that I still love him but I do. I feel completely trapped. I am completely trapped. I hate myself. We’ve been married 11 years. 6 of which things have been getting worse and worse with each day.

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BESTIE
February 2, 2014 at 12:01 pm
HELLO I just wanted to say thank you so much for doing this for me and many others. At the beginning of the break up I felt like I would never love again and that my life has ended. Thanks to all your advice, I now have the courage to face every new day. My heart has healed tremendously and I feel like I can now really move on. If it wasn’t for your words then I would probably still be in that dark place of my life. Thank you, thank you!”drlawrencespelltemple@hotmail. com

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LostSoul
February 4, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Wow. I just sat here for hours reading your posts. I am still trying to figure out if my X is an N. I think he is and I think I am in denial of this. Help if you can.
I was maried for 25 years to a man 18 years y senior. The first 10 years were good then slowly disintergrated. Then I met “my soul mate” We were friends at first, but the sexual tension was there from the beginning. We started an affair. He was everything I never knew a man could be. Perfect. We would email for hours and I would cry knowing I could not be with him. He was very good at getting what he wanted. Said all the right things, at the right time. Wrote poetry I thought was for me but later (after living with him for 5 years) that all he did was copy from a book and change things like “white” roses to my favorite “yellow”.
Eventually he won. I left my unhappy marriage and moved in with him at his request. I was looking down to see cloud nine for the first 7 months. It all started crumbling down slowly, but surely.
We split up several, and I mean over 30 times, during the next 4 years. I would think – at first I had to get away from this man, and as soon as I did I thought I was going to die. Literally. I would panic at the thought of not seeing him, not being with him again. And I would go back. I loved him so much (and still do to a point) that I would have taken a bullet for him. And I do not mean the kill you instantly kind. I mean the leave you slowly and painfully dying from the infection of the bullet kind. The only thing I ever wanted with him was to die no more than 1 minute after he did.
I was pathetically in love and admit at some of our worst times I was psycho bitch. The very thought of him rejecting me…after…”I have given up emotional and financial security to be with you. How can you think it is okay to treat me like this, don’t you know how much I love you?”
So, 2 years have passed. There was some contact after the final breakup, but not much. I have not stopped loving him but I have learned to live without him. After being a housewife for 3o years (I am now 48) I have gone on to get my real estate license and trying to be a productive member of society. I have made new friends, and kept many of the old, shared friends.
The other night I ran into him at a party. He was there with a new girlfriend. It took everything in me to not acknowledge him. And I did very well. Then it happened. He walked across the room to walk behind me and make physical contact as he did. It was extremely sensuous. I ignored him completely. 10 minutes he later he retraced his steps back to his table and brushed my backside with his hand. Again, I ignored this. A few hours later it was time for my group to leave. The hostess and I walked out front together, chatting and saying our good-byes. Here he came, out the front door, to his car, and then back towards were we were standing, grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle caress as he said to me, “can you at least say hi to me?” I said, Oh Hi and went back to my conversation.
I have played this out in my head a thousand times in 2 days. What was that? Why was that? He was always cryptical in speech and movement, everything had to be analyzed and/decoded.
Then I remembered the seating arrangement. He and his girlfriend, although at the same table, were not sitting side by side and had another person in between them. I should note the party was superbowl and casual, with most everyone else, myself included, standing around the tiki bar as it has been for the last 7 years. A very loud, obnoxious fun fun fun group of people to be around. When he and I were together our friends would always comment on our touching. We never went without touching each other constantly, even to the last day. It was a hand on the cheek for a second, a touch on the shoulder, anything that was contact and it was mutual and without thought. More often than not we could have a conversation without saying a word. When we realized what had happened we would laugh about it. We were soul mates, no doubt about it. At least I thought we were.
I have sent a few emails over the last 2 years, not of the begging kind, and they have been greeted with absolute silence from him. So for him to make a comment about saying hi to him at a party….again, I am confused.
Perhaps I am only kidding myself. Perhaps I am the one who is crazy and needs help. I want him in my life and I sometimes wonder (only to myself) why? So I can turn around and reject him? I don’t think so. My own feelings for him scare the life out of me. How do I really feel about him now? I would love to get a phone call, text or email from him. Or would I? What would I do?
I miss him. I miss his voice, his laugh, his easy going manner. His touch, his face, his eyes. I miss meeting new people and their comments of what a “dynamic couple” we make. And most of all I fear I will never find someone who I will ever love this much again. Someone who I actually yearn to be around.
But he is capable of being a very nasty man.
He once said to me, “if I have never loved anyone…you are as close as I came.” I believe that statement to be true.
After the incident at the party I am quite sure that a break up with the new girlfriend is forthcoming. I feel certain there will be an attempt to contact me when this happens. I am also quite sure I will spiral out of control when it does.
He is 57 years old, been married 3 times, the longest marriage lasting 27 months. One girlfriend after another. I stayed with for 5 years.
Do they ever change? When is it too late?
I’ve written a book here and I apologize. I feel much better now that I have let this out. My friends would slap me silly if they knew I were having these thoughts and tell me to put on my running shoes and don’t look back.
I can’t stop checking my email to see if it’s him.

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Free
February 6, 2014 at 10:17 am
I think I have just left a 2 1/2 year relationship with a narcissist maybe mixed in with some other personality disorder, I’m not sure as I’m not a professional.
Don’t get me wrong the nice side of him was extremely loyal and devoted, always there physically and practically and as far as I know faithful but the other side of him was a cruel, self centred, cold person. He was demanding over small matters that left me feeling like I was being sucked dry, expected me to be listening ears for all of his problems which he felt the need to repeat and repeat but with no feelings for me or anyone else he was emotionally dumping on and draining. He has a large family and I felt like he and his endless going on about them swamped me an my own inner emotional world, again he could not hear that let alone think and stop being so OTT going on about his and his world. The weird thing is that all his problems were what I see as a natural part of life and having a big family and yet I have some quite serious issues with my family which I don’t often talk about as I don’t want to burden people, I find it hard to trust and open up to people and I don’t like going on and on about stuff. And yet on the times that I really needed to talk he would falsely accuse me of going on too much to the point that I felt wrong to talk and definitely not heard in a compassionate way, would accuse me of being at fault for the problems I have with my family and also twist matters in a totally irrational way bringing in issues about how my problems with my family were all of a sudden about his family members! Even though I never mentioned his family. All this and more, he hated being challenged on anything and if I did he would go up like a bottle of pop and start a full on temper tantrum saying that he was being bullied and saying that I never appreciated all the things he did for me (I did as I have had to live a lot of my life independently and therefore take little for granted) and even if I knew 100% hand on heart that he was doing something wrong he would deny it and turn it back to him being the bullied victim. More of the story, he would over-react to a lot of things, make massive mountains out of mole hills, continue arguments for days and then accuse me of doing exactly what he had done. A little bicker you know like when you bark when you are tired would turn into me being a “nasty bitch”, a “bad tempered bitch” etc, most people in healthy relationships would just ignore and think “ahhh she’s tired and feeling crabby” but not this character. He was completely oblivious and didn’t seem to care about the impact that his over-reactions, temper tantrums, nasty words had on anyone else – including his children and like I said, it was never about him, he either denied what he did or blamed other people for his actions and reactions. I am sad to lose the nice bit of this guy but the longer that I knew him the more that the dark side kept rearing its head and that made me feel very unsafe and always on eggshells wondering when his next explosion that wasn’t his fault but all mine would be. I don’t know whether these people are conscious of what they are doing but whether they are or not they are very destructive.

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feeling guilty
February 10, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Ok I need some serious advice. I have been involved with a man for the last 7 months(didn’t know he was a narc until about 3 weeks ago). We have only seen each other about a handful of times but have been texting daily & have talked about the future etc. He confided in me about something very personable & serious and asked me if I could financially help him with it b/c he is in fear of possibly losing part of his property b/c he doesn’t have the means to do so. I agreed b/c I have fallen hard for him and I do have the means to help out. So the day came to give him the check to help him & I was ok with it but realized the next day or 2 after his demeanor changed dramatically towards me. He became rude, somewhat argumentative about everything, criticizing me about stuff and very short in his texts. He has been hot/cold over the last several months but I just played it off as being a Virgo b/c they have similar traits. He had never acted this nasty before so I immediately thought to myself I had just been played and used and asked for the check back. He agreed to that but of course he had some not so nice things to say to me & it has left us totally now not with any contact at all. I know now that he is definitely a narc but my problem is having deep guilt for agreeing to do something for someone and then not sticking to it. I know he is not entitled to anything of mine but I am an honest woman and keep my word. I just feel horrible for leaving him stranded like this even though he has hurt me & used me. So my question to anyone is should I feel guilty for not following through? How do I get over feeling guilty for hurting someone this way? Also with him being hurt this way will he still try and come back for future use? I am moving on and don’t want him back just dealing very hard with my guilt.

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daniel
February 15, 2014 at 6:08 pm
@feeling guilty,’
My ex N/S (narcissist, sociopath) used guilt, manipulation, the silent treatment, whatever she could to emotionally devastate me on a daily basis for 2 years. N/S are masters of gas lighting, mirroring your every dream and compassion until they have you so (what we think is in Love) loving and wanting to honor and protect or in my case save them. Then, they turn it all around and make you the aggressor through accusations and/or blame. When you haven’t done anything wrong in the first place.
I was accused daily of cheating, lying and being horrible. Then I was the greatest man that ever lived besides Christ. It was an emotional roller coaster to say the least. She has been gone about 6 weeks and I am just starting to find myself and realize what happened.
subsequently, I have lost my business (hvac company), my home and everything I worked for in the process. A week ago she text, emailed and called (voicemail) asking for help and needing money because she’s in trouble. Really?!?!? My life is in complete devastation and she wants more. Uh, no thank you very much.
I am in counseling, so are my two boys, and even in this short amount of time I grew a little bit of a back bone and said no to her for the first time, ever.. I wanted to help, but then I wouldn’t be able to pay the bills at my new apartment. I did feel
When she left she literally took everything. Over the course of the relationship I was constantly trying to take care of all her needs and wants the way a man is supposed to do. I loved her out loud, honestly and with my heart and soul. Problem is N/S are black holes. The more you give the more they take, until the supply is gone and you’re in absolute ruins. Please go absolute NC in every capacity, they will keep coming because they know you’re a giving, loving, kind and beautiful person. You as well as myself are perfect targets!
So that was a little about myself and situation.
Your question about should you feel guilty?
Heck no, your feeding his narcissism is all your doing. He will continue to take and take and take from you in any and all ways he can if you let him. Please don’t, it’ll prolong your pain and suffering for eternity… Go NC, move on and never look back. You deserve a great love that’s reciprocated in every way not to mention FULFILLING!!!

I will be celebrating my 2 month anniversary of NC soon and I promise you: I feel better each and everyday. I don’t think about her every second anymore, now it’s a couple times a day and soon not at all and then I’ll be over it, stronger. But that’s a whole lot of hurt for love.

Take care, love and be kind to yourself..
You deserve it

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Lisa
February 17, 2014 at 12:17 am
If your guilt is the only thing you’re struggling with, in my opinion you should count your blessings. I was with a narc in a previous relationship for almost 2 years and during that time, he constantly needed my financial support, although I am a single mother with limited resources myself, but I was in a better position than he was financially. He was belittling, accusatory, vindictive, gave me the silent treatment, showed no concern for any of my struggles, constantly needed attention and affection but was dry when it came to showing it… I could go on and on. I ended that relationship with him owing me money and feeling like he had sucked the life out of me like a vacuum. Another relationship after that had me feeling disregarded and like an afterthought the whole 10 months, but it didn’t hit me that he too was a narc until around the 9th month. It’s a very complex and confusing disorder, and you will spend way too much time trying to figure things out. I would leave him behind without any remorse because he showed his true colors once he got what he needed from you. This pattern will continue if you continue to deal with him. I can promise you that, and I believe most of the narc victims on this site would say the same. Leave while you still have the strength to do so, and before you invest any more time and energy into it. Please leave now and “figure it out” later. You will be glad you did.

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kathy
February 12, 2014 at 6:48 pm
I just dont even know what to say i am so dumb wigs i would have seen this 3 yrs ago before i got invloved , the scary part is is that some of of ht posts actually sounds like mine and that he is fleecing some of you whilst being with me this is how crazy ive become

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elme
February 16, 2014 at 2:41 pm
All this makes me sad :-(

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Nikki
February 24, 2014 at 6:02 am
Reading all the comments made me very sad too,more for the fact that it is only now i realize i was in a relationship with a narcissist.I was with him for 1.5 year.At first he was very nice,kind and loving.He comes across as a friendly and adorable person.But things began to change after our first holiday together.He had to have everything his way,would not care about me at all,to the extent that did not even bother to come to the hospital with me after i caught a terrible allergy.He felt happier to talk to strangers than spend time with me.He belittled me,criticized me all the time.He needed attention from his friends,females in particular.He never cut contact with his ex,took her on holiday twice while we were together,flirted with other women in social media,telling me they are just friends and there was nothing wrong with that.He challenged me emotionally like no one has ever before.I became completely insecure and started to believe that i was on the wrong.What on earth was i thinking?The worse part of it all is that he called it off when i challenged him about one of his so called ‘female’ friends.He insisted they are just friends,but i found out only yesterday that he is now with this woman.I felt completely devastated when i found out,but it made me realize that he never deserved me and misused my kindness.I cut off all the contacts with him,removed him from FB,Skype,deleted all our photos and got rid of his presents.Still can’t come to the terms that i allowed myself to fall in love with him.I feel betrayed and hurt in every sense of the word but i am on my way to recovery and gaining back my self-confidence.The site helped me a lot, so thank you all. Hang in there, be strong.

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uhboy
February 18, 2014 at 3:06 am
The volume of comments about this topic is comforting and disturbing. I am in the midst of divorcing my narcissist wife, who for years conversed with me in a way that I found abrasive, insulting, and demeaning. Not in a confrontational or obvious way, but in a subtle, eroding way that just wore the relationship to a thread. BTW, there is a great site called shrink4men.com that detail a lot of this stuff. Its been great for me in framing this type of personality. Anyway, my narc is extremely charming, tall, thin, and attractive…but deadly. We even had 3 kids. The last one in July…only for me to find a few mos later that she basically chucked our marriage to pursue some married guy that she was gaming with online…in another state…and she has been jetting off for weeks at a time to rendevous with him on his biz trips. He also has kids. Its like some pathetic harlequin novel, but unfortunately me and our very young kids get to live it in real life. She has no shame, no remorse, no moral compass, no guilt….only blame…for me. “what did you expect?’…was her excuse…see, it was my fault. I was so ‘mean’ that I forced her to have an affair….shame on me! My hope is that she argues that she ‘needs’ to travel every other week and give me at least 50% custody. And then after their affair falls back to earth, we can all pity her and move on with our lives.

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B
February 19, 2014 at 8:45 am
Excellent article!. The suggestions to look at and care for oneself (instead of the annoying narcissist in one’s life) are extremely helpful. I feel like I could benefit from reading this daily! Thank you!

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Me?
February 19, 2014 at 9:33 am
I am stunned that there are so many people experiencing this. I started googling this morning for some characteristics of my partner in order to try and understand what is going on and where/ what went wrong….the most ticks I could make was on the definition of a narcissist.

I am a strong person or believed that to a great extend with strong values and standards and a great family however the last couple of weeks I’m starting to doubt myself which makes me cross with myself for allowing this. How can all other people I know and meet think of me as interesting and knows me for the person I am and listen to things I have to say and with my partner I feel like a “background” screensaver and utterly boring and worthless??? He flips about the smallest things and has now made me withdraw because of this. I have been called names so many times now and sworn at that I don’t think there’s a name out there that I haven’t been called. Whatever I do is seen by him as bullsh@t and he breaks it down, all aspects of my life have been commented on from primary school, area I grew up, family, friends, work, church and not in a supportive and uplifting way either….

He is VERY opinionated about everything and whatever others also do is seen as stupid by him and he could have done a far greater job of it than those people. I can count on one hand in almost three years how many people he has complimented or said good things about and if he does its only by him benefitting from those people. His comments and statements outed or rather “believes” (as he is so convinced he is always right about everything) are sometimes so far fetched and outrageous that its ridiculous and doesn’t make sense and I am at the point where I feel that even of the cat has babies that it will also be my fault as everything gets turned around to suite him and I end up being called “f….stupid and truly f…up”. He is never wrong and has no conscience of even feeling bad by calling me these things and carries on, its like degrading others makes him feel more great about himself….really think I’m nearing my breaking point as I cant imagine a future – how much worse will it be in a marriage with him and he doesn’t want to get married like he to told so many people but to me he says he wants to but also only on his conditions and that he doesn’t want children as he has two from his previous marriage and has what he wants!…

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annie
February 22, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Hi

Im at my wits end is it me, I have been in relationship for 4 years its never gone any further, he does not want to plan for the future, he has affairs and says that he does it in case I leave he will always have back up with another woman, he says he tells me he is having affairs because he wants me to feel insecure so that I do not leave him, he loves arguing and I hate confrontation. He tells me if I do not like what he does I can just leave, then he says I wouldn’t be able to leave because im addicted to him. Again im ok if I do not make contact with him but once I answer the phone im dragged in again, I love him so much and could have given him everything but he does not care about me im just there for when he wants me I also feels so lonely in this 4 year relationship….help im going crazy

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April
February 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Hi. i was in a relationship for close to 11 years with a man who at first was nice a complimented me way to much. Then after about a year and a half into out relationship he started talking to other women when i found out about it he would act like he stopped talking to them, but i caught him again he put on this pity party, but anyway. I felt alone in this relationship, i could never hand out with my friends with out me being on the phone with him ALL the time, even at work he would text me or call me and want me to bring him something to drink or eat or do something else for him when i got off work. We would always go to the movie (stuff he liked to do) and when i suggested something i liked it was brushed off to the side. If i wanted to go shopping for stuff he would tell me to go but when he wanted something i had to go. He easily got upset over someone talking about him or anything that got close to hurting him he would go off. Now that we are no longer together because he just up and left… he still tries to control me and if he can’t he will use our kids which ends up working and it just stresses me out because i do still love him and i always will we have been through a lot together and we share children ( i just don’t agree with the children being used to control me). He always thinks he knows what im doing when he doesn’t, like he accuses me of being with another man when im simply at home in the bed or grocery shopping or out eating with my good friend. I need to know how to get him to stop and leave me alone, i wanted so badly to be with him because i loved him to no end but now ive learned to love myself more then to keep letting someone hurt me like he has. He’s always right never wrong and wants to argue about everything. Sometimes he can be sweet and try to be understanding but at the same time look confused about whats going on.
can someone help me understand….

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sunshine
February 19, 2014 at 4:48 pm
Thank you for this post. I am the Narc and have sabotaged two relationships by this behavior that I didn’t know I had. I am extremely in awe and the comments that people have to run from a “N’ is not always true, I have always looked for ways and understand why I behaved in such a way and I wanted to do better but never knowing how and by the time i maybe could have turned it around it was to late, and left to figure out why. Now, I need to figure out why because I did lose two great men in my life and I also have two boys and I need healing for myself and for them because I need to work on the damage that has already been done and start the journey of healing for my family. TEARS of understanding and grateful that I have a mind to want to do and be better!

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Anonymous
February 19, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Hi all I read all these comments and I too have been subject to a narc. I’m still in a messed up relationship with her long story short I was friends prior to getting with her she has 3 kids that I’ve raised as my own I have 4 of my own with her as well.i moved into her house and things were great to start roughly 2years into the relationship we had a loan on the house to get it done up modernise it.worst mistake I have ever made.she has bipolar as well everything that went wrong was and is still my fault she never admitts anything even stuff that has gone wrong with others it’s always mine or there fault.after nearly ten years we now have split up she has met someone else and I still live at the house with the 7 kids she comes back for two days a week sometimes more I don’t know where I stand regards to timing and days.she has controle over benefits and only leaves me with bare minimum and constantly throwing the loan in my face saying we would have money for everything if it wasn’t for the loan and constant blaim. I’m a ruined man I would run for the hills if I didn’t have the kids to think off.shes violent abusive to me and her eldest.i know if I left it would destroy them she loves them but not good for them she drinks a lot and when I’m not there she lets them and incourages them to run riot.constantly playing horrible music.i have no control as its her house I’m at my wits end feelings of suicide. I realy don’t know what to do anymore I’m scared if I go my kids will suffer or grow up to be just like her she is pure evil any advice on my situation would be greatly appreciated

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Ken
February 21, 2014 at 5:12 am
I really empathize. I was you Mr Anonymous 12 months ago. I left 2 kids and my ex after being, abused physically, mentally and financially for years. My advice is formulate a plan to escape. You need money, a place to go and someone you can trust who is not in your wife’s circle of friends.
The best thing you can do is get out and avoid contact. Go to the police and get them to lodge a Domestic Violence order if required. My ex is a solicitor so I have had heaps of fun in family court. but I am slowly getting my rights back.
The key to survival is forgive the person doing these things to you and realize that they are incapable of love and empathy which is why they behave in such a disgusting way. Focus on getting the kids out. Seek legal advice with a solicitor recommended by a male’s rights advocacy group before leaving. Stockpile all the evidence you can get at work or somewhere out of the house (financial records, tax documents, medical information important documents).

Rely on facts and don’t fall for their BS. If you must communicate keep it business like.
Most of all look after yourself, your physical and mental health, make friends. Become a whole person and get on with your life. Nothing is more destructive to a Narc to see that you have not only moved on but your thriving.

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Anonymous
February 22, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Thank you ken for the advice
Many thanks. mr anonymous

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Katy
February 20, 2014 at 2:39 am
Okay, I am an extremely narcissistic person. Sometimes in a relationship I even know I’m hurting the other person and yet I still do it. It’s not that I want to do it – I just can’t help it. I want to feel love…I want to be ‘normal’ but I just have this inner demon I just can’t over come. I purposely push guys away…I make them fall in love with me and I pus them away….
I don’t want to be like this. I want someone to love me unconditionally. .. I just don’t know how to allow that to happen.
I recently pushed away a man I could have easily spent the rest of my life with. He is perfect. But I found his weakness and I used it against him. Now he is gone and I’m back to self-loathing. Why do I keep doing this and why can’t I stop?? Ihave children also and I know they try and reach out for me and I try and give to them to the extent I can give to them. Inside im just an endless void. It doesnt mean im a monster. I do value partners and others…but the article is right. I dont see them as an equal. I HAVE to excel at everything and im basically tired of this!!! I just want to feel something so I can be normal.

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Sher
February 21, 2014 at 12:00 am
I have.

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Sher
February 21, 2014 at 12:14 am
I have been with my husband who I have come to understand from my therapist has very strong characteristics of narcissism. We have been married for 13 years and dated for 5. He is very controlling, seems to enjoy bringing me down and there are many periods of ups and downs. A couple of times when he was very angry he threatened me but usually it is arguing and yelling when I will not agree with him. My children and other family members want me to leave so I can enjoy the rest of my life. Some say I should leave should I decide to do that when he is at work, others say I should try to talk to him and wait until he finds an apartment as well. Sometimes I am fearful with his moods so I really am not sure and could use some feedback. It is a loveless marriage, it did not seem to start out that way. Any responses would be appreciated.

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Me Not So Lucky
February 21, 2014 at 8:11 pm
WoW !!! So I found an N again…just realizing how co-dependent I Was….always trying to help, fix, Extra Love, & just realized at 50 years old….I DID IT AGAIN ! Moved in w/an N…….& 6 months ready to MOVE OUT ! YEA ! I can do this…..*** when I first met him, I was so charmed by his Smile, he said he wanted to make me feel so Comfortable, & I saw signs of him being so induced in himself & drag people into his so induced world , the way he sees it…he’s an alchoholic, & said, to me, ALL I EVER WANT IS TO COME HOME & Be left alone…& Drink my beer, weekends are just lovely, when he pours the JACK N COKE, more repeating how, the world is a mess & he is the only one that ever worked…& he should just stay at home & collect welfare to…..This is getting sickening…& the N comes out by always SHITTING ON ANYTHING I LOVE…if he can hurt me with a smile, he will use the Smile to hurt me,,,,like my roses went drop from freeze he gave me on Valentines Day, & I said oh my look, he had a big smirk smile, & will stare into w/ evil eyes, over anything, to make Me feel bad for wanting to sit by him, or talk to him….& when he snarls, oh, that’s a classic,,,,real cutey pie now, I can’t wait for MR. CHARMING,( ASSHOLE ) TO COME HOME TONIGHT…LOL…..at a Party he’s the life of the Party, Dancing, FUN, until he had me in his twist…..Now This Great Guy is Blank Inside, I never see any emotion, .. I said was this how all the other relationships were he said,,,YEP…….he comes home, usually always a shitty day at work, stomps in, & goes into the cold garage, & puts on a propagn heater & calls up 3 different guy friends & talks & looks at his phone till 11 pm ..like there is so much more important phones calls to be made & to call, so he can chat & ramble on, & on & on..about how his day went or just calling to see how your day was, what did you do,,, but me…snarls…to leave him alone…I’m in the way,,, He says ,,,, he will be up to eat at 10,,, he says he needs his space…he is unemotional …to a 2 same word 3 x a day, **** K, LOVE U **** don’t talk to me….he ignores his 15 yr old the same way, this is sad…to watch, his routine day in & day out……he says he was happier when he was single, & doesn’t really matter to him if I leave or not….we broke uo 2x he said, he can’t see being with out me…Yep, I can see the next women ( WALKING INTO HIS CAGE, he built here for 30 yrs…..) he thinks HE / SHE will be happier….? …my friends are really upset..They said to get out, because I am such a happy person, & they reassure me when there men come home, they actually have Fun together, & have a few TV shows to watch , Anything… HE WONT GIVE ME ANY FEELINGS no WORDS OF Love, of being of Anything.. He got me diamonds for my birthday & CHRISTMAS, because he knew he screwed up w/ not being a good partner, But Promised the world, said were gonna go to church every Sunday, & then says how tereable it is, & tells his son it was all lies…..I really got my hands full on this guy…HE IS EMOTIONALLY BANCRUPT, ALCOHOLIC, & Now this NARSSICIST ! Unbelievable…..he is so intelligent, & also that’s my WEEKNESS, always has been…. Now I Somehow Hit the TRI-FECTA ! I would have probably not WOKE UP if he wouldn’t of broke my finger, when I picked up his cell phone 3 weeks ago….what a Douchbag ! He got a restraining order on his 2nd wife, his first wife I get along with, she is really controlling, & I did feel a little sorry on his mistakes he made, till I see now, he used them for there money,,,,,,,It also seems to be all about money. I asked why he refuses to touch me anymore like he used to, he said; because he is stressed.,,on & on & on, LIKE HE JUST ENJOYS HEARING HIMSELF TALK OVER & OVER & OVER, gives him a High,,…I laughed & said, that’s a weird way of thinking, WHAT AN OXYMORON ! LOL. ** GOOD LUCK PEOPLES, IM OUT OF HERE ** I read enough to HIT THE ROAD, & DONT LOOK BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM LEAVING WITH A SMILE : ) because I was HAPPY BEFORE I MEET HIM…& IM NOT GETTING STUCK !!!!! YIKES !!! Oh & ILL SAY A PRAYER FOR THIS GROUP,,,,& GOD BLESS ! I walk like Jesus, taught me to walk,,,,I think he would say, YOU DONE THE BEST YOU COULD WITH THIS GUY ! I’m leaving & taking all my LOVE W/ME…….because the way you all talk …..he will never, ever, ever change,,,,,now he can belittle, make fun of , & say smart remarks all day long over the next women he CATCHES IN HIS TRAP !

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Ausiegal
February 22, 2014 at 3:48 am
I read ‘Broken’s segment. My heart goes out to you. Similar situation! Most difficult part is his saying great stuff about me in public, but in private he criticizes – almost daily. It’s definitely a need he has. Next day acts like nothing happened and he seems fine – I’m not, I’m in pain because of his behavior. When I tell him he hurt me, he talks about himself and how I injured him and I’m to blame. What? Imagine 25+ years of this! I’m Christian and will commit to pray for you and all the hurting people who are victimized by people like this. I’ve lost a lot of friends because of his behavior – they see thru it, but the loneliness is there. It doesn’t go away. I do know that God sees everything. I mean everything. Ask Him to take care of you and change your situation. Ask for His help.

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Melissa
February 23, 2014 at 6:37 am
hi I have been in a narcissistic relationship on and off for 3 years now. we have a 2 year old son and i don’t know how to deal with it any more. he is always putting me down and calling me really really mean names and focuses on my insecurities. i pay for everything and have held a job this whole time. i take care of our son 100% and very rarely get out to see my friends or my family. he drives my car and uses my gas. if i have to work his mom watches our son and not him. he is out almost every night with no concern as to how i feel about any of it. im tired and hurt and miserable and every time i try to tell him how he makes me feel he tells me im trying to fight when all i want is some balance. some respect and for him to care about how i feel but it doesn’t matter because it doesn’t have anything to do with him personally. i feel like he has sucked me dry emotionally and physically. he tells my two year old to tell me bad mom and tears me down. and i know hes not happy with himself and i try so hard to help him and do everything to make him happy but its never enough no matter what he is angry and its always some how my fault. he is in counseling now but i still feel like it doesn’t help. so why do i stay? why do i let him tear me down and make me feel worthless as a person, as a mother and at my job even he tears that down cause apparently i dont make enough money to support him and his habits of drinking and to provide for my son…..i dont know what first steps i can take to get out of this relationship. every time i even think about how to leave i get anxiety and it seems so hard and im not sure why, we did split up for a while and i had my own place and me and my son were great and some how he came back into our lives cause he had no where to stay so he was sleeping on my couch after breaking up with his girlfriend he had left me for and the whole 6 months we were apart i took care of my son. he maybe saw him or helped pay for anything once a month for an hour. and that whole time he never cared if i was struggling and still to this day he doesnt care how angry i still am at him for all the pain he has caused me. but why did i take him back? why wont i just say done and done and leave? i have lost all my family and most of my friends and now recently my job because of how miserable and how much he has brought me down i feel worthless in every way of life and im not sure how to get myself back on track. i just want to be happy and for my son to live in a happy environment. he isnt always a horrible person and the sad thing is is he has good things about him but his good is so small compared to his bad.

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Rossi
March 1, 2014 at 6:22 am
Read “Girl’s Guide to Predators” by Allison Summers…. it will tell you ALL you need to know to stay away from creeps and spot them a mile out, female and male.

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Scott
March 1, 2014 at 11:22 pm
This is very interesting… and WOW, what a list of comments! I think that I might be narcissist to an extent and I would like to improve / change for me and my wife’s sake. I am thinking of going to a psychologist… Has anyone tried this? I am seeing a lot of comments suggesting that people leave their narcissist partner; however, no one is perfect / there are a boat-load of people with mental problems so I think that it would be in everyone’s best interest if there were more comments about what people have tried to subdue their narcissistic behavior and what did / didn’t work. Has anyone tried the voice therapy?
The reasons that I think I’m narcissistic include: I have always enjoyed showing off (sports, etc.), I strive to be the best at everything I do, I constantly compare myself with others (to the extent that I have a hard time congratulating them when they’ve made an achievement), I am a perfectionist (probably OCD), I have a hard time explaining how I feel, I have a low self esteem even though I’ve accomplished a lot (good education & job), I am a little controlling, and (the reason that I started searching the internet / found this website) I have been making jokes that put down my wife when we’re in public / with friends or family, which is not very often.
The reasons that I think I’m not narcissistic include: I think that my wife is an amazing, beautiful person, and I do love her, when we’re not with friends or family then I treat her well, I’m capable of admitting when I’m wrong, and I know that I’m not always right.
My parents are divorced. My father put down my mother and puts down his 2nd wife. They are constantly fighting with one another. I am no where near as bad about putting down my wife as he is and – prior to reading this article – I just figured that I picked up 1 of his bad habits. Something has got to give though because she doesn’t want to go out to meet with friends or my family with me anymore. I thought that I could just remind myself not to make jokes that put her down before we went out but that doesn’t seem to be working. An example of the jokes include imitating how she does things in front of other people (which she thinks is funny when it’s just me and her), making fun of how ‘slow’ she is for not catching a joke right away, and comparing her to my step-mother (who no one in the family likes) for not being able to walk a significant distance. I don’t feel like I’m being mean when I say the jokes but it is upsetting my wife. Help?

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Gee
March 2, 2014 at 2:28 pm
It will be 2 years in June since we split, but I still haven’t got over him. God I have tried, maybe it’s my ego that won’t let go I don’t know.
I think the woman he left me for is also NPD or a BODERLINE. I think this because I saw the manipulative texts she wrote to get him.
I have stopped the contact, he has tried different tactics but deep down I still long for him. I want to see him try & crawl back, but I would never trust him to take him back. He put me through hell, I lost 10 years of my life psychically & mentally. I know he still stalks me online but I put nothing public. Some people are stronger then others & I agree that I am codependent. I lost all my confidence & finding it really hard to get back up.

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mary
March 3, 2014 at 6:11 am
Hi My Name Is Mary,I have an 18 year old son that was diagnosed “Emotionally Disturbed” as a result of severe torture,trauma,emotional,verbal,mental torment etc. His step mother is responsible but his dad knew it was going on and did nothing.I am very frightend when he comes in a room and i am extremely uncomfortable around him.I sole custody after the incident and he has pretty much been in extensive therapy up until 2 years ago.He tears me down everytime he speaks,he gets enourmous gratification mentally tormenting me and playing exhuasting mind games.He will check the mileage on the car we share to see if i went anywhere.He called me at a firends house one night when i was getting some time away for the night and said he had taken many pills and that i should not havE gone.I currently am in a mental break down and not well and he brought people over to the house and proceeded to make fun of me.Is this reportable and the domestic violence act? where do i start he has damaged me so badly the sadness and pain of why he is doing this to ME is so great at times i feel like i’m going to die.The sickest part of it is i have Multiple Sclerosis.I feel that he is capable if he were to snap some day hurt me.I have gathered strength from God and have served him a 30 day notice to vacate.I KNOW HE IS SUFFERING AND THIS IS ALL THE PAIN FROM THE ABUSE BUT DOES that make me obligated to take the abuse.I want to help so bad and i cant i’ll die from a broken heart.

Mary

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PsychAlive
admin
March 3, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Hi Mary. We are glad you have reached out for help, as that is often the first step to feeling better. PsychAlive is an educational resource and as such we do not offer psychological advice or counseling. We can, however, suggest some resources that we believe could be helpful. Since you express concern about domestic violence, we suggest you contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233), this free service is available 24/7. They also offer online chat here: http://www.thehotline.org/

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Hearts A Mess
March 3, 2014 at 1:38 pm
I decided to do a search on personality,lying,always right, and I found this discussion. I would love to learn more about this, and after reading article, I KNOW I am is a Narcissistic relationship of 6 years, with several split up, and i always went back cause I truly do Love him. I knew him for years before i gave into seeing him. I did not want in a relationship with him, and when dating progressed I made up my mind to commit to him, and I did. Well after a year of living together, things started changing, Without me even noticing, he was controlling me in a silent way. Then the manipulation came on strong, would say i said something and i didn’t, he chooses not to listen to me anymore about anything, and say im talking to fast or im not talking loud enough or will just HUH a million times a day. What i cant get a grip on is how he can not Love me and why he would wan to hurt me so bad, and he acts like its nothing, he acts like i Messed up, EVERYTIME. These are some of the things hes done to me Kicked me out of house leaving me walking down street with bags if he let me have any at that time, and when we moved in together we had to move 30 miles due to Economy, no where to live, plus we had worked together in this city, so when i walked i got far enough away from the houe before i could borrow someones phone to have a friend 30 miles away pick me up, That happen so manytime that my friend bought me a track phone to keep hid for when he started. Well thats the little part.In 2009 i almost died they gave me a 20% chance to live i wast tied down to a bed four 4 days, all due to the stress he had put me through, I had gotten a dwi, one day a friend came by and we set on front porch and had couple beers, i went and got in the shower and he opened up bathroom door, tore down shower curtain rod, the thing on the wall screaming and yelling at me to get the hell out of his house conditioner in my hair soaking wet he grabbed me and threw me out of the bathroom. This came from no where, so i hauled ass, and while driving,crying,emotional, i get pulled over a get a dwi. then he bonded me out after him making me beg him over and over, he was so mad when he got me out the next day, so life just got worse. Then he decided while i was in bed one night that hes gonna call my bail bondsman had one of my friends pick him up and take him to the bondsman and got his name off my bond, and never told me i got a phone call while working 2 days later telling me if i didn’t find someone to sign my bond they would have a warant issued for me. So we split up again My dumb self came back and spent Christmas with him, He started pushing me around the house, And this man is big i dont play around with that, i am a little 100 lbs. lady, so there i go i took off running, well needless to say he called my probation officer told her i was over here, he knew i was not suppose to leave my county 30 miles away, so she revoked me went back to jail, see the judge he made me move back to this county get a place to live with a phone and put me on house arrest for my last 2 months. Try this one I sat and kept my mouth shut through all our arguements at the first but im so tired i try to defend myself he call me slut,whore,tells me im ugly that i stink, takes thing hes given me away my engagement ring every fight it goes, sewing machine, In 102 degree weather he has for 3 days in a row, turned off the electricity to front part of house, lock himself

I have wondered for so many years, WHAT could make this man, be so loving 1 minute and act like the devil the next. I Love this man unconditionally, but i am so tired of taking blame for every little thing in the world that go’s wrong, taking blame is one thing, but the violent,manipulative,yelling,calling me nasty names, i just cant take no more. he is 53 yrs. old i just need him to act it. I am turning 46 next month i am a little over 100 lbs, he is 5’11 pretty decent sized man and i am scared to death of him, he has pushed me around, woke me up pout of a dead sleep while napping on couch and had both of my arms dragging me to from door to throw me out of it, everything was fine he is a truck driver and he just got in the day before from being out 20 days, well i went back in door crawling hurt, and i dialed 911 he drug me again to out on porch the he took off he knew he was in trouble but he hid and of course i felt bad i don’t want him in jail, but i wore huge bruises around on my arms for 3 weeks it is summer time and he is telling me to cover them up each arm had bruises the size of grapefruits plus carpet burns all over me and my face. He almost acted like it bothered him that time. He gets in my face with hate about to explode out of his entire body and face with his arm and fist calked back telling me he wants to kill me, that life would be much better, without me on it. He always tells me he wishes i was dead, the first time he said it, i felt like he put a knife through my heart and twisted, took long time for that pain to go away. He will text me sometimes when i leave the house and say how nice i looked makes me feel good, but when i get home he takes that away, starts telling me i stink i am nasty, to get in other room. He has turned off all electricity to the house except his bedroom where the braker box is, for as long as 3 days in 102 degree weather, if he seen i had a candle he would take it away. while he stayed locked up in his bedroom with ac going. This winter, our first good freeze storm,the weather was sleet snow freezing for 3 days, well he turned electric off on me 1 night and turned it back on but i wasn’t allowed to use heater. He is ruthless, How do you do theses things to someone you are suppose to love. He kicks me out i quit leaving there for awhile cause its my house to, and he knows i have no where to go. He and i use to be so tight, close we were friend before we started seeing each other , we could talk for hours about anything and everything, And we just absolutely cant talk anymore. He calls me all kind of names whore,slut,Cunt Tells me my kids hate me my parents wont have anything to do with me, just anything he can say to degrade me he does it. He goes around talking all kinds of crap to his friend and work buddies about me. He lies,lies,lies. I cant stand a liar and a thief Christmas before last we had Christmas at our house, he only has his brother who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that earlier that year,which he and i are really close well we was setting making stockings early Christmas morning, and he was mad at me had to do with shopping at some store, well he threatening me bad already but trying to have a nice Christmas for his brother for his last one, ohh no that’s not happening he starts yelling at both of us, he wind up making his sick brother who cant hardly walk leave threatening him with a baseball bat, he just tried calming him down which made him worse. It was the sanest thing i ever seen in my life, then he started being nice to me. I wanted to leave so bad. He wont let me have any of my stuff when he kicks me out or i leave. I own my own business and 2 weeks ago i got us a out of town run, we made it so far had to shut down for the night i get us a room, he gets his stuff in shuts door draws curtains, i daid can i get my stuff, im sorry babe so i take to the door he lays down and just starts bitching, i walk back in said excuse me, he just kept on i said we dont have to stay in same room i can get another one, i grab my purse decided to go to store, well i get a phone call from my other driver he took off, so he left us stranded i had to hire a driver from another city to come help finish the load, and pay him cash. Oh lord we have been split up every since, He text me hundreds of text he want his money hes calling my jobs hes calling child support on me the child isn’t even his none of his business either. threatens to call IRS. you name it hes threatened. I have no where to go. been staying in motel, well i ran that as long as i could i have to check out this morning don’t know where to go, cant get my belongings. I’m so tired,my dog is there,he bought me my light bar for me to start working because i had quit my job to take care of his brother, so when i was able to go back to work he bought me light bar, he threatens me every time we fight so i have even paid him for it., NO I stayed scared at any minute he is going to come break it or take off when i will have work and need it and that will leave me in bigger bind then i already am.
So I have finally found what the problem could be. Narcissistic. I have felt like i have been living with the devil for the last 6 years. If anyone has any suggestions to help me at least understand this craziness in my life. i’m afraid ii am going to have to go back , cause i have no where else to go.

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ellie-anna
March 5, 2014 at 7:20 am
Hi to the post above:

JUST LEAVE. MOVE OUT. RUN AWAY. DO NOT TELL HIM WHEN OR WHERE TO. JUST GO. HE IS DANGEROUSLY DISORDERD AND IT WILL GET WORSE!!! GO TO A WOMENS SHELTER IF YOU CAN!!! PUT YOUR SELF FIRST FOR ONCE! SAVE YOU. HE CANNOT CHANGE.

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Barbara
March 5, 2014 at 9:46 am
Hi,
I have been reading several of the post on this site and can relate to many of them. I left my ex eight years ago after a year long battle very successful with breast cancer. I knew I was in an dysfunctional relationship long before that but just wasn’t quite sure why and what to do. When I went in for my first counseling session after finding out the lump in my breast was malignant my ex went with me, I was there to discuss what options, how to deal with the emotional, mental, and side effects of the surgery and chemo treatment. I was still dazed, in a state of shock, and not sure which direction I was going. He sat between me and the counselor and as she began stopped her and ask her a question about prostrate cancer. She looked at me with a “oh honey are you in trouble” and said we are not here to discuss that and proceeded to talk to me the rest of the time. I went through quite a lot that year had a mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy, and had started the year with a hysterectomy. In February of the following year I asked him to leave and I have NEVER regretted it.
The reason I am writing is not due to him, he still turns in my life occasionally as a result of our children. I life with three of my four children and I am pretty sure my youngest daughter is a narcissist. I heard the term a few months ago and look up some info very briefly coming to the conclusion that my ex was definitely on that side. Well the last year has been kinda ruff on us and I started noticing some of the traits from my ex in my daughter, then in the last two weeks it really became quite clear in how she behaves. The trouble is she has drawn in my older daughter as I call it the enabler, the older daughter has to do all the cleaning in their room because the youngest is to “Ha Ha” scatterbrained. Their room has to be just the way she wants it or she is not happy and then the older one suffers. She has the curly hair and everyone needs to admire it and her cause she is so cute. She is quite intelligent and don’t challenge her because then you are in for a real tongue lashing for insulting her. She quite ready to show off her intelligence in any and every conversation. She makes up childhood stories and tells them as if it really happen that way and it didn’t. And I think the most annoying habit is she has absolutely perfect memory and recall!! Just ask her! The saddest part for me is the influence she has on her older sister it is like she has reached inside the caring wonderful free spirited older daughter and replaced her with this unhappy grim person. When I try to talk to the older daughter she gets defensive about her sister and says I don’t understand her or I am to hard on her. Tonight it all came to a real head with the insults and put downs only I call them I am putting you in your place because you dared to get out. I know growing up with my ex was hard and that she carries baggage from both of us but I always taught my children that I was not a perfect parent and would make mistakes but when they were adults they had to accept responsibility of their life.
We are suppose to have a family meeting and work things out on Thursday and I am not quite sure what to do I don’t want to live under my youngest daughter rules, but I don’t want to make life hard on my older daughter. I figure she is an intelligent young lady who will see the problems and begin to work it out. I want to tell them we live as four people in the house. My older daughter wants us to live as a family sharing alike, trouble is my youngest takes the best for herself. My youngest son also lives with us a very generous and giving young man. He and my youngest daughter do not get along he sees her as selfish, self centered and arrogant, he is pretty much right. I need some advice on what to do and how to deal with a narcissist when it is your child, and how to help your other children see that.

Mom

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Barbara
March 7, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Help I am living with a narcissistic daughter (she is 28) who has us on a roller coaster of yelling and screaming at us, to crying and pouting when she doesn’t get her way, to playing the hurt one to my ex and using that to dig the knife in farther. I don’t really have a support group I can turn to or a group of friends to confide in. I feel pretty much alone in this battle and her aggression is so uncontrollable at times it is overwhelming. I want to tell her to leave, but she is my child and that is hard to do. I need to be able to talk to someone just to get a little clarity, a direction I can pursue. It has been a rough year already with losing my job and having to change careers and going back to school to accomplish this. We (my three children) moved back into the family home to save money when the personality problems began. Now I am trying to continue living life, going to school, and keep us all working through this struggle.

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PW
March 10, 2014 at 9:57 pm
I was in a 3 year relationship with a NPD. The first 6 -12 months it wasba dream. But then the mask came off and I found myself living a hell I never thought possible. I thought Im a strong person, I can handle this, she just needs more love and attention. No matter what I did it was never enough, I was always in the wrong, I was always having to back down, she completely drained me emotionally and then tossed me aside.
Its 5 weeks since she left, not a word from her I’ve seen her around she is happy and looking for her next victim.
They leave a trail of emotional destruction and never look back. I know this now, but each day is a struggle and I just push on. It will get better.

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DJ
March 11, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Sorry for your pain. Believe me, I’ve been there. I was a total wreck for 6 months. It will get better. I think once I realized that he wasn’t even thinking about me, and had jumped to another woman immediately, I finally understood how shallow these people really are. You will find someone much better , I promise. These people are evil and very sick. Believe me, she has done you a huge favor by leaving you. It may not seem like it now, but some day you will understand. I look back now and realize I would never want to spend my entire life with someone like that! You deserve better!

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Dav
March 12, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Bonjour, je sors actuellement avec une fille qui à la moindre petite discussion se comporte en victime et me traite de narcissique. En effet, mon passé elle le connait parfaitement, alors le sien est encore flou et j’ai comme l’impression que j’ignore beaucoup d’elle, de son passé etc. Or dans notre relation, elle a tendance à toujours dicter les règles de conduite, ses caprices peuvent faire des jours avant d’en finir. Parfois, c’est sur Facebook que je constate que pour tel problème elle ne m’a tjrs pas pardonné. ça m’inquiète et je ne supporte plus ça, je l’aime que dois-je faire ?

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shatteredheart
March 12, 2014 at 11:27 pm
I need some advice… My heart hurts so bad, and although I am angry and KNOW he is a heartless jerk.. why do I keep getting this feeling that if I just say the right thing or try to talk to him one more time that he will be the kind, loving friend that I miss so badly. It has been close to 3 weeks since he started acting extremely mean and nasty to me… before that I was the most wonderful person in the world to hear him tell it. I am crushed by the drastic change of treatment and even though I KNOW what he is capable of… I still think somehow he will realized it was mean and the wrong thing to do…a mistake. I want to believe that all that love and kindness was real… How do I get past this? How do I cope with this? I keep wanting to call or stop by his house. A Few days ago I did see him and tried top give him some of his belongings back… he screamed at me and took HIS belongings and tossed them across his front yard… Then stomped off into his house, telling me to leave. I did leave and thought to myself this is it… I now know he is truly a jackass. I was there to give him his things back, I said as soon as he saw me… I’m not here to fight or talk, just to give you your things and say goodbye. His reaction to the sight of me is RAGE and throw his own belongings around HIS yard? WHAT is the purpose of that? WHY can’t I stay i the mindset of FORGET HIM, HE’S NOT A GOOD PERSON?? Anyone have any ideas??

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Richie
March 13, 2014 at 3:15 pm
I am now pretty afraid that I am a narcissist! I had extremely narc parents and dated someone who I am sure was an NPD for a while. And now I’m one. Usually I think I am right, and I get tired with and distressed about other people’s wrongness. I have difficulty appreciating other people and their opinions, including in my relationship. It is very painful because the part about the bothersome “voices” is true, so keep in mind that no matter how tough it is to imagine, narcs aren’t necessarily bad people, they’re just very troubled.

The worst part is that when you try to get better with things like generosity, you only credit yourself for it even more and it’s an endless loop. It feels more like giving yourself something than giving someone else something. (“I’m such a good person/God will think I am such a good person for doing this!”) You get addicted to self-righteousness and the approval of other people without having any idea why.

NPD is the worst thing in the world. I wish my parents didn’t make me this way, and my childhood was terrible! It’s my greatest wish to have a relationship where I can truly appreciate another individual person…

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PW
March 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm
I know the feeling all too well. Its puzzling, annoying, frustrating, but most of all gutting. If it helps I think it is a common feeling after being in a relationship with someone like that. They do leave a massive hole in your life and it is hard to deal with. Its confusing and hard to accept that the person you thought they were they are not. I still look back with rose coloured glasses but then I have to remind myself of who the real person is. I take one day at a time and think each day it will get better.

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PW
March 13, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Surround your self with friends and family. Talk to them, I found it best to discuss all the things she has done. It helps remind me that she is the problem and that I havent done anything wrong and that I am better off without her. At times I write stuff down. But I found change is good, push yourself to go out hang in different places do stuff that is new and just try to keep busy. Allow thoughts to come in but dont dwell on them, give them a moment and then move on. Its hard, not easy, and I struggle every day.
You have to realise it will get better.

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Roberta
March 14, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Three weeks ago I made the decision of leaving my 6 year relationship with a narcissistic man. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I worry about him everyday and I cry myself to sleep thinking that I abandonet him. I keep telling myself that the problem is him not me. The red flags where always there but so where the good times. My eyes where opened a year and a half ago and I still felt like I could fix him. If I only would do more for him or if I learned to do things better, but regardless it was wrong and it was my fault. My life revolved around him and his needs and it still wasn’t enough. It has taken a huge hit on my self-esteem and now I feel so alone. I always felt alone even when I was him, so I dont understand why the pain is so huge. He has called me selfish over and over. He tells me that I failed him and that I abandon him when he needed me the most. He has thrown everything he has ever done for me in my face and said that how could I leave him and our future after 6 years. He has made me feel like the worst person who ever walked earth. Reading everyones comments is helping me understand that I need to love myself and never go back. It also helps to know I am not alone in this pain.

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shatteredheart
March 14, 2014 at 10:07 pm
I am so tired of crying every single day, I feel so lonely and so sad. I wish my mind and heart would stay on the right track. I have been fighting the urge to call or drive over to his house and try to talk to him. The last several attempts to reach out to him have been unsuccessful. He is mean hateful and threatening. I suppose I cannot get my mind to accept that he does not care about me. I think I believe if I say the right thing, it will penetrate that wall of hardheartedness and make a difference. How can I ever get past this … I just realized it’s been almost a month since this went bad… but it seems like yesterday. Weeks fly by and I can barely function. I do not want this to destroy me…. but I’m not feeling better. =( Anyone have any suggestions or advice?? The weekends are especially hard and it’s Friday. I keep thinking of what we would be doing together if I were there. It makes me sick because I was never given a reason… he just turned on me… made up his mind and I have NO say in it at all. He won’t talk or listen…The only thing he does show is anger and RAGE. I feel like I’ve been thrown away with the trash. =(

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velvetanne
March 16, 2014 at 2:59 am
The seriously nasty narcissists do not go onto social media or else they do not stay long. It is too difficult for them to deal with competition for attention or be confronted with what their life is not or any number of things. The folks that love the attention they obtain from social media/posts may or may not have some degree or narcissism but are probably not the destructive ones – the sadists who inflict pain to get any kind of attention. There are too many casualities in their lives and/or poor relationships – social media reminds them of this. There are several of the sadist varieties in my my family and life and none of them participate in social media – even if they have established an account. …..just my opinion.

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swart
March 17, 2014 at 3:04 am
it happened to me also

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Hearts A Mess
March 18, 2014 at 12:00 pm
This goes out to Roberta and Shatteredheart, Hi i am Hearts a mess call me D, I can relate with you and feel both of your pain as i am enduring it myself with recently finding out there really is a name for this behavior, it kind of feels better, but there is no cure, and nothing you can do and who’s life is more important because i promise you in the end which way he is going to go. Roberta when i started reading what you posted i had to scroll up, and make sure it wasn’t me who wrote that, I wrote so much on here and didn’t post, i really was wondering i say and the exact same things and so does my man, except his power trip this time isn’t as much about abandoning him as it is just abandon d, when he is the one who abandoned’d me on a job of mine. He calls me text me being so cruel to me just absolutely ruthless, calling my customers, trying to turn me in to IRS when hes 8 years behind, he tells me my family hates me my kids hate me,he will tell me i look good and 2 hours tell me i stink get in the other room he cant bare looking at me or smelling me. I don’t sleep at night afraid hes going to come and take things off my truck that i need to have for work just to hurt me, and when I’m out of town i cant sleep thinking of why why now and every road i travel on reminds me of him and i when we traveled them together, i am having to lock away the good memories for later and keep myself refreshed from the bad ones, and Shatteredheart lets three stay strong, I know if it wasn’t for my business i would be deathly ill, i know this cause i have been there twice due to this man, i got so bad one time so illl that i wound up in hospital hallucinating was gone for 4 days they gave me 20% chance to live, and back in 2010 it almost happened again, but i felt it coming on and i told a close friend i was scared that this was how it started before, and had kicked me out, I had to immediately go to the doctor and get put back on my heart meds and blood pressure and anxiety, the doctor seen me and said he didn’t know how i was standing, and chewed me out why in the world would i stop taking my blood pressure pill was i trying to kill myself, but my man tells me no one needs medicine they should be able to control their own self without medication. Doctor told me when i went to the pharmacy to turn them in to tell them doctor said this was emergency and stand there with a bottle water and take them there at the counter and told me which ones and them told me go home and take the one to let me sleep, well at this point i was at first stages of hallucinating prior to that i had probably taken every kind of stomach medicine that Walmart had no sleep and from 09 when i almost died they said no more Tylenol the ammonia went to my brain that caused all this they thought i was drunk on drugs the sheriff made them keep running tests and i was clean every time, i was crazier then a box of rocks. Well with the luck of my friend and 48 hours later i survived with a trip back to the doctor i was out there. What i am saying don’t let it eat you up. if it wasn’t for my company and doing damage control from him dodging every curve ball he keeps throwing my way, i would be in bad shape, i had a bad weekend crying, but i spoke with this one certain person who helped pull me through and they said do not get consumed by the text by him, don’t listen hes not don’t care about him cause hes not caring about you. and its all true. If he doesn’t call or text me it hurts, cause i keep thinking that that one nice phone conversation will come through and it does telling me something about a friend, the 10 mins later here we go, the devil done lit a fire under his ass. Shatteredheart i am wishing and wanting to say the right thing to help him to make him feel better to calm him down like i use to, i want my home back and the same time i have seen him bad but never like this and i may not be alive if i was there this past 3 weeks. I have no place to live no where to go pay for motels till i am broke got a storage but he will not let me have my belongings, the sheriffs dept. says i need to file charges and get a court order, the lawyer the 1 that would even talk to me said he doesn’t do harassment cases but i was going to have to file for a divorce and we were never married sheriffs dept as well said common law takes affect in our relationship. Lets stay strong and stay away, we can beat this, they cant and will not change, because first they have to admit and then they have to get help and that is where that is not an option when they get u back and yes shatteredheart he will come around messing with you as soon as he sees your doing good,i went back every time. NO MORE Enough is Enough. when he get over his own guilt of hurting you,when excepts to himself hes done nothing wrong and if he does except it and take responsibility for it the excuse will blow you away. Ladies lets not fall for it, or we will be their prisoner for a longer time and more time to get hurt worse. the wounds will get deeper and deeper I do love myself better then that. it help to talk, so lets talk, here or somewhere else we need the help. this is a hard thing to over come. but let us win our lives back to love and be loved. They can work on their next victim. and i dont want to even watch. I wish him nothing but good a happy full filled life hes 53 he should already be there, but he will never find it within himself, and i know he will never ever find anyone who loves him like i do.

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mr chips
March 19, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Hi my parents are now splitting up, and its for the best. Let me try to explain as best as i can. For the last 19 weeks my dad has stayed in the living room of our bungalow, he watches tv all day every day, he never ever speaks to anyone and i do mean never speaks he walks past me each day and his wife soon to seperate him, we moved hear a year and 2 months ago, this attitude of his has always been. Before this episode it was for 5 weeks, before that it was 24 weeks, i started to record things to try and see the pattern and as strange as it is i started to see my dad is one of those nasty people, he is always always nasty, shouting, arguments galore, mostly with women over the most silly things. He watches tv in the dark at night also thats it, no lights ever. he now stays up late when my parents use to talk he would go to be very very early 7.30 8.30 9.30 kind of times, we all found this odd summers evening and he goes to bed, now he stays up untill early hours. He creeps around in the dark, each day he takes the dogs out and walks them, thats all i see of him, to further all this i went to my room and just looked out my window, and love and be hold he was talking and joking with our nirghbour across the road like it was nothing and everything was fine and dandy, as you can imagine my mind is racing and yet he ignores me and mum fully and completely, we have tried to ask if anything is wrong, last time he threw the tv remote across the room and he smashed it, not even one word did he say he just flung it across the room, as you can imagine im stunned and thinking this guy is a danger to us my mum and those around him talking to others but his family is reactions to questions, the non talking. Once he said in front of me and my mum we should get in the real world, i just looked to my mother and she looked at me, we were kind of standing there with amazement on our faces, no talking for weeks on end a priod of what i can total abuse, and that is what he said, he once more walked away from the kitchen into the living room, narcisstict people are very very cruel, its seems misery and anger fuels them, and it can wiegh very heavy on you as a good person, yes it does affect you over all, but you the one thing i realised is you must i will repeat must stay very strong and confident in nice way, it does help guys. We are in the process right now of moving and getting away from this miserable man, we just can,t live like this no more, no answers, no talking, no asking, no interaction, no happiness who wants that life. MY dad just walks past each day and walks back past us and no words at all, and we have no idea as to why and you dare not ask as he just makes it worst. To me some thing happend to him or he was involved some how or some way in some thing to make him so miserable it can,t be just being stubborn to carry on like this, it just can,t be. So me and my mum made the decision enough is enough and we feel better for it, we are just trying to get through this and move on from him, he is just never going to change ever, its like we have been thrown away and we don,t know why, we have asked all kinds of questions and nothing works all kinds of approaches, he will not get help, no doctors, no hospitals, according to him they are all wrong, no life is worth this. So we just need to move on, my mother says she feels better knowing she has taken the first steps and its just a matter of time now, all we hear is the bathroom door closing when he goes to the toilet in the bungalow thats it other wise you wold never know my dad was there, it so wierd to me but to him he is not doing anything wrong, to me its mental abuse and torture well the ball is in our court now, he does,nt know yet but he will soon enough, we have packed up and he still has,nt approached us not one word, no talking to save his marriage, no sit down talks, its the wierdest thing i have ever gone through year on year, please look with better eyes people and i prey this never happens to you, it complete hell.

god bless you all.

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but I love him
March 20, 2014 at 3:24 am
I’m not sure if my husband is a narc or not. He left me while I was away, sold my things in a garage sale and took my deceased grandmother’s belongings to include her death certificate. I am always having to explain myself, if I do not give him the attention he needs then he gets clingy, if I give him too much attention then I am smothering him. Last year he stole our taxes and this year got mad because I filed w/out him but still gave him half of mine since I claimed our daughter (we split daycare). He was mad because I bought a new car and paid it off, said he could get me a better deal, then turned around and bought our oldest daughter a 16,000 vw w/ no warranty. He always plays the victim, makes everybody think he is this great guy. He had an affair in November, caught an std then I had to get checked, luckily I was negative. He likes to control our situations. Gets mad when I make my own decisions on things. When we get into a heated argument, he does the girlie “hang-up”. I have to watch what I say around him, watch the tone, watch the body language or else he will give me hell about it, that can last up to 2 days, sometimes even longer. Is this a narc?

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rose
March 20, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Thanks to articles like this I was able to work out what was going on with a man for eight months and it was pure hell! I read up as much as I could and it was such a relief because at one point I thought it was me! For anyone in this type of relationship I can only say Its not you, you are better than this and get out. His NPD was unbearable, embarrassing and soul destroying. The walking on egg shells, his belligerent behavior, the transference, the put downs, the lack of emotion during and after sex, the constant need to attack opinions as if it were a criticism of him and the peacock behavior was grating. The illusions of grandeur and the the need to be looked at, almost demanding it by young women when out to boost his ego was vomitus! But mostly it was his mind games, twisting and distorting information, experiences and words to suit his agenda and a screwed up perception was the end point. To anyone in a NPD relationship at the moment be strong by leaving and having a life on your terms. It will be a tremendous freeing sensation.

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Nancy
March 21, 2014 at 4:40 am
I’ve been really struggling. I was in a relationship for 3 years (right after my divorce to a man who cheated on me over and over again) to a man who was very fun and exciting. We lead a fast pace of friends traveling, and hanging out. I finally felt like i was living for the first time ever. After 6mo he moved in with me and I never had my space back. He started to become demanding that it was my job to cook, clean, do his laundry, and take care of his kids (one being disabled and unable to talk, the other an angry teen. Both lived with us). My former life was me having all the time to myself and having coffee with friends because my ex never wanted to do anything with me.
This man became so demanding and telling me that I have to ask him before I could go with my friends or even how long I could go visit my grand kids. Even though when I said I wasn’t going to ask permission he got mad and said it wasn’t asking permission but it was about courtesy for the partner. Then he constantly was going places with his kids and i always had to be with him! never any alone time! He is always saying that I’m his angel and that I’m on a pedastool, tells everyone how im so smart, loving, and hes damn lucky to have me. but then doesnt feel respected as a man because i wont listen to him. I told him i dont feel loved and he keeps saying that he will show me love after i show him respect. Not to mention sex….. He won’t touch me there, but only wants to look at me to pleasure himself. He wants me to touch myself because he finds touching me is gross. So I fear I’m unattractive. He can’t have an erection unless its him only but not with normal intercourse with me.
Well I finally kicked him out after 3years and he got another girlfriend in less than a week. All along still begging me to marry him. I was crushed. His daughter struggled because I was a mom to her and she wanted me at her track meet instead of his girlfriend. He told me then that she would not be second to me and we broke up so I needed to get over it and move on and stay out of her life. Now really crushed!
I moved on and found a really nice man who is calm and kind.
He never did let me go. He txt or called me weekly and had me crying most of the time. After 6 mo we got back together because he promised change and said he loved me so much and broke it off with his girlfriend. He took me on a trip where we talked, cried, and worked it all out…so i thought. then he started chewing me out again so I walked away. He’s threatened suicide, had people call me and beg for another chance, made an appt with a pastor, proposed marriage, and called me bawling etc… I rejected all of it.
Problem is… I’m so torn with him. He was so exciting and we use to talk on such a deep emotional level that we know each others soles. He sends me love notes, begs, misses me, loves only me, etc… And I find myself missing him to tears. I don’t want to miss him but I can’t stop! He says we are sole mates and we will never find a love as strong as ours. He said there is something in his every day that reminds him of me. I end up bawling. No matter how he has hurt me he keeps saying that he was hurt too. Help! When he loves me it can be so powerful! Why am I so easily drawn back when my head says stop? I just miss him so much
Then I went back to the nice man who can’t understand why I would go back to this man who does this to me. This guy treats me with respect and kindness but I worry he will be boring in time. How do I get this man out of my head? Did I make a mistake? Why am I so dumb?

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Ines
March 22, 2014 at 4:02 am
I am currently and have been for over 25 years in a relationship with same man who is as I finally understand a narcissist. I have never had a birthday Christmas present never a mothers day present never a valentines present or anniversary of any kind. I have more than four children I have cared for almost as a single mother. I want out of this relationship, as much as I loved him I am no longer in love with him as the pain and fear is overwhelming and now shadows anything else I feel. I tried every thing but now I don’t like the person I become around him. I need to do this to save my children specially my daughter who I do not want to see this as normal behaviour. The older ones know but the 2 younger ones do not one is already treating me like his father and my daughter is only 3 this I see as abuse if I don’t stop them being witness to the constant abuse. I am now in fear of him coming home from work as I know he will come in and the abuse will start again. I have asked him to leave so many times but he is not able to rent and he will end up on my sons doorstep, I don’t want to do that to him. I am at a loss as to what to do and at the end of my rope.

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Leah
March 22, 2014 at 6:56 am
Hello Everyone. This is my testimony and I hope you will learn, grow and gain the strength you need to choose to take care of yourself. I am happy, at peace, and grateful to be alive. My heart goes out to each of you, NARC or victim. My mother was an abusive NARC. She totally destroyed my spirit and any sense of my self-worth and self-esteem. My father allowed it. At age 4, I didn’t sleep or eat. I felt there was a tiger under my bed waiting to attack me if it heard me breath. I could hear it growling every night. So I tried not to breath…all night long. There was no one to call out to… Somehow I prayed. At that young age, I hid and locked my true spirit in a thousand closets located in the deepest darkest wells of my soul. I became a zombie with no feelings and no relationships. I did not know anything about love or trust. Out of desperation and to survive, I grew into the most co-dependent person on earth. I have 2 childhood memories. Both full of fear. As soon as possible, I left home. Only to marry two NARCs. As I secretly divorced the first one of 11 years, he broke into my apt and held a gun to my head while raping me at 2AM. He said he was going to shoot me and our two babies. If he couldn’t own me, no one could. So I prayed again for my children’s lives. And my spouse became fearful and ran away as fast as he could run. My second husband was all about pleasing himself, lying and threatening me while everyone was loving him. I was SO co-dependent, yet like you, I thought I was so in love. It was the best feeling, the best high I ever experienced. I couldn’t do enough to please him because that validated that I had some worth, occasionally. I didn’t exist. Finally, I had nothing left inside of me to give or even shed one tear. It was so bad, my spouse brought a woman home while I was asleep. It woke me up. She was standing in front of me and he lied, saying she wasn’t there. I was so sick, I wanted to believe his truth. I had to force myself to recognize the real truth. The real truth about me, and the way I chose to live my life. The next moment I knew I would kill myself if I didn’t save myself. I realized no one else could save me. You have to do it yourself. So, again I asked God to help me, to save me, to put me on MY right path. And HE did. I suddenly saw my spouse for who he is. I felt like I might be worth living for… I thought about ME for the first time since I was 4. I did not think about him. I found myself learning about faith and a high power. It was not quick or easy, but SO WORTH IT! It was excrutiating as a co-dependent to force myself to leave my husband or my “qualifier” with no friends, no support, but God and a strange lawyer. My ex-spouse threw me against a concrete wall, and screamed as he glared directly into my eyes, “What happened? What happened? I thought I HAD you. I know I HAD you. I know I did!” It was like satan was in my face. I was petrified. I asked God to give me the strength I needed at that moment. I told my EX to take his hands off me and to never touch me again. I watched him slowly shrivel up into the weak thing he learned to be during his childhood. He was a monster like the one under my childhood bed. Well that was 10 years ago. During the last 10 years, I found a Recovery Group and learned about addiction and co-dependency. I learned how to forgive myself and to heal. I spoke to my mother and she asked me to forgive her. I forgave her and my EX’s. I found peace and freedom; a chance to live and love. I learned that I didn’t love my spouses at all. I was addicted to them and to the hurtful pain. That’s why you can’t leave and you continue to go back. If you are co-dependent, you are addicted and live your life through another person. It is not love. Love is good and of God. It is positive and you feel peaceful and happy. The one you are living with and the lives you are living are not positive or about love. It is a living hell that you choose to be in. I know it well. I chose to take care of myself and live. Life is a gift from God, how you live it, is your choice. I am happy and at peace, and grateful to be alive. Won’t you join me?

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Matthew
March 24, 2014 at 3:16 am
Hi everyone, this is my very first post on a forum so it’s kind of a big thing :)
Sorry for my bad English, hopefully you’ll understand.
I am in a big need of getting this of my chest because i’m going crazy dwelling over this in silence. Talking to my wife about it is pointless because she will be extremly upset and start telling me how wrong i am. I married the love of my life 4 years ago. We have dated since 2006. So yes 8 years now. I fell inlove with her livlely personality. We have had so much fun together but our relationship has also been pretty hard for me. She have been extremly flirty with other guys. In the very beggining i tried to just brush it off but it kept going. All our friends (and i mean ALL our mutual friends, kept telling me how she is flirting, i’ve also caught her in many many lies. Then a rumor surfaced that she had been with another guy. I ofcourse talked to her about all this and she kept getting really defensive and saying that all these people are liars and that i should trust her. Even her Mom wrote me a letter telling me how thankful she is for how patient i am with her?!? Did even they notice these things? After awhile i had to make a decision. Either i leave her or i start trusting her. I choosed the second option. (Atleast 50% haha) i had to stop acting on it atleast. I shut it off, stopped thinking about it. This was slowly eating me alive. More lies came up but there was no way i could have a talk with her about it because it always turned into us fighting. I could feel how all this affected my personality. I became that akward guy who had a hard time being social (no offense, i like akward people :). She started complaining that i was so “down”. I told her that i was depressed but that i loved her so so much. That it had nothing todo with her. (I guess i lied to myself aswell when i said that i was depressed because of other things.) Then i found a quote on her computer that said ” that awkard moment when you’re falling inlove and all you can think of is “oh crap”, 2 days later she left me. This was now 2 years ago. She had all these explanations on why and everything was “my fault”. She started seeing a guy 1 week after she left me. That ended within a week. Then off to the next guy. Same thing there, ended pretty quick. She kept finding trust in all these other guys. 7 i belive it was, In just a few months. I was completly broken wondering what really went wrong. She started posting 10 photos a day on instagram/facebook etc. Seeking so much attention that my friends asked me what was going on because they thought it seemed alittle over the top. The photos was either about how “awesome her life is” or a depressed comment about something. Sure i’m not judging. We all grieve differently.
Around this same time i felt my peace in God and it was extremly calming. Sure i was struggling every day but i could always come back to prayer and instantly i felt his peace come over me. This was new to me because i had always been an atheist in the past but thru many years of life i finally found my way home to my Father.
My wife was raised in a Christian home and in the beggining this was foreign to me but i always respected their believes. (Becoming a part of their family was my first real introduction to Jesus).
I started to really work on myself. Even tho i can ramble about how my wife has been i still am a true beliver that noone is perfect and i wanted to get to the bottom with myself and try to become a better/happier person. I have alot to learn.
6 months ago, she reached out to me after months of silence. She said that she have had a Demon in her for many years, but that it was now gone. The demon had caused her to have her eating disorder that she has been struggling with for many years and also her problems with Lust. She told me she had found her way back to God and that she is a different person now. That she no longer is dealing with those things. She told me that she loved me and that God had told her to go and make it right with me. I was ofcourse really happy. I must admit that this demon thing kinda freaked me out. Remember i pretty recently found God and yes, beliving in Jesus and the Bible also means that there is a dark side to it aswell, satan and unclean spirits. I don’t want to focus on that but yes i should be aware of it. Either way…i was pretty freaked out about it because my only experience with that stuff in the past would be some bad movie. I had a hard time beliving it 100%. I was very happy to have my wife back tho.
Couple months down the road her eating disorder came back. I wanted to be supportive ofcourse but it also raised a question in my head regarding that demon. She had told me that this problem was gone together with her Lust?
We are from 2 different continents and i’m waiting for my Visa to be able to go back there to be with her. She came here to visit for a few weeks and it was really nice but she went back home and it has now been 3 months since we saw eachother.
Ok, so now after explaining what has been happening in the past i will now talk about what is heavy on my chest right now.

I’m starting to see the old habbits coming back. This is really hard considering us being seperated by a massive ocean. One of our mutual friend called me everyday for about 2-3 weeks telling me to be careful because he had felt her being very sexually seductive towards him. I was praying everyday and i decided to not worry about that because she told me he was lying. (Sounds familiar?)
She never calls me, i’m always the one calling. Lately when i do call she says her voice hurts really bad and that she should not be talking too much, but then she goes out to shows and coming home 3am. Seems like a really bad excuse. Might be the truth but please…..i’m asking for 10-15 minutes. We basicly just say: HI, goodnight, love you! For weeks now.
I called her a week ago feeling really down. Without it not really being about her. Just life in general right now. I wanted to talk to my wife about how i felt but it turned into her lecture me about how ‘her friends that have lasted is the once that does not give them guilttrips if they’re not hanging out’ ??? I was really confused. I had just told her that i missed her and that i’ve had a couple days where i felt little down and that i wanted to talk more.
After that phonecall she has been acting really weird. Saying that she only have 1 hour off from work this whole week. Then still she has been going to a show everyday. Except for last light, (yes she did not call the only night she had off).
Starting to post tons of photos again, liking photos posted by guys she slept with during our seperation.. Yes i know.. This is not a big problem but it is like i’m re-living the moment when she left me 2 years ago.
All i want is for my wife to ask herself an honest question…if she’s capable of loving. I know this might sound harsh but i mean it. I know that i’m in no way have the medical education to give her a diagnosis but when i came across this website it felt like a knife penetrated my heart. Things like: ‘They are so focused on themselves, self-absorbed and self-interested, that they cannot really “see” their partner as a separate person.’
Even the explanation of how it affects me: feeling lonely, feeling like her accessory and that i’m out if i fail to fill her needs.
This post got EXTREMLY looong but i want to round this off by saying, that i truly love her and that i want to make things work. With God nothing is impossible. Yea, sure i might be slight codependant but i could go to another forum right now to post just as long post about how she’s also the most beautiful, talented, smart woman i’ve ever met. I love her dearly and a post this long just with pro’s could be done aswell.

Thank you for reading!!!!
/Matthew

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Selene
April 5, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Yes, with God nothing’s impossible.

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Tris
April 6, 2014 at 1:20 am
maybe research Borderline Personality Disorder. I think after everything you’ve been through it may be good to look at this from a mental illness perspective and from the angle of protecting and healing yourself. I think you will be ineffective in the world unless you look after and love yourself first. This may be beyond your ability to resolve and it is largely her responsibility to initiate and follow through with the healing process, if she chooses to. Unfortunately you will never get anywhere unless she genuinely wants to get better and sadly she may not be ready yet. I think be compassionate, but look after yourself. You could have a read of this book: Stop Walking on Eggshells by Paul Mason. Good luck.

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Rizwan Rauf
April 7, 2014 at 2:59 am
Dear Matthew your wife is a perfect a case of NPD / BPD , these people are not capable of loving and they never care for feelings of others if you wanna make her come after you show strength the more you become kind or loving towards her the more she will take advantage of you and its better for you to come out of this marriage slowly because in the end you will suffer more heavily .

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partner of a sex addict
April 14, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Matthew, Your wife’s sexual behavior might be due to an addiction to sex. As a partner of a sex addict myself, I recommend you read the book “Out of the Shadows” by Patrick Cranes or “Breaking the Cycle” by George Collins (both available on Amazon). These books can help the partner of someone who is acting out sexually to heal. It sounds to me like she has caused you so much damage that unless she is willing to join you in couples therapy…. you need to leave her. You deserve better than this. Understand you cannot change her – if she seeks therapy she might be able to change with your help, but don’t put yourself in emotional or physical (std’s) danger by staying in the relationship.

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BenMac
March 24, 2014 at 8:06 am
Kate jean attention seeking lolol

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Tralesa
March 25, 2014 at 2:54 pm
I have a little boy that loves his narcissistic dad all the stories that I read is what I go through too I want to leave but what about my son ?

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Forumite
April 20, 2014 at 7:32 am
Not good for your son to grow up around that. He will think that that is normal behavior.

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Forumite
April 20, 2014 at 7:34 am
Not good for your son to grow up around that kind of behavior. He will think that is how men are supposed to act.

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Ela
March 29, 2014 at 11:45 am
I am a recovered narcissistic, 39 year old daughter of a narc dad. The relationship dynamics that prevailed between my mom and my dad reflected directly on the relationship between my little sister and I. She is the pure and spontaneous light of unconditional love that my mother is, and I was the selfish and fearful narcissistic, unfulfilled, incomplete person who was incapable to respect little sister’s sovereign personality. After 30 years of marriage, my mom had the courage to leave my dad with both her daughters’ blessings. He then entered a long period of self destructive drinking and personal chaos. I could barely stand his presence as he was angry at everybody for all these years. After 12 years, he is now finally becoming a 70 year old, happy, fulfilled person, the one he could NEVER have become had my mother not left him. As to my own enlightenment, my sister was a mirror to my real obnoxious persona, and I had some breakthroughs which I can only describe as mystical. I am now in a new way of being and relating to myself and others. At the moment I am also trying to resolve a complicated non-relationship with a narcissistic man whom I love and can “read” fully. I know that I have no other choice but to let go, for the sake of my peace of mind and his self discovery. Narcissists can only grow when they lose everything they have, and not before. So much love to everyone.

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Stephanie
April 1, 2014 at 7:27 pm
My father was/is a Narcissist. And my husband is too. We’ve been married for almost 7 years and we have two young daughters, 2 and 4. We went into therapy a few months ago to help us resolve certain issues, and therapy helped those specific issues. But the darkness of the relationship got to be too much. After a couple of years knowing my daughters were watching me being treated in the ways he was (typical stuff), I decided I had to change. I fought the control and belittling and manipulation. I found my voice and created boundaries. But it was only after recently reading an article about Narcissists that I realized what the root of all our problems are.

He has begun to change, because he has to. I won’t engage anymore. He’s trying to be a good husband. He wants me to be happy and for our marriage to be a good one. He had just started seeing his own psychologist (1 session). But the road ahead is long for him to begin to connect to his feelings, let alone his childhood memories. He has suppressed EVERYTHING.

What am I supposed to do now???

There has been so much damage. I have changed. There is a lot of good in him. He no longer uses those detrimental tactics. He is trying to connect. Trying to be physically affectionate. Trying to be a couple. I just can’t seem to. There is a void. A chasm between us. I don’t hate him but I’m not in love with him anymore.

Help!!!!

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Laura
April 2, 2014 at 5:41 am
Wow….4/14 will be married 24 years with 2 beautiful kids After years of feeling something just wasn’t right I went for therapy. My husband was a victim who became worst a victimizer. There is no end in site to his lies, deceit & betrayal. It has been exhausting to say the least. Knowing what I have learned about this insidious emotional abuse I have set definite boundaries. I am quietly getting my life together, taking care of me, block him out & will be on the road to a new life. He made the mistake of confusing my love & kindness for weakness. I was blind but now I see clearly. Trust me there is no end to this except to say goodbye & never look back! God bless you all. Stay in faith and find your strength!!

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sp
April 2, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Hi Stepahnie,

It must sooo hard on you….and its so absurd to trust Narcissists. While we keep wondering if they are being true this one time – there is no way to tell. They are so intelligent and manipulative that they can fake it all. Somehow all their instincts work to their advantage and they Simply KNOW how to reach out and win you over. Your man seems to be making a real effort but how do you know if this is not just a coverup to keep in the relationship and finally control you.
My advice is keep its simple 50:50 …be as normal as possible – demanding equality and fairness – and keep expecting your fears to come true . That way you will stay on guard…but will also be giving him a chance of a lifetime! All the best…. you can check youtube Sam Vaknin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaVn5IPlUvo he is a Pyschiatrist who has worked extensively on Narcissists and you may find some answers…

goodluck!

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Cate
April 19, 2014 at 3:10 am
Just a note about Sam Vaknin, he’s worth checking out for information, but it’s not because he’s a doctor,(he’s not really) he’s a psychopath himself. He calls himself a narcissist, but on a documentary I, Psychopath, I believe, he tested as a psychopath. He has a forum that I found very helpful, but just keep in mind what he is. He’s extremely intelligent and what he says will be helpful to anyone in a relationship with a narcissist or psychopath (as they can be intertwined). He’s smart enough to have found a way to fulfill his need for admiration while helping others-even if that may not be his primary aim.

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kathy
April 7, 2014 at 4:44 pm
despertely need some help here i dont know what to do yesterday i said one thing wrong an he hasnt talked to me since im always aching inside i just dont know what to do or how to get over this i need help desperatly im such a damaged lost soul, he has me locked out of bdrm as well

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Jennifer
April 11, 2014 at 4:22 am
Kathy,

I finally gave my NPD husband the boot after 23 years together of confounding punishments that never made any sense. All this business about if you just show compassion, you may turn your NPD person around is really statistically unlikely. This guy got way too much of that from me-and returned it with disrespect, cruelty, scapegoating and all manner of mean and rude behavior. I too was stonewalled, ignored and made to feel like damaged goods which is really all the last thing I am and never thought of myself that way before I was involved with him. I don’t know how far you will let him go before you can’t take it anymore, but once he started doing it to my oldest son, and more to me in front of all the kids, I had enough. And he would always blame me! These people will do almost anything to get a fix-that is they steal your life essence in a futile attempt to prop up their soul-less selves. It’s never enough.

When your abuser is away, over time, try to figure your way out-who you can go to, where you keep your money, how to bring along your kids etc in secret. Have an action plan. He may be nice for awhile and then become intolerable-so decide what your limit of abuse is. But-it will be progressively worse as time goes by. If he finds out, he will outwit you-these guys are masters of deception and want to win at any cost-and try his best to crush you. You will find yourself again-just keep imagining a life with no put downs, no punishable subservience, no neglect, no blame, etc. If the house is in your name, you need to get him out of there-change the locks and alert the authorities while he’s out. Even if you live on your own with only a pet, it’s better than with someone who makes you feel like killing yourself or living with your stomach knotted in fear as to what’s going to happen next, wasting all your time on needless, painful drama. It’s not your fault and you do not need this guy-abusive guys do not change-well actually they do-usually they get meaner. Get out, spoil yourself in little ways, and open your heart to other friends in the community, at work or in your family and I am sure they will help you heal. Trust that they have been worried about you and want you to get better. Take responsibility for your own self. Tell yourself that his problems don’t need to be yours anymore and keep yourself busy shaping your new life in your new environment and do not talk to him again unless absolutely necessary!

Feel better-try not to listen to him in the meantime-think of it as pathetic bc that’s what bullying is.

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kathy
April 14, 2014 at 4:04 pm
OMg thank you for you answering me so it has gotten so much we were going through reallu tumultous crap for the last 8 months with many break ups in there he was with a girl so this weekend i discvoered his fb password and they are messaging each other daily it crazy she know i liove there wiht him she doesnt care shes a single mom with two kids who seemingly has her crap together i dont understand and hes telling her he lvoes her everyday i am in shock and cant tell him i looked as its a big hting for him to have that privacy they dont seem to be panning in meeting anymroe so why carry on im dont know what to do i really really need some help

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Leigh S.
April 18, 2014 at 11:49 pm
I agree with Jennifer. My parents were nice. I had a normal childhood. I never knew about personality disorders. I was very young, naive and trusting. I am by no means weak minded or insecure. I was just ignorant. I never knew what an NPD/BPD was until I married one. Mr. Personality’s true colors didn’t show until after we were married. Ten years after our divorce he is still trying to control manipulate scapegoat and blame me (through the kids) for all his problems.

I am only replying to say there is no pacifying a narc. There is only one thing you can do, just cut them out of your life forever and go no-contact with them.

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Yetty
April 10, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I met a guy online,the first day I went to his house we had sex and I also cooked for him. He is someone that doesn’t call which I know of and he sometimes told me he doesn’t do what girls expect guys to do for them. From my opinion I think he is a narcissist. I’m willing to help him out even if he doesn’t want to date me. Pls how can this be achieved,help me out. What can I do? I care

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Chris
April 14, 2014 at 4:45 am
Oh Yetty, Steer clear from such a person. You will be used and discarded when you are at your weakest. When you give to a taker they see it as a sign of weakness and treat you with an ever increasing load of disrespect. There is a great likelihood that you might suffer a heavy blow to your psyche and impair your growth and development to live up to your potential as a person by mingling with the distorted.

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Ayvah
April 14, 2014 at 7:10 am
Advice please . I am in a ongoing 11 yr online relationship with a man who feels the need to lie , and cheat . I have forgiven him and don’t bring up the past unless provoked . Over the course of 11 yrs I had 3 men who I dated , when this man I have been seeing pissed me off , blew me off and ignored me . I never kept it a secret from him , nor why I did it . He can do as he pleases with women online , accept cyber gifts , chat privately , be flirted with . He is the life of the party in any chatroom we go to . He always has been . When I call him out on any lie , or issue , he strikes back at me and has now began to threaten to leave me and never speak to me again . Tonight in a discussion about why I feel the way I do about his lies to me , he strikes out saying he has neglected his son ( who btw is 25 and lives at home coz he cannot keep a job , just like his father can’t keep a job , they both have apparently volatile personalities ) to sit and be with me . From all that I have read he seems to be able to wear the title narcissistic very well … I know he has adult ADHD just from dealing with him over the years , I suspect he may be bi-polar as well , and I know he is a depressed person and speaks of suicide when we fight . He tries to make me believe I am driving him over the edge to kill himself , or to at the very least disappear . He is insanely jealous , I cannot have repairmen in my home , I have to hide the fact people even speak to me at times , if I am speaking to a male in a chatroom we are in and he see’s it … he prompts me that he is not dealing with that and I have sat quietly for as much as 3 hours till he decides we can speak alone in private . His mind changes like that of the wind . One day I can tell the world I love him the next day I have to be quiet , or its a fight . When I try and get him to understand that all this terribly upsets me , he just says … I can do nothing right , I’m a loser , I will leave you if you don’t get off my back … or he will tell me I am losing my mind and need to behave . ( His words are tho , I need to pull my head out of a** ) . He asked me tonight what do I expect out of him and I said … honesty … because our biggest problem is I call what he does a lie … he says we will have a nice dinner and private chat all weekend , then finds something else to do that causes us drama , serious drama , drama that you cannot recover from , and then he disappears for days . He begins fighting those demons and ignores me the entire weekend , knowing we may not have another weekend for months we can spend alone . ( his grown son lives at home and is always right there with him at the pc ) He enables his son to be lazy , he has taken time away from me when we were in PM to fix him food , bring him drinks , turn the AC on , change the TV channel etc etc … Anyways , any time I try and show him how hurtful he is to us , he throws it back on me … I’m not a Saint , but I damn sure try and keep him happy , when he allows it … he says I have a small mind , he has cussed me beyond anything anyone has done , I forgive him … but its getting old now and I know that I should have left years ago and just pulled one of his stunts and not come back for months but there is some kind of hold he has on my heart and soul … thats unexplainable .

Any words of wisdom other than that I should delete him from my life ?

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Serena
April 14, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Wow so I’m a narcissist I thought I was just conceded and love sort of makes me sick being inlove. I love all general people ugh I don’t know.

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Niki
April 24, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Serena, I know what you’re talking about. I’m a giver – it’s my love language. But, I can go for days – weeks – months, without any human interaction. Just me and work and my research, and be completely content. And I need the person I’m with to be able to talk to me about my research, but not put it down. You become an obstacle, you’re gone. No detractions. The goal is the goal.

But, according to this article, I’m a narcissist.

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kathy
April 17, 2014 at 7:05 pm
I am abou tot get dumped in like 3 hours form now
im freaking out im panicking
hes been having an online affir
hes just hating me righ tnow ive been dealing with crap for like 3 yrs im scared ot be alone

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Mary
April 22, 2014 at 7:27 pm
Hi everyone,

I have been with a narcissist for the past 20 years. We dated for 8 and have been married for 12. I started learning about narcissism a few years ago but wasn’t sure that he was. Now I am completely positive that he is a narcissist and an alcoholic. Everything is always about him and he is psychologically, emotionally, and verbally abusive. Also, some of his family members are the same way and make our lives more difficult. It is very difficult to deal with people like this, they are never happy or satisfied with anything. They are very manipulative and controlling and will do whatever it takes to get their way. I have been on medication for 3 years because for depression and anxiety but, now realize that I will never get better with someone who brings me down and makes me feel lonely. I do have my own issues but, I am not a mean person like he can be. When I threaten to leave him he changes for a couple of weeks and then we are back to the same. We have separated in the past but, I went back to him thinking that we could fix our problems. Now I am debating if a divorce would be the best decision since we have 2 beautiful girls and they love their daddy. I have 2 older kids and it has affected them that I didn’t stay with their dad, so I worry about the 2 younger ones going through the same thing.

Our families are Latino Catholics and have a belief that marriage is forever and you work out your problems no matter what.

Any advice?

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Brandon
April 23, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Hello, I am currently in a relationship that I feel has fallen apart completely. Based on the description, the Love of my Life seems to be a Narcissist. I have never loved somebody soo much, but I also have never felt soo alone and shitty about myself. We seem to have a fight everyday- the majority of the time we fight over the stupidest little things, such as a misconception of tone(mostly). After every fight it somehow gets turned around into me being an asshole and the cause of our chivalry. Like this morning. I was asked how I slept, to which I responded “Shitty.hahaha I was a Great Danes bed.lol” for some reason, that set my girlfriend off. “I didnt feel him move at all!” She responded.”What do you want me to do about it!?” Then it turned into “I have no clue why you are always in a bad mood or starting fights. You can just go home and stay home if you want to act like that.” I wont lie. I got very pissed off when she blew up. But I do what I always do to refrain from saying hurtful things- which was bite my tongue.
She is not the same girl I fell in love with 9 months ago. I ask her constantly what I do wrong, why I dont make her happy, what can Ibdobdifferently to stop the bullshit fighting, and always get “You do nothing” wrong in response. Im not afraid to be alone. Im afraid to be without her. And I just dont know what to do. I cry more now than I ever have in my life- including watching the closest person to me literally die infront of my eyes while holding my hand. I feel soo miserable and broken. I constantly have dreams of infideloties on her part- mostly the dreams consist of me findingbher and another man. I dont feel I can trust her anymore. She acts distant and very tolerant of me- as opposed to acting soo hoplessely inlove with me. She seems to have more care for her dogs and others than she does me. I treat her like a Dutchess. And I get treated like a theiving peasant. I just need guidance. Is my relationship fixable? Can I ever get back the girl I fell inlove with? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

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Brandon
April 23, 2014 at 1:51 pm
She also brings her Ex up constantly. Whether it is a story of what they did or what fun they had or how I “act like him”, he is always brought up. What does this mean? Does she still want him? Am I not good enough? I give her everything she ever wants or asks for. I do everything to keep her beautiful smile showing, and I get a fight for it. Every time.

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Niki
April 24, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Okay, Brandon, that’s not right. If the person can’t at least put you on their list to care about when you are trying so hard, you’re being treated unfairly. It’s not that Narcissists can’t or don’t care about others than themselves, but that they put themselves (their needs, goals, etc) first. If they can’t even care about the people who care about them… that’s a totally new level that I dare not go to. Spoken by a narcissist.

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Priya
April 25, 2014 at 3:18 pm
Hi,
im not sure whether my partner is Narc, however some of the things hes been doings is making me suggest maybe he might be.
Hes always striving for some sort of attention, never happy with my responses, he wants me to fully explain to him what I think of him instead of stating points. if we had an argument or so and I was in the wrong, he would go on about it for hours on end complaining how everyone has done a similar sort of thing to him, for example not calling him or texting him for a whole evening. Naturally hes quite blunt, therefore he just states my mistakes and is always on the other end of the pole really. I don’t know anyone have any suggestions?

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lisa
April 24, 2014 at 6:01 am
I have a friend that always loved his home town and the people in it he would say those words often. A while back he moved away from his mothers because she married, I think. his mother sooned divorced. But my friend moved away from his home town tood a new job and married a girl and took he religion when he had always been dedicated to another. He is working ot and driving a 3 hours daily. On his day off instead of getting out with his friends doing his sport stuff he loves he is cleaning house. He participates with her family but she doesnt his and she seems lazy she has a job and now pregnant but she didnt help around the house before the pregnancy. He always tells how things are but then if you offer advice he takes up for her too. whats going on here?

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Niki
April 24, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Interesting… over the years I’ve become a narcissist. And it’s not because I don’t love myself, but because I finally do. And if people can’t handle that, I don’t need them in my life. Honestly, though – I find those people in my life to be a distraction. It detracts from the time that I put into the things and people I *do* care about. So, if I wind up single / divorced in life. That’s their issue. I don’t need them anyway.

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Infant Narcissist
April 27, 2014 at 9:12 am
Okay, So I am Possibly a Narcissist (Male). I have somethings to say…..

I am extremely self-confident sometimes borderline arrogant and yeah I like to think I have to be the best at what I do but I don’t get why this kind of self view has to be completely a bad thing ?

I have been always at the top of my class, got into one of the best schools, I am way ahead career wise (compared to my peers n friends of my age), I am becoming an accomplished musician among other things. But I doubt if I didn’t have (somewhat) narcissistic view of my-self from a young age, I would have achieved what I have so far in my life.

Am I Selfish ? Answer is YES I am. But I ask you WHO Isn’t ?

I would also like to point out that we as human beings we are Not Perfect and labeling us with terms like Narcissist may not the solution to the problem (if any).

It’s easy to criticize/judge others and call them Narcissists and blame every short coming and downfall in a relationship on the other person (which is something a lot of people in this forum are doing) but in reality it takes “two to tango” as the saying goes.

Cheers.

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LOU
May 1, 2014 at 3:53 am
To “Infant”…..
I don’t think there is anything wrong with narcissistic traits as such, and they are useful towards becoming a success in the world. It’s when the traits overtake the person, and they become callous and uncaring towards OTHERS….that’s when the problems begin.
You say you think you are a narcissist, the most important thing you need to remember is that everything is not “all about you!” That you may be hurting others with your actions…or your inactions! If you can work on recognizing that this is something you may be doing and take action to prevent this sort of thing, you can hold the “narcissistic beast” at bay, and revel in your successes and the praise of others, in a good way.  :)

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jay
April 30, 2014 at 11:10 pm
There is not one standard test that proves that this is accurate. If you are aware where psychology test came from then you are aware of how Dr’s are taught to diagnose people. if i farted and you read book that says if you fart and you were taught to follow protocol then like a whole ass not an asshole you are to gullible to follow your own instincts to be aware that someone is not crazy and you are just following information that is not accurate and you are just giving subjects toxic drugs because you were told to. scientists look outside of what they are told and figure things out dicktors have no clue an are in the wrong business.

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jay
April 30, 2014 at 11:11 pm
apologize for the typos.. but I am sure many will be aware of what I am saying

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LOU
May 1, 2014 at 3:28 am
It seems like I may have totally dodged a bullet. I recently took up a short-term online relationship with someone I had dated back when I was a teenager. I had really begun to care deeply for him BUT…
1. He is separated from his wife and has been for years. No divorce in sight. Lives only a minute away from the old family home, and is always reveling and bragging of tales about his awesome “parenting” and how well he “parents” with his ex. The youngest is 17, the oldest is 22…..
2. We began an online relationship, but he never wanted to meet up in person. We aren’t THAT far away. He would brag a lot about his job and his life and himself….I would admire him and respect him, and I really did mean it. I guess I was just feeding his ego, though. I also noticed toward the end that he was mentioning that he was drinking more and more while we chatted.
3. He treated me very well until holidays came up, then he would have never a second to speak to me, too busy “parenting” these almost grown children with his ex. It would make me really depressed that he wouldn’t even bother to make a moment for me, and I resolved to give up on him.
4. He contacted me again and I gave him one more try. All went well for just about a month, when he dropped the bombshell on me out of the blue that he was attending a concert with his ex and that his kids bought the tickets for them. I was like….”don’t you think that’s a little much?” and he exploded. Told me if I didn’t like it, I’d just have to get used to it. I have never spoken to him again. He posted later on Facebook how much fun he had at the concert and that his children also attended! I was so baffled, I would have never challenged him about it if I had known it was going to be a “family” outing with the children. I think he did this to be rid of me, because he has…..
5. Immediately moved on to a “young mother” he plays online Scrabble with. Lots of Facebook posts, etc. I have since blocked all that.

I just have so many questions though…..

a. Was this person a narcissist? He was definitely pretty high on himself, his accomplishments, his kids. I’m not sure if I was dealing with a narcissist or maybe just a guy emotionally cheating on someone he’s calling his “ex-wife”…..
b. Why was he still so super-involved in his ex’s life? I’m pretty sure he is separated for real, but does he just not want to give up the power he has over his ex and kids? He kept saying that he and his wife split up because she wouldn’t have sex with him anymore….it seemed like to him a marriage is over when there is no sex, but all the other normal day-to-day issues of marriage were still very much in the picture. To me, that’s……kind of still being married!
c. Why didn’t he want to meet up in real life? What was he hiding? It’s not like he was a complete stranger…I knew him previously! We have friends in common!
d. Was I really just nothing more than someone for a narcissist to feed on? Someone to pass the time in the evenings after work because his family seems to have exiled him to live separately from them?
e. Why do I even feel sad about this? I really did care for the nice guy friend part of him, but I had all the red flags in front of me (waving all over the place!) and even though I struggled with it, I threw him over the moment I felt beyond disrespected. I had so many other things in common with him though….it just hurts because I felt like I’d found someone I could relate to, and doubting I can find that again.
f. I’ve read all the other posts and I feel for those of you that have invested years in narcissists….I have learned a lot today. Sending all of you love and strength to carry on….
g. Does anyone feel like soothing my emotions a little and explaining to me what you think? He made me feel like a nobody several times and it has kind of messed with my head. I realize my situation is NOTHING compared to others here, yet I’ve had a hard time consoling myself. I keep thinking if only I’d only been a better friend…..shaking my head. Feeling sort of stupid.

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Laura
May 1, 2014 at 6:00 am
I was married for 17 years to a Narc. He made me feel like I was Crazy :( we had 3 kids together….I had left soooo many times & he always seemed to talk me into coming back. I finally left.. Hired an attorney, got restrainting orders & had my family as SUPPORT ! You can’t move forward without support & you have to be Honest with yourself & family. Spent 7 years in divorce court ….. He convinced our children to live with him & they did , he stopped working, lost our home, insurance, & stalking me :( he tried so hard to destroy me… I had to cut him off completely .. No phone calls & no communication. He manipulated our children to hate me. I was losing my children to him. It was the hardest fight I had EVER had! Sadly he died in a motorcycle accident…. Yes , I was sadden by his death, but got to rebuild my relationship with my children. They now know the truth about him being a Narc & how he destroyed our family with his behavior . I did go get therapy for a few months to help me understand….it’s a lonely world your in. I am finally rebuilding my life slowly…..yes ..my walls are up. After this type of relationship I’m very guarded .

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Help Needed
May 3, 2014 at 2:31 pm
I am a narcissist. I have come to this realisation after nearly destroying the woman who loved me so purely for 20 years and poisoning my daughter against her. She has left me previously and I wooed her back with my narcissistic mask. I came to the realisation that I was living a lie, and at that point thought I was a compulsive liar. I admitted this to my wife and came clean with my deceit and HONESTLY (I know you will find that word hard to believe coming from the likes of me) examined my life and my need for self affirmation from others. I am trying to turn my life around. I take responsibility for my actions and the damage I have caused. I am truly humbled and am changing my ways; I despise the person I have been. I tried to explain this to my wife and help her heal but she could not understand until I discovered about narcissism after googling “how do you deal with someone who has lied to you for 20 years”. Is there hope for me? Is there hope for her with me? Everyone says a narcissist cannot change. I would rather die than not change. PLEASE, I do not want to give false hope to anyone who loves a narcissist, but I am attempting to turn my life around, not just for my wife and daughter, but for the good of HUMANITY. People at work have noticed a change in me, which encourages me greatly. I have told them I am going through a “midlife crisis” and critically examining myself and purging impure aspects of my personality. Or am I fooling myself? is this just an attempt for me to create another, more deceptive narcissistic mask?

My sincere apologies to all victims of narcissism, I welcome any response.

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flora
May 4, 2014 at 1:34 am
i have recently broke up my 2 years relationship only for this problem. my partner even dont know that he he is suffering.maybe he loves me lot but all the time he tried to show me that he is the best n right . he wants to come back again but the way he behaved me that’s really not describable.dont know what i have to do now . i love him lots n also tried more then 1 and half years to make him well.

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Lumzy
May 4, 2014 at 5:16 am
I am in a rather toxic relationship. I am in love with this girl. But she makes me feel inadequate. She always likes to go dutch no matter how much I protest. She recently complained she is not feeling how I am not looking for a better job. Says my current one is humiliating. We work at the same place!!! But she’s found a new job lately. Leaving for another town in the next 2weeks. The problem is she always entertains lunch with other guys. They buy her all the things I can’t… They take her to the cinemas anytime she has her day off. When I confront, she just says they are friends. She has never apologised, ever! Replies my “I love you” only when she sees my countenance. She cares sometimes tho. Buys me gifts and sorts smetimes. I just really love her. A guy brought cakes and stuffs for her in d office and she offered to share and I got angry. I yelled at her. I think I shouldn’t have. Mayb I’m a tiny bit of a narc too. I just want her all to myself. I really miss her. We haven’t spoken in days. What do I do?… By the way, I am looking for a better job. And there’s more twist to this story. She is my brother’s ex and I think he’s starting to suspect cos he’s been cold lately. And she was the one that did the wooing. She just came up to me and said she liked me. I am really crazy. I trust your judgements here. HELP!!!

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John
May 6, 2014 at 12:29 am
I believe the narcissism of are world stems from the like button, it forms a means of self validation that we all crave because we all want to be something or worth something. In believing we evole and develop through life, shows a younger generation to focus on this to obtain happiness or just some form of being.

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Help me!
May 6, 2014 at 12:50 am
I am currently and have been in a relationship with narcissistic person for 20 years I met him when I was 17 yrs of age I was in a relationship when I met the narc, the narc decided that he wanted to possess me (unbeknownst to me apparently it was love). The past two years people who care about me have been telling me about his behaviour, for an example he blames me for his problems but it came to a point where the people he was using for affirmations got to know me compelling them to let me know what he says. My family sees that he loves me but he so deeply insecure with himself that his default is a narc. He use to flirt, check out woman thinking they didn’t know, and that he himself thought he was not doing this or that the women he was doing this to did not know that he was perving at them (a case of if they don’t see me it didn’t happen, although all of us know that if someone admires you from afar or behind your back you know) he says he didn’t want to take things further it just made him feel good although the women he did this to thought no harm was done as they did not want a friendship with him anyway, passing ships and a little entertainment to make the day go by or even gave them affirmation that he couldn’t help it getting possessed by their beauty as he was clearly married. In the 20 years being married to such a person I have been anorexic twice, been a drunk/alcoholic for many months in a year and many other illness’s but always ended up looking after myself in the end so I did not die. I have worked in the health industry all my life, a case manager for the terminally ill, mentally ill, aged and youth. I have genuinely helped people in all stages of life, and I think this is part of MY illness being with a narc. He lied to be consistently and I believed him thinking people like this cannot exist I thought quiet simply ‘isn’t it enough that we are born and will die one day that life is hard enough to not appreciate life and respect differences in people and to not judge where they are coming from but to help in the moment to enjoy’ wow my simple way of thinking really stuffed me up. The past two years being aware that my “partner” is a narc I have stopped working I don’t go out or talk to anyone although my family that I previously cut off from my life are a part of my life when I allow it respecting my wishes. I spend my time arguing to a person that has fruitless arguments simply defending an ego that I cannot understand how anyone can think they are that important, it baffles me so much that anyone can be like this ever. My narc partner use to medicate himself on a daily basis for 25 years with marijuana. The past 2 months he has completely given up marijuana giving himself a chance to have a clear mind to be able to examine himself instead or reinforcing his ill ego and it has honestly helped, he sees his patterns, he has stopped his womanising, he has and is seeing that he was not a decent person for doing this to anyone around him let alone me, he genuinely wants help. The useless arguing has become less and more constructive conversations are taking place but to what price? My self-esteem has never died although in the past I felt inadequate, ugly, stupid, unappreciated beyond a joke taken as a fool, unlovable, disgusting. But I never trusted those feelings because they were not true. What now you may say? I agree I have no clue my inspiration has dwindled considerably I guess I’m waiting to decide to live again. Spill your thoughts to me I appreciate it :)

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Analyzing
May 6, 2014 at 2:49 pm
My best friend and study partner in school is married to a narcissist. Our friendship borders on a very thin line of whether or not it is appropriate since he is still married. However, I knew that he would have dropped out of school if I had left him to fight his home demons alone. My intention was and still is at this point to walk away from this friendship after we take our licensing exams later this month.

School for him was a dream…something he didn’t need but wanted. His mother had encouraged him but died a few years ago. His wife is not supportive at all and often sabotaged his efforts and complained about the time it required. She wanted him to get his old job back….the one that he was laid off from (major company reorganizing and downsizing) and personally misses very much. Anyway, you get what her personality is like.

My question is about him. If he decides to leave her, I might be willing to expand our friendship. (I will not suggest this to him though). My concerns are that he tends to see “drama” in me whenever I am a little bit emotional. “Drama” so does not define my actions…I am a quiet, keep my emotions to myself type of person. He has said harsh things to me that are highly out of proportion to the action. I almost ended our studying together over one however, when I confronted him, he was shocked and very apologetic. Anyway, what I am asking…could he have narcissist traits too?…or am I looking at signs of survival traits for being married to a narcissistic person for so many years (over 20). What I know about narcissists made me believe that there is no way two could build a relationship together. So my gut says that these are just habits and thought processes that he has developed to make sure he didn’t disappear in a very unhealthy relationship….his way of saying, I AM THE MAN. I exist and I am here too!

My question is to you…the survivor of a narcissistic relationship…what are the things that someone who would enter in a relationship with you (post-narcissist) needs to be extra patient about.

I am tore up inside about this friendship because I never would have allowed myself to become the emotional support for a married man in any normal situation. He has talked about leaving her but I don’t know if he will. (I try to avoid these conversations because I believe in marriage and hate to see them fail). I assume that he won’t because he hasn’t over all these years but kind of want to be ready mentally to know if I am willing if he does. Schools out…after the licensing exam is over, we have no valid reason to spend time together anymore. That alone might be my real answer….but occasionally he alludes to more.

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Analyzing
May 6, 2014 at 11:16 pm
It seems obvious to me that he is the narc. All you know of his wife is the picture he has given you. I myself being a survivor of a narcissistic relationship can say the traits to surviving such a thing are NOT (quote)” So my gut says that these are just habits and thought processes that he has developed to make sure he didn’t disappear in a very unhealthy relationship….his way of saying, I AM THE MAN. I exist and I am here too!” in fact the opposite if anything; you cannot defend yourself verbally, silenced by your life/relationship with a narc. This man is getting affirmation from you, please don’t feed it. You say you keep your emotions to your self an excellent candidate for the next victim. After your schooling has finished this ‘man’ will not contact you unless you contact him you have already fed his emotional needs and you have already emotionally invested in the relationship by thinking you might want to take things further. If you do end up contacting him he will use you to the best of his ability until you do not feed him anymore. Once again it seems obvious to me that he is the narcissist and will not leave his wife; it would be useless to him not have a story to tell to draw people like you in!

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Lou
May 8, 2014 at 6:09 am
You really don’t give enough information about him to make a call as to whether he is a narcissist. You say he is your best friend, but you are going to walk away as soon as your school is over? That’s not going to happen!

Just be careful. He’s a married man, and he’s made some thinly-veiled promises that he is going to leave his wife for you. That might not happen, and that is something that is going to hurt you very badly if he doesn’t follow through. I do think it is a very good thing that you have set a boundary of him leaving his wife before you will commit to any kind of physical relationship, stick with that!

I hope this guy proves to be upstanding, but you must prepare yourself for the possibility that he’s just another married guy spouting the usual lies about how awful his wife is, and that he is going to leave her. Guys like that are a dime a dozen, the ideal solution would be for you to break off from him and find someone that hasn’t made a “till death do we part” vow to someone else. But I can tell from your post that you are already much too emotionally invested in him and won’t leave him.

Let me know how things go, my dear….I am pulling for YOUR happiness, whatever happens!

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analyzing
May 10, 2014 at 5:14 am
Thank you. We just finished nursing school and just the nature of what we are studying, it gets really easy to become emotionally intimate with your classmates. However, I knew that the end would eventually get here. I am doing some mourning about losing someone who I literally studied elbow to elbow for easily 6 hours a day multiple days a week for almost a year. I also have mourned losing female friends as they dropped out of the program along the way..it is just more real now since we are done. I can and will walk away but thank you for your concern. This is not the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. I do hope he can either work it out with his wife or find the strength to leave if there is hope for joy anymore. But I shouldn’t be the support system anymore.

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Lou
June 8, 2014 at 2:40 am
So how are things going now? Were you able to make a complete break from him? Has he tried to contact you at all? What are your feelings about it all? And do you like a lot of questions? LOL

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Do I have the problem
May 6, 2014 at 10:21 pm
Hi, I love my boyfriend very much and stay at his house nearly every night. If I say i want to stay at my place just one night he turns around and dumps me. He’s only happy if im there 7 nights a week. What do you advise?

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Gus Cruz
May 7, 2014 at 4:02 pm
There are ways to mitigate this within a marriage. I’m a Licensed Therapist in Georgia and have a lot of experience in this area of function and dysfunction. The key is for both partners in the relationship to know the problem and work on it together before major rifts occur in the relationship.

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Lauren
May 7, 2014 at 11:34 pm
I have been in a relationship for years with a person I now truly believe is a narcissist. Recently we broke up again because he wants to be superficial, have only superficial relationships and be obsessed with making enough money to help millions of people, which he will sacrifice any relationship to do, his exact words. He says he wants me in his life only if we have light conversation that is only positive, he demands no negativity while he pursues a business venture that he is sure will make him a millionaire that will be able to save millions of people. While all this sounds good in theory, at least the helping people part, it concerns me that he demands superficiality and will sacrifice any relationship, be it me or his mother or sister etc….his words as well. When he said these things to me I was hurt but it sounded so weird, and as much as I tried to put things in a positive perspective on my end he claims I am too emotional and negative which he doesn’t want, though he also says he wants me in his life and wants to take care of me financially in the future. After putting in some of the things he does a lot (constantly talking about himself, controlling communication by ignoring me when he doesn’t like what I’m saying, threatening to break up with me for telling people “personal” information about him that threatens his image, blaming others for things he’s done, he says things are my fault, obsession with money and fame etc…)into google narcissist was the first thing to pop up. After reading the symptoms and descriptions I was in shock, because it all seemed so clear now. I am not mad at him and I do love him very much and I know he is a good person at heart, but I now know there is nothing I can do to change him, that in the end it is unhealthy for me and if I want to be happy the only thing I can do is not have him in my life as sad as it may be for me. I just pray that I can resist the temptation to go back, we have had good times and I felt like he was finally maturing and growing up before this recent bout hit like it always does. Is there any hope for a narcissist to change, cause it doesn’t seem like it…..I’m hopeful that I can at least move on and find happiness.

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analyzing
May 10, 2014 at 4:56 am
Thank you for your insight. However, he isn’t the narcissist…at best, maybe he has traits. I think he has survived so long in the relationship because he has been able to keep himself from disappearing and probably is emotionally the stronger member of the relationship…even if he is pretty beaten up. He actually is very good at silent caregiving…and avoids drawing attention to himself most of the time. We have just finished nursing school and I am pretty clear on what is and what isn’t narcissistic. At the beginning of the program, we have a family orientation day where the student organization tries to paint a realistic picture of how difficult this program is and how much the family will need to step up to help us survive. His wife walked up to the speaker after this big speech and asked “But who is going to take care of me?” He was mortified. I am stepping back from this friendship because he has some serious decisions to make. He has found a way to make it work for too many years to not do some deep soul seeking. Maybe things will be better now that he has more time to cater to her again.

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analyzing
May 13, 2014 at 11:39 pm
You have misinterpreted what I have posted but it’s understandable when you have not been in a narcissistic relationship for a long period of time. Please rethink why his wife said “who is going to look after me?” For some people who have survived a narcissistic relationship that is a survival trait. I agree wholeheartedly that silence does not mean weak it’s something that happens to a survivor, as some people in previous posts explained it can make you feel crazy or worthless that is why I do not agree with your quote for someone attempting to keep afloat in a unhealthy relationship “just habits and thought processes that he has developed to make sure he didn’t disappear in a very unhealthy relationship….his way of saying, I AM THE MAN. I exist and I am here too!” My apologies for any hurtful feelings you may have received from my opinion.

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analyzing
May 12, 2014 at 4:03 pm
I did not say he said these things to his wife or anyone else…but rather I believe some of his actions and things he has said to me are his mental ways of fight to keep from being buried in his wife’s “drama”. We just finished nursing school. This is not the field for a narcissist…especially a male nurse. We work hard for very little attention or acknowledgement and the men have to fight a little bit harder to make it through a nursing program. There are no brass bands or awards and almost everyone has a hard earned grade point of 3.9/4.0 or higher. (Mine is about 0.02 higher than his and he knows it).
I find it interesting that you are quick to make assumptions about the person who is married to a narcissist….making a lot of assumptions that just aren’t grounded. That said, we have talked and he is still invested having a go of it with her. I wish him the best and hope he figures out how to find some happiness. He has more time to give her the attention she craves now. Maybe it will.
I do believe he has some narcissistic traits (but all of us do) and wonder if that is who he is or if he really believes that people interact that way since that is his experience. He actually is usually a very humble quiet man. I know things about him that would give him reason to toot his own horn and yet, he seldom dose.
My basic question boiled down to how do you have a relationship with someone who is coming out a narcissistic one and what things to watch for? Your answer seems to be that a survivor will tend to find narcissists everywhere and the survivor might be a very hard person to establish a healthy relationship with. Good to know.
(And yes…I can now see that what we had is probably an emotional affair. But to be honest, I probably had a very similar attachment to a woman (and we are both straight sexually) whom left the program our first year. You can’t help but become attached to people you spend most of your waking hours with in an very stressful situation. In the matter of weeks, I probably knew several of my study partners almost as well as I knew my husband after 17 years of a good marriage (he died). )
I do have a caregiver’s heart and have to watch that I don’t get sucked into needy people’s drama…but after having to make the decision to disconnect life support from the love of my life, I promise, I am strong enough to walk away from anything. Quiet does not mean weak.

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Anita
May 13, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Reading all of these posts makes absolute sense that I’ve been in a Narc relationship for the last 5 years. Every time I do something he doesn’t like or against his thought process, he tells me he’s done with us and to leave. I’ve moved back and forth several times in the last 3 years because of him. We don’t have children together but I do have a son, and his disregard for my son’s feelings bothers me, but yet i keep going back, trying to make it work. I love him..and he says he loves me, but like all the other posts, once he gets what he wants, I’m useless to him until he needs something. I constantly walk on eggshells for fear that he will get mad and would rather avoid conflict. He too, thinks he needs constant attention from other women and feels the need to keep his exes in his life. He even calls himself “God” and laughs it off as a joke even though I know he’s not joking. I don’t know how to get away. How to cut ties and be done, every time I think I’m able to he draws me back in.

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lippy
May 19, 2014 at 6:00 am
oh wow you even use the terms i use about my marriage! “Hes done with my bulls**t”, and threatens to leave. I feel i am “walking on eggshells” to keep him happy. I seem to spend far too much mental energy trying to figure out what he is thinking. He pretends to love me but the pretense falls away when im on my period and no use for sex!

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vasudha
May 23, 2014 at 5:30 pm
OMG! the last 5 years of my life I have been living ignorance, because I dint even know my husband suffers from Narc-ism groups. he always seemed depressed for such a confident and larger than life person. I thought I was just going thru difficult phase in life because of arranged marriage and my husband hell bent bringing all his sisters, aunts problem home. He was constantly criticizing me. He even manipulated my parents to believe that I was the one causing all problem. Last one year I fought to gain my parents trust and make them see the real him. When me and mom fell ill on different occasions, it shocked my parents that he did not show slightest sympathy. I realized he was not available as soon as I was not feeling well for past 5 years. My husbands parents are primary cause as I tried to communicate and they responded in a manner justifying whatever their children do is correct.
His evil sister is part of my husbands feed and uses my husband thru and thru, because he is doing the same to me. I am afraid I will go mad if I stay with thus guy. I want divorce, but in here society pressure is causing me to rethink my decision over and over again. I have become unhealthy, financially dented and emotionally tired. I thought of ending my life but decided I was too strong and have a daughter with whom I want to start a life with.

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Lou
May 24, 2014 at 11:32 pm
I must reply to what you have written. Your husband does not sound like a good match for you. You need someone more thoughtful and empathetic. But whatever you do, you must NOT kill yourself. Your parents are still alive and I am hopeful they will help you to make a new life instead of suffering with this man that chooses not to cherish his wife. Please promise me you will find another way.

Sending you hope, love, and strength.

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lippy
May 19, 2014 at 5:58 am
OK so what do you guys think of this.. trying to make it factual as possible… last year my husb of 10 yrs told me he wanted a divorce, started seeing another woman and eventually left. we are legally separated. 3 weeks later he called me to say he’d made the biggest mistake of his life and wanted to see if we could consider reconciling. He cut off all contact with the woman, and set about dating me, telling me he loves me and generally changing a lot of the behaviours that were not great before the whole sorry affair started. For my part, as soon as i knew he was in the affair, i let rip. I thought he must be mentally ill, a narcissist, a sociopath, and told people what i thought! privately, never on facebook, but only in private messages.
We agreed we still loved each other enough to try and rebuild our marriage, so agreed to move in together again. After we made that decision though, he started questioning me about all the lies i had told people. He said he was happy to be judged for the affair but not to be labeled as a sociopath etc etc. He asked me to correct those “lies” – and i did. I emailed those friends and retracted those accusations. Of course those friends understood i said things in anger and with a lot of heartbreak.

It turns out he has had an investigator watching my emails and texts for over 3 months!

I was shocked and angry, but he said he was justified as he found out “the truth” about what i thought of him.
I felt like he was making ME feel bad for my response to HIS affair. (In therapy now unravelling all this!)

Now we are living together but there is no trust here whatsoever. i don’t trust that he is not still snooping on my chats and he does not trust that i am telling the truth about him.
But, we have a son together, we still have passion and fun together.
As i get stronger with my own boundaries and what i will accept from him, i want things to improve but have serious doubts.

Any experts out there with thoughts on this one??

PS i’m seeing a counsellor too, but keen to hear your thoughts!

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Sarah
May 22, 2014 at 7:05 pm
So I have been searching for the issues my fiance has. He does not seem to be socially centered or life of the party to really fit sociopathy or narcissism but the inability to take critisism and his reverse arguing, the harsh words and yelling in front of the children even when I note to him that they are right their, watching… those seem to stick out more. Let me explain something, I could also be seen as a narcissistic because I crave affirmation on a situation that has been directed to me, mostly because I am usually misunderstood. I often cant tell why someone would be mad at me and I point out things people do wrong. BUT I am constantly working on myself, to help me recognize my behaviors and when things are okay to say and when they are not. NOW, he on the other hand, never apologizes for anything, or he will over apologize (I feel to spit me) because I have talked so much on how he does awful things and never takes credit for how I feel about them. Let me give you an example:

This morning I smelled a pop-tart in the toaster and as I walked to get my crying daughter I saw him standing their enjoying a pop-tart.As I passed I thought to myself, that sounds like a good idea, I would like a pop-tart. So I change my daughter and walk out with her, put her down to play and walk over to get the pop-tarts. I see on the counter, two empty packages. I said, “did you eat all the pop-tarts? He said yeah, our son and I did. I said, two packages?” He said “yes, I had one and our son had one.” I said, “well I was really liking the idea of the pop-tart and I am sad now cause it smelled good. I wish you would have asked me if I would like some. (He will even make me things and eat them if I do not eat them fast enough or when he thinks they should have been eatin, drinks too) I told him it would have been nice for him to ask since their was 2 packages and 3 people who could eat (2 in each pack). He said “no, you should have told me you wanted one. How am I suppose to know you want one if you dont tell me? You should have been the one to say you wanted a pop-tart.” I said “I couldnt possibly have told him because I was in the room with our daughter when I thought of it. I just wish he would think of me and arguing over a pop-tart is pretty stupid.” To be honest I am just tired of always being last, not just me the kids too. When I try to show him he gets defensive. He yelled and kept saying “oh what do YOU know of social ediquette?(because of my autism) And Ill buy you some damn pop-tarts.” I told him “I do not want you to buy me pop-tarts, I just wanted to be included in your thought process, hmm 4 pop tarts, maybe I should ask sarah if she would like one.” He got dressed and stomped down the stairs and slammed the door. I assumed he was going to work. He ended up coming back in the house 15 minutes later and THREW a bag with pop-tarts in them and said “Here’s your pop-tarts, I hope you choke on them” I was not surprised by the behavior because he does this often ANY time he feels ATTACKED OR CRITISISED.(not just with food fyi) DUDE, THEY WERE POP-TARTS! I told him NOT to say things like that because our son was their, he said he did not care that he was their and mumbled more mean stuff. He then stomped down the stairs again and I told him he was being over dramatic for no reason and all I wanted from him was for him to acknowledge that he probably should have asked when eating the last of something. I said “Why are you acting like this?” and he said “Because I hate you and I hope you die”. Then slammed the door again, leaving for the day.

I KNOW I KNOW, pop-tarts? really? Not just to him, but to me too. I understand it was silly but if you can see how ridicoulous he gets over me mentioning something about his “behavior”, imagine him when he is WRONG. or when he forgot to do something, or if I dont want him to touch me due to some sensory issues (not all the time, i mostly love to be touched), or how about when I make a mistake when I talk or mix my words up and how he points out EVERY AUTISTIC flaw I have. I will ask him “Can you please remember to put your clothes in the washing machine? I have been doing really good with keeping up on laundry” and he will say” well you dont blah blah blah when I asked (which is COMPLETELY made up more then HALF the time but he TRULY believes it happens) He always turns things back on me and I point them out, and he gets more upset/angry. He cant handle being a “bad guy” Ill tell him he has been ignoring me lately and playing too much video games and he will say “well I tried to do something the other night but you pushed me away”… UMM again, he makes things up to make himself feel better. Or he says things like “I do it all the time” and I will say, “ok if you did it today or yesterday tell me when you did it?” and he can never give me an answer for anything. EVER. He is perfect in his head. He tells me often that girls hit on him while he delivers mail and good things are always said about him at work except when they are not. He always has to have the answers and has not problem pointing out when I dont do something. He does not fit the”I am beautiful” look of a narcisstic and he can occationally tell me I am sexy (when he wants something) but for the most part he plays his games and no one else matters, not even his kids. He lies. I have cought him. they are small and stupid, but lies none the less. He has occationally “tried” to be more for me and the kids but after 3 days or so he seems to get “burnt out” from all the extra “work” he has put into being with us that if I say or do anything he will FLIP. He blames much of the things on my meltdowns and tantrums but fails to see how he causes most of them. He can NEVER see what he has done. He has been able to admit that he has issues, but he will refuse to go and talk to anyone. His mom thinks its all my fault because of my meltdowns but fails to see how synical and cruel he can be over the most MINUTE THINGS. He will only go to a therapist if its to talk about MY problems. I really think in his mind he has none and everything he does is perfect and if its not, its because of someone else.

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micahl
May 24, 2014 at 10:28 pm
I was in a relationship like this 7 months ago for almost 2 years… this person was amazing, personality, culture, all of it. I guess I was drawn in by how dependent I could be.. I don’t know, when he finally noticed me I was in the clouds and I even started to believe that because I was with him it would automatically give me more value as a person. He was beyond my control, he never wanted to do anythign with me, but if I stopped giving the attention it would bite my ass. The thing is I only made things worse, I cheated on him with my best friend because I was so sick of our realtionship and of course a guilt trip was due, I dated my friend later thinking he was actually what I wanted and needed and he is a wonderful person (totally opposite from my ex) but I kept thinking of my ex a lot. After a while I also broke up with my friend because I realized how much I was still thinking about him and well, I couldn’t be in a relationship if I cared about 2 people right? Im worried because after a while, my ex has changed so much, he has noticed many bad things in his life and has tried to correct them, and I can only feel that if he’s getting better that’s the guy I wanted to be with.. of course everyone close to me/him keeps telling me that it won’t work, because of the way he treated me and because I cheated on him.. but we keep sending all this indirect messages.. and sometimes im like ‘to hell with what everybody has to say if we still feel things for each other and for so long we have to try!’ and some other im like ‘we have feelings, obviously but we Have to move on.. our love is broken and we have to grow apart’ … im gonna be sincere guys, I do want to try it again.. Im waiting for some time to pass to ask him because actual situation doesn’t help.. but I don’t want to give up.. :( how can someone have trouble in front of them/be trouble to someone else and still be not able to look away?

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JimA
June 1, 2014 at 5:45 pm
OMG!!! I can not believe that I found this article along with the postings!!! Before coming across this article, I thought I was going to go crazy dealing with my cold hearted wife. The article describes her to a tee!! I was floored when I read it. After dealing with her for over 20 years and hearing what a bad person I was, day after day and how wonderful she was day after day, I was loosiing my mind. Right now, I am beyond words as I finally figured out what is going on. Thank you so very much for posting this article!!! And folks, we have our hands full trying to figure out what to do next.

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Kate
June 3, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Hi all,

Try googling Narcissistic Victim Syndrome & also Stockholm Syndrome or Traumatic Bonding. There are some good (& not so good be careful!) online blogs & Facebook support groups (open and closed) for victims/survivors of Narcissists. And numerous good books. I’ve been very fortunate to find an excellent therapist who understands this sort of abuse (unfortunately many don’t) & to have found a wonderful closed online support group that was an absolute lifesaver especially early on after separation from narcissist after 15 years of marriage. We have a child so we have to keep contact (barf) but I’ve been learning as much about NPD as possible & how to best deal & interact with him as possible – phew! I have not heard of much success for narcissists to recover..for one thing they usually don’t see they have a problem let alone agree to therapy for it! Life is too short – get the hell out while you can, in any way you can. I was on verge of suicide (SO UNLIKE ME!!) …it’s NOT worth it!!! Xxx

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Lola
June 3, 2014 at 1:47 pm
I honestly have been googling what a narcissistic father and relationship looks like and unfortunately Im stuck in one. I truly love my boyfriend but I don’t think that he feels the same. I just had a baby about 4months ago and we don’t live together. He barely shows interest in me or my child when we’re not around him. He’ll probably call me once a day & the rest of the he does what he wants. He doesn’t go out of his way to make me happy. He doesn’t tell me that I’m different from others. He belittles my intelligence and it makes me feel like I have nothing to offer to him. He believes his smarter than me and I use to believe he felt that way because he was older. Also the biggest factor of all I’ve never seen him cry!

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lynn
June 6, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Dear struggling friends
I so feel in connected to the feelings and struggles you all experience. I have been married just 37 years and for a long time could not identify why I was not feeling happy. I have always been an optimist, loved working as a teacher and raising my two great (now adult) children. I do believe now, that I was just wanting to ignore the red flags that seem to be getting thicker and brighter. As I analyze my own behavior and researched for answers, I found that I seemed to fit into the co-dependent roll in this relationship by thinking I could make it better just by talking, complying, suggesting even trying to change who I was to make it better.etc etc. No matter how I expressed myself to that end, it often escalated into a major conflict. I tried so hard, maybe too hard and it drove him crazy. He was not interested in me, not concerned about my feelings or desire to connect .emotionally with him. As much as I relate to each and all cases above, it is Carol that I would love to connect with, as she has been married even longer than I and her case is sooo similar to mine, and yes, the loneliness and and lack of connection is devastating. Email me Carol is you like

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RL
June 8, 2014 at 11:53 am
I have been married for almost 4 years. About a month before I was married I found out my husband has been cheating on me with prostitutes. I married him because, I know it’s going to sound stupid but, I’ve never been married and I was in love with him and I decided to forgive him and he said he would do whatever it takes to earn my forgiveness and trust back. So we married and shortly there after we had our first therapy appointment. I should’ve left him right after that because our therapist gave him an assignment to read a book about how to earn trust and forgiveness after cheating when the therapist did not give me an assignment my husband got angry and said,
“what about her?” He was upset because I didn’t get an assignment so our therapist laid out all of the things that he was supposed to do and he promised to do every single one of them for as long as it took me to heal one of his first questions to me was what do you want me to be subservient and he answered I can’t do that. I’ve never been in an abusive relationship before not once have I allowed somebody to abuse me. I made it clear to myself that I would never allow anyone to abuse me because I was abused as a child in many ways I stood by that. If I found out somebody cheated on me which was only one that I found that out I left the person I think I stay with him because it was my first time being married and the wedding was one month away and anyway love him and I wanted to try it almost 4 years now and I feel like I’m doing everything wrong. He is always telling me it takes two in a relationship… you need to take responsibility for your side… you need to be accountable for this you need to be accountable for that…. but I keep asking myself what have I done wrong to him I have done nothing wrong to him nothing except stay with a man who has cheated on me and then continues to verbally and psychologically screw with my head telling me that I’m doing everything wrong that I am controlling him that I am stopping him from living his life and then he’ll apologize and say sorry and say he’s never had to deal with trying to help somebody heal after he cheated and then he’ll be demeaning and rude all over again calling me names getting angry that I found out that he cheated on me blaming me for everything that is going wrong in our relationship when I have done nothing but ask him to be patient and help me heal from the views that he continues to put out in this marriage I feel like I can’t do anything right he tells me that I’ve done a lot of bad things to him like spy on him but Our therapist said when someone finds out their spouse cheats the natural thing to do is spy on them. I feel bad that I have spied on him yes however I’ve never spied on anyone in my entire life except for this man because I don’t trust him and when I start to trust him he does something like take my name off our home without me knowing about it, signing my name legally to the documents so my name is not on our house or trying to contact or email my friends and my family to ask them if I have a mental problem, emailing my therapist and asking about my medication or asking if I’m schizophrenic. I never had to take medication before I married him now I have to take an antianxiety medication because I get the panic attacks. And when he becomes angry because I share how I feel carefully now because I don’t want to getting angry but then he still gets angry he cuts off ONLY my credit card so I have no access to any money. Because I have a disability I don’t work right now so I am completely financially dependent upon him this is also new to me because I have never been financially dependent on anybody ever in my life I’ve always taken care of myself and taking care of my family. I was in a car accident and I can hardly walk right now I’m not paralyzed but getting a job was difficult and he tells me I don’t need one yet he will cut me off financially and do all sorts of mean things when I need to share how I feel I can’t heal at all when he is constantly doing things to sabotage the healing process by telling me I need to be accountable for my side when my side is darling you cheated on me I need you to give me the time to heal and he never does. Furthermore he tells me I am lazy… When I have a disability that does not allow me to work for the time being I am in physical therapy so I can work soon. He tells me I am a terrible wife because I don’t cook for him but I don’t do that because I don’t feel like he deserves that he wants me to be accountable for spying on him and reading reviews that he wrote about the hookers that he screwed while we were one month away from our wedding. He’s never wrong not once is he ever wrong and if he does admit any wrong he always takes it back and says I only said that to shut you up. His excuse for behaving this way is he financially provides for us so he thought that I would just get over him cheating on me and that’s that he feels that I should deal with it because he pays for everything in the house. So coming up on the four year mark of our marriage he is now telling me he’s getting frustrated with our marriage that he feels I will never heal or get over things when the last thing on my mind right now is the cheating the first thing on my mind however is the way he treats me. I have filed for divorce twice I have abated both divorces for a six-month period we are currently in the second abatement. When he started canceling the credit cards and taking money out of our joint bank account and defriending me as his wife from Facebook I smartened up got a lawyer and I took the money out of the account before he could. So now all he can do is focus on the fact that I took the money a few times and not the fact that he took it about a dozen times before I even did it. I have begun to react to how he treats me so now all he focuses on is my reaction toward how he treats me and he tells me that I treat him like crap because I react to how he treats me and of course my reaction to his lack of compassion toward me sounds rude because I refuse to let him put me down anymore every time he tries to I stop him and I tell him this has nothing to do with what I was approaching you about I tell him to focus on the matter at hand every time I bring up how I feel he brings up the past and a lot of different things that he feels I am doing wrong he takes the focus off what I feel and focuses on what he thinks I should be doing. He treats me like a child if I leave the light on he will “say why don’t you turn the light off or stop leaving this is mess or don’t forget to turn the outside light off or don’t forget to feed the cats or don’t forget to pay the phone bill or don’t forget to do this don’t forget to do that you never do this you never do that I’m always doing everything I just need a break” . And all I tried to do was share how I felt and it led to all of that and it always does no matter what sometimes he can go a couple of months max without being a jerk but later on I find out he’s been emailing his lawyer and preparing for divorce so I feel like he putting on an act I don’t even know if he loves me I don’t know who he is anymore I don’t think I ever knew who he was because he wasn’t like this when I first met him and he wasn’t like this at all until the day I found out he cheated then he changed I don’t know what the heck is going on I’ve never been in a relationship like this before I don’t know what to do I’m not happy I want out but I have no financial resource and he knows that and he keeps it like that so I don’t leave that is my belief he knows I have no money he knows I’m unable to work presently therefore whenever we argue he cuts me off but he smartened up now because when we don’t argue he siphons money from our account and puts it somewhere else so it looks like we have no money in our account but he makes very good money so I know damn well that there is money. I don’t go out shopping like other wives in our financial status I don’t spend money frivolously I don’t go buy shoes or clothing nothing but he’s always buying stuff for himself that’s for sure but he tells me we have no money then how can he afford to buy stuff for himself. I’m not stupid but I feel stupid I’m not ignorant but I feel ignorant because I’m so damn confused I don’t know what it is that I have done to him to make him not not love me anymore even though he says he loves me I don’t believe it because any man who loves his wife will never call his wife a whore or tell his wife to go screw the neighbor!!!! I don’t deserve this and I know I don’t I have been through way too much in my life to deal with something like this and I’m frustrated because I have no way out right now maybe in a year I have a way out but what if when that year is up I’m already far gone psychologically what if he is already messed with my head too much that I can’t get out because I don’t know how to anymore I don’t know what to do I’m lost and I’m afraid and oh yes another thing I can’t say that he’s actually hit me physically but he does push me an I have fallen to the ground a few times that’s how hard he has showed me he’s also calls the police on me when I’ve gotten angry because he’s pushed me so far that I snap and I just can’t take it anymore so he calls the cops and tell them I need to be baker acted I mean what is going to happen is this even right can even do that I am just feel like I’m going crazy. I know what is what and I know I haven’t done anything wrong but he treats me like I have right now he’s out of town for one month because he has business so of course the only thing in my head is he’s probably cheating on me because what has he done to prove to me that he is not going to cheat on me he goes on Facebook and writes on my friends photograph hey you ladies look sexy and then searches for his ex-girlfriend when he’s out of town so of course the first thought in my head is he’s looking to cheat usually if he starts an argument with me his wife before he goes out of town that is the first sign and he’s going to cheat because he wants to justify his actions “well my wife and I got into a fight so I can cheat” …. Oh yes I must not forget another thing he leaves his iPad open on purpose and he signed in with a fake email the same email account that he used to Cheat on me with just so I would find it because he wanted to screw with my head and he blatantly admitted he wanted to screw with me and that’s why he left his iPod open to a fake email account.
When I first found out that he cheated on me for years ago I told him in a loving way because I thought he was naïve “those hookers care nothing for you all they wanted was your money and to use you so you would take them shopping or whatever it is that you did with them they don’t care for you they are using you bottom-line” do you know that he got mad at me for telling him that and he defended the hookers. I was beside myself when he did that…. I’m sorry about this long post I’m just confused like I said I have never been in a relationship like this before where I’m confused and when my husband and I first got married I had been in a traumatic situation where I had to put somebody in prison for the rest of their life it was pretty traumatizing my husband uses that against me if I talk to him and confided him about my sister and I if we get into a fight he uses that against me. And worst of all the abuse that I went through as a child he uses that against me and he tells me that I am mentally broken because of it when I went through about 15 years of therapy and I have forgiven the person who has hurt me it’s terrible that he uses that particular thing against me but no matter what I say when I want to confide in someone I cannot confide in him because everything I tell him he uses against me. I just stumbled upon this website because I couldn’t sleep last night because I am so confused I am so over it and I really just don’t know what to do I know I need to leave that part I know but I don’t have a job I don’t have a financial income and I haven’t been married long enough in the state that I live in to get alimony. So I sort of feel screwed either way I am damned if I leave him and I am damned if I don’t leave him. My friend, my best friend tells me oh just you know fake it until you know you can leave financially but I can’t fake a thing like love I don’t know how to pretend that everything is alright I can’t just sit there and put on a smile and say I’m okay when I am not I have to be able to get out how I feel if I am hurting. I simply cannot walk around and pretend that everything is fine my husband can on the other hand he can walk around like he’s done nothing wrong because he really does think he has done nothing wrong he tried to tell me that I told him he could cheat on me because when we first met I was going through something very difficult and I was not ready to be intimate with anybody and I decided to take it very slow with him in his mind that said she on the go ahead but I never once said that. I’m just blabbing on right now I thought I would reach out because nobody knows who I am here and I don’t want to tell my friends this stuff I can’t I wouldn’t even know where to begin to start telling anyone this even a therapist I wouldn’t even know where to start I have lost so much weight I look like I’m five years older than I am I can’t do this anymore and I don’t know what to do and at the same time I do know what to do but if I do what I need to do I will be on the streets I won’t have any money and that is where he has the upper hand and I think he actually enjoys that. Any kind of advice would be great I guess please don’t bash me I’m already going through enough if you don’t have anything nice to say or any good advice to give this please just don’t say anything I won’t be able to handle anything negative I know that I shouldn’t be in this relationship trust me I know that but without money people can’t live and I don’t know what to do because he taken everything from the bank account again he’s taken a credit card again and I’m here by myself with nothing nowhere to go and no one I can stay with because I have no family anymore I don’t have any friends in my area he plucked me out of my hometown and move me off into never never land where there is nobody around and I know not one soul i’m sure that was part of his big plan to so he could having to himself I’m not stupid I’m just feeling stupid. Again sorry for this long message I guess I just needed to get it out and by the way there is so much more is all of this here this isn’t even a half of it. I am never considered to be right I’m always wrong in his eyes but he’s always telling me that he’s never right even though he is always right obviously because he is never wrong he never admits he is wrong never not once he pretends everything is okay the next day after a huge fight acts like nothing is wrong and then on the very rare moments where he asks me what’s wrong and I tell him he gets angry all over again because he’ll go to bed after a fight and leave me feeling so hurt that I can’t sleep
I am made to feel that I have done everything wrong in this relationship when the only thing that went wrong was he cheated on me everything before the cheating, well, we were perfect, or so I thought , but the second I found out that he did something wrong he got angry and said he was mad that he got caught because that was something he wanted to take to his grave his reason for being mad at me is I caught him cheating that is the only reason oh yes and he gets angry that I’m not working even though he tells me when we’re not fighting that I don’t need to work because he makes enough money
anyways just I’m done I’m done talking now Am I in a narcissistic relationship or am I in a sociopathic relationship I don’t know which it is i’m sorry if I posted this twice but I don’t see where it posted thank you

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Dave
June 10, 2014 at 11:26 am
Wow! Never thought there were so many others caught up loving a narcissistic woman. Mine is a real charmer. She calls once a week to sweet talk me into giving her money for her motel room since she has no job and no other place to live and I feel sorry for her and help her. She says she is mine and I am hers and she loves me and is always true to me. Every time I’m with her there are people calling her and she won’t answer the phone and always claims it is one of her girlfriends and I’ve heard from others that she is seeing other men, but they are her girlfreinds boyfriends according to her. Not that any of that matters because when I’m with her I can only take it for a few hours. The sex is great! She is like being with a porn star in bed, but that’s the only thing she knows how to do. Never had a job in 39 years, smokes crack, drinks, and looks in the mirror for hours. Takes her 30 minutes or more just to get ready to walk out of the room to go to her car to get something. I really love her and wish so bad that I could get her to get some help for her substance abuse or to see a psychologist or counselor to point her in a direction. I know her parents well and she hasn’t talked to them in well over a year. This girl is driving me crazy with her insanity!!!!

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HPux11.i
June 12, 2014 at 8:49 pm
I dated a Narcissist for 3 years. The first 6 months were wonderful. Then she started asking me for money. And silly me, I was going to give it to her. Then it was the “You are so WORTHLESS phase” You are a loser. I treated her better than any woman I have ever been with. Did anything and everything for her. Never enough. I think she cheated on me several times….even with the Loan Officer to get her house out of the ex husband’s name. I would see lingere in her suitcase that she would never wear for me. And she would scream at me if I inquired where she was when I would call her just to tell her good morning. One day …. she told me that if I did not start respecting her schedule that the relationship was OVER. ha ha… I said … “hey we finally agree on something….” and I started packing MY suitcase to leave. She knew she fucked up. But I was comitted to getting out and I did. Finally about 6 months later I wrote her a very nice letter saying she would be missed etc…etc….and sent her back some of her stuff. And now my life is FUCKING WONDERFUL !!!!!! I met this new girl and we are going out and we get along and she is sweet and apprective…. and she has a much bigger rack and i love it !!!! If you are in a relationship with a Narcissistic Woman….grab your balls….squeeze hard and tell her to take a free screw to the moon and charge it to you… and get out. You’ll thank me !!

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kit
June 13, 2014 at 1:56 pm
I’ve been around narcissists and suppliers seems like all of my life. Raised with one, married one, dated one and worked with several. I’ve been reading a lot bout this disorder and see both myself and my experiences on every site I visit. Narcissists are hazardous material. The only safe dumping spot IS to have them feel you aren’t good supply for them. There is a certain look of pleasure they have when they discover your vulnerability. You can be Mother Teresa and they will nit pick you to the point of ruins. It works if YOU don’t know who YOU are. Your normal human response makes you want to do better, have compassion for their pain. But once you clearly see NOTHING pleases them, this is the time to evaluate what’s being perceived versus what the reality is. You KNOW it’s out of character for you to have done things you’re accused of. You see bills aren’t being paid or money is withdrawn that you didn’t take out. But it’s part of the dynamics of this personality to get you to submit to their world by second guessing yourself. You’re only needed to make them look and feel good. Look good in public and feel good in private. The SLIGHTEST perception of out doing them will result in a war dedicated to destroying your entire being. I’m no expert by any means but these articles and posts helped me to connect the peices. IT IS NOT YOU. IT IS THEM! Too much praise on your new look, car, home, pet or child and this will set them ablaze with envy. They may compliment you but they will turn to whomever is next to them and put on such a performance or tell such a story about you, THEY gain the support and you lose.if there is no other choice for you but to stay, you MUST subject yourself to degradation, humiliation, character assassination and accept it as their distorted view of reality, NOT AS WHO YOU ARE. Just as they put on the act of being above all others, you have to put on the act of appealing to their self esteem. Just remember they NEED youto be inferior to them because this is how they see to justify their sense of superiority. If you CHOOSE to stay, think LONG and HARD about your decision. Seek help and look for opportunities to get out. And when you can leave, RUN LIKE HELL!! Dont look back. Don’t answer calls. Dont yield to pleads of doing better to make it work, cries of love. These personalities are as unpredictable as wind patterns and are as devastating as biological warfare.

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kit - my experience
June 13, 2014 at 5:10 pm
My sibling, husband, co-workers and even a guy I dated later all have some traits I’ve read about. But I noticed a certain mindset between all of them. ITS ALL ABOUT THEM. Growing up, there was ALWAYS drama in the home. And one sibling in particular, in was ALWAYS involved. Let me state, I will do my best to not write a book about my experiences. But over the years, I witnessed abnormal behavior and manifestation in their narcissistic personsonality. They become fixated on one subject for years and even decades. Childish behavior- temper tantrums that may well have a breakdown of some sort. Paranoia or maybe just thinking EVERYBODY is watching them because they feel they are just that fascinating. Derogatory remarks. Histrionics which definitely enhanced the success of my and numerous others character assassination. The use of other people and or their situation for personal gain and a complete lack of personal responsibility. They have used sensitive information confided in them agsinst that very person if they feel threatened by less attention given to them. They have the ability to stare to form tears, make pleas of remorse to a unsuspecting person and the victim is vandalized for good. I have no contact with this sibling. . I don’t hate them but I know they’re not well, can’t be helped and will forever remain a snake in the grass. My husband tried gaslighting but didn’t work. He was the apple of most eyes but a control freak that believed in head games and back handed tactics. He’d accuse family and even his own kids of lying. Me? I never did shit but if it wsd praise worthy to outsiders, he took the credit. I wss the liability for his bad actions or judgemenment calls. PERIOD! I had no money although I worked because of his fiscal irresponsibility. He’d pay bills and blow the rest. I had no way or support to leave. We did separate but he pulled that stint knowing I had no money and no stable job. He’s gone for good but im paying for it to this day. The guy I dated wss kind of entertaining to me. He pursued me
relentlessly. All of these YOUNG women and he’s on me. He would later refer to them as headaches. But after a couple of months, we
exchanged numbers and he called. The first two talks went well, then the fussing about too much debt. Numerous calls daily about the same thing. I see where. I went wrong. But he didnt back off so I gave it a shot thinking he’d see it wouldn’t work. After a couple of months, I told him this didnt work. The outbursts because I called, numerous calls when I didn’t call or answer- like 15 calls in 20 minutes. Following me around at work, finding me because he watched me. Just WAY too overwhelming.over and over. So I decided to let him end it. But over time I would witness and be on the receiving end of outbursts, verbal lashings, silent treatments and avoidance. Fair exchange is not robbery. I gave what I got and in return, his hope for restocking his supply diminished after 6 years and I have not seen or heard from him since. Some coworkers were so obnoxious and inconsiderate, they made for a long, white noise filled, dramatic work day. Day after day. Tons os self praise with just as many insults to fellow coworkers. They set out to get new employees fired the first dsy they punched the clock. I can’t describe that amount of aggravation that filled every work day. And just how bizarre and atrocious their behavior is. But I saw just what narcissistic supply is. Stuff the ego and you MIGHT have a peaceful part of the day. So these are my experiences in brief. Narcissism is in various degrees but the ones I mentioned were detrimental.

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kit
June 13, 2014 at 6:55 pm
I’m new to posting so don’t know how long they take to appear. But I’ve written two on this so, so I’m concluding. I have certainly been affected by the narcissists in my life. I realize I am a magnet for them because I am just what they need for their ill perceived image. I have ehat they lack. We all do and we are the same people with the same stories. We are charmed. May hear a sob story, show compassion and try to help them feel better thus exposing basic human vulnerability. Oh! They know just how far to go before they unleash that wrecking ball. But now we know these weird, eccentric, EGOcentric, abusive people have a resl problem with the perfectly self described label. These people are so chaotic they we hate THEM. None of us know to what point they are aware and unaware of their effects on the lives of others. I personally THINK most are aware of how they are but don’t understand WHY they are this way. I’m almost positive that they are to self consumed that it simply doesn’t dawn on them they are abnormal.One woman would inflict her narcissism on me as a way to mske her look modest yet she’d JUST finished stating how she does her job above and beyond and how she is to be believed. But she could convince you to see what’s there THEN, not how it came to be there. Another woman repeated everything I said. Then she’d bring it to me as if SHE wad the one who though if or spoke of it first. The guy I dated would repest the very same actions I took from him so HE could see how he came across to me. So I really don’t believe these personalities are capable of comprehending why people cut them off, keep them distant because of the effect they’ve had on people. They certainly disrupt, if not destroy peoples lives and they are aware of that, but they just fathom why WE don’t understand their distorted reality. We can’t fix them. Reasoning and logic is of no use. It doesn’t work and full their scorn further.

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SP
June 18, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Careful!

It is good to recognize abusive or challenging behaviors in a partner, but that is just the beginning. The real work and real recovery comes from a focus on self discovery. We are not totally passive ‘magnets’ that draw in xyz. Rather, we have our own set of beliefs, attachment style, personality traits that hook-in especially well with certain others for a for a variety of very complex reasons, one example; a narcissistic style of relating corresponds to an attachment style called ‘avoidant’. Some of the most difficult relationship dynamics are between those with an avoidant attachment style and those with an anxious (angry/resistant) attachment style. When these two get together, it can be a real roller coaster, but they often find each other irresistible and stay together for years! With lost of complaining! BOTH have relational styles that are (mal) adaptive and contribute to the dynamic. Both can be very co-dependent (blaming of other, unwilling to accept responsibility for own happiness). This can go on for years and years. Go on an exploration of self; that is where the real healing is!

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Chelle B
June 19, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Chelle B.

Here goes, I’ve been married to my Narc. for a little over 2 years but dated a year before marriage. The year of dating was a clue to what my future life was going to be like. I really wished I would have paid closer attention to the clues that he sat before me, the controlling, obsessiveness, seclusion and the breaking up (seems like) every other weekend…things I’ve never been subjected to in my adult life. We’re both 48 years old but he wants to be 32….listening to rap music all day, buying new clothes every time him and his friends decide to go to a club, which is every week and leaving me at home alone crying but he doesn’t see that it’s a problem. Sometimes he would look at me with a look of hatred in his eyes, he would tell me he doesn’t like having intimate relations with me, called me fat girl and just like to pick arguments for no apparent reason. When he goes out he will not answer his phone and when I get upset about it he says he didn’t hear the phone ring, but if I’m right at home and my phone is in another room and he calls and I don’t answer it..it’s a problem, he’ll say what are you doing that you can’t answer your phone…are you kidding me, I am at home not in a bar or club and I’ll call him right back. He finds any little thing to start an argument with me, everything has to be his way or I’m not doing it right. He’s so arrogant and rude to not only me but his friends and family also. He really makes me feel as if he doesn’t like me and doesn’t want to be around me, but when I say something about it I’m wrong and he doesn’t know why I feel that way…he’ll stay out all night and it’s ok…I need to stop being insecure…I’m running him away…he’s tired of going through these changes. So finally I asked him what changes are you going through, I don’t have to hang in a club/bar every week, I always answer my phone when you call, I don’t treat you like I can’t stand to be around you and I definitely don’t point out your imperfections even though you have some. He also thinks that I’m at this stupid, unintelligent person because he talks down to me, he’ll say I don’t understand when he’s talking to me..I can go on and on with the things he does and say, maybe I’ll continue the next time. For some reason I love my Narc husband but I wish I could get the love back that we had at first and I have suggested it, but he says there’s nothing wrong. Now can someone please help me? I’m getting to be at my wits end…I can’t even talk to him, if I have something to say I have to text him so that I can get it all out without being interrupted or having to see the look of disgust on his face. Wow… I just can’t believe I’m going through this in my late 40s…this is just unbelievable….I need help…someone please help me, give me some advice…please please please!!!!

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Lou
June 21, 2014 at 6:05 am
Hi Chelle,
Please go back and re-read your post very carefully. This guy is looking at you with hatred in his eyes, doesn’t want to be intimate, calls you fat? He’s staying out all night and thinks it’s okay? He thinks you are unintelligent and talks down to you? But then you say you love him??? WHY?
I am right at the same age as you….at our age, we don’t need a “man” that’s listening to rap all day and hanging at the bars at night. (does any woman really need this at ANY age?) He sounds horribly immature and he’s causing you heaven only knows how much emotional damage.
I know you have a dream of making your relationship work, but I don’t think it’s going to happen with this man. He’s not capable of it. It is not your fault that he is this way. It’s time to think about cutting your losses and getting out. Yes you will be sad, you will be lonely, you might even feel like you are going to die. But you won’t. You will survive him and if you will do the work that needs to be done on yourself, you will go on to have a fantastic life, with or without a man.
You need to leave him and go on a personal journey to find out why you would continue to put up with the mistreatment he’s dishing out to you. I am guessing you are probably a shy and caring type of person….narcissists seek out this kind of person. Often we women believe we can “love” their problems away, but we can’t. He has you convinced that if you only try harder…..riiiiight.
The man you met and the love you had in the beginning was not real, it was an illusion he used to reel you in. The man you know now is the “real” man. He’ll never change because he is incapable of change, he doesn’t even think he’s doing anything wrong!
Age 50 is staring at us both in the eyes….we don’t have countless years left in this life. Please don’t waste any more of your precious years on a man who couldn’t care less about what you feel.
Stay strong and let me know what happens. You CAN do better than this, I have faith in you!

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Sherry
August 17, 2014 at 10:25 pm
I believe ur correct I had Bn married to a cross between these two types of people rolled into a one destructive package. We were married 12 years n fortunately he left me n the kids but his evilness continues n he only uses his parents, our kids n myself for creating toxic situations. We actually had a brief time were he left all of us alone to travel but when he retuned it was worst! What can be done to survive this type of person. This man has already helped cause the early death of His father with constant worry n bailing this person out of every imagine able situation n finally his father to die. I know people say that didn’t cause his fathers’s death but u don’t know all the circumstances n years of tourtière for a fathers only son… Just let it at that n his father had no Heath problems n had timely check up. This person then plans his dads funeral before the last his dads last breath n has already stole all the valuable items from his home within hours after the funeral. The are two children early teens n his mom that I am concerned what will happen now that he has Will in hand n only thing that stands between him n millions are these children n his mom. What took his years to build as a great family has now been n will be destroyed by this outa control adult that is very intelligent w such evil!

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Deb
June 20, 2014 at 10:25 pm
I have spent the last 25 years living in the hell of a narcissistic “partner” – while we have been separated for 8 years, he is still making life hell. I have tried repeatedly to serve him with divorce papers this year, at his request and each time he has refused to sign for them. He refused to sign them in previous years – not sure of his reason but assuming it was control. He was telling his friends that I was refusing…… Also,he threatened me with violence if I have them delivered by a process server so I am frustrated, as he won’t co-operate with picking up the registered letter (twice I have tried and twice someone else has picked them up after he asked specifically if that was ok, and I clearly said it was not, that HE had to sign for them……). He has a new person in his life and told me last year they were having a kid – not sure if that was a lie (he lied all the time so it’s hard to know) but if she has had his kid, I assume she would like to get married……I think he’s just being a controller and trying to upset me (and possibly her – who knows?).

I spent several years confused by his weird behaviour – he blamed me for EVERYTHING that went wrong in his life – my favorite was when his fishing buddy decided that he didn’t like getting up at 4am on Saturdays to fish and would refuse his invitations – that was MY fault because his friend thought I was a bitch! I had never done anything to this friend – had even tried to build a connection by inviting him and his girlfriend to supper, etc – I guess the reason the friend hated me was that my ex was telling him what a bitch I was……I think back to our wedding and his friend was best man and would not even speak to me – he was outright rude! I had no idea that my ex was so manipulative, controlling, calculating and cruel while we were dating….the craziness started soon after marriage. He seemed to turn on me. I moved to his hometown, which was only 3 hours away but it was far enough to make me feel isolated and alone. He went fishing most weekends, and often during the week – he ran his own business and didn’t care to work very hard. He also told me that the money he made at this business was “all mine” and would not contribute to the household…. When he went fishing, he would say what time he’d be back but would never come back on time – I used to worry that something had happened but after a while realized that he was fine, and was just being a jerk/disrespectful of me.

He decided one summer to golf instead of work – this was after a long winter with no work…..I was his meal ticket. We didn’t have kids because he wasn’t ready he said but he was telling others I didn’t want them – I had no idea of the lies he was telling people. I did get pregnant and he said “oh” when I told him – that was painful….he had no joy – just that one word – I miscarried the baby and on the day the child would have been born, my ex beat me up, lied to his brother about it, went on his annual golf vacation and never looked back. To this day, he denies that anything happened, says that I just bailed on him because I didn’t want kids. He also told everyone about my miscarriage even after I asked him to keep it private – when I asked why he’d done that he said “I didn’t want people to think there was anything wrong with me”. I see now that he is a classic narc……nothing but his needs matter.

I wish I had known about NPD earlier in my life – I would have gotten out sooner and still had a chance at a good life. Now I am in my 40s and childless….and broken…..he didn’t care that he hurt me – I think he actually enjoyed it. I think he is still enjoying knowing he did it.

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Tess
June 21, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Should I break up with my boyfriend cuz i think i am a narcissist… I dont want him to end up writing one of these comments one day…

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Shawn Biagi
June 24, 2014 at 6:28 pm
I have sat here for the last 2 hours reading all these posts & it feels like I am reading stories about my life. After 10 years of being treated like a second class citizen doing everything in our lives without him ever offering to help out. Everything is all about him, my feelings are just a nuisance that get in the way according to him. I feel broken & alone all of the time. I have spent the majority of my life in abusive relationships & thought my life would be so much better being with someone who doesn’t physically abuse me. Truth is, this kind of mental abuse is almost worse. At least when I had bruises & broken bones, I would cry from the physical pain & know that eventually it would heal. Now I cry all the time from the emotional pain & feel like these scars might never heal. I wish I had the strength to just get up & walk out, but the sad truth is, I don’t.

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Bernadette
June 24, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Hello to all who have gone through this type of relationship. We all share many of the same experiences in unique ways, with children or without, being married to a person with this type of personality is like drinking a little poison every day. We try everything to make it work and nothing works! We die a little every day. I am at the breaking point again!! It seems like I am all too familiar with this scenario. I am pleading with God to help me make a run for it and never look back! Easier said than done. Congratulations to all who have escaped and let us pray for those still in the struggle to find a way out!

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Renee
July 13, 2014 at 11:40 am
Is there no hope for someone in a narcisistic relationship? Can it not work? After 8 years, I am starting to beleive my husband suffers from this. He underwent therapy as a teen. He hates labels and will not give me much detail other than they could not help him and only trained him how to deal with people in life.

Should I throw the towel in and see where life takes me? His latest deal is that he is committed to providing for me and our children. But he wants to live elsewhere Mon – Fri and return on the weekends for family time. Because that is when he can tolerate me, when we are doing things as a family. I don’t want that. That does not set a good father figure for my boys. But he became irate when I refused.

Is this unreparable. I wish I could find a professional in my area to speak with. But I am striking out.

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Elizabeth
July 13, 2014 at 9:48 pm
I am a narcissist and I can admit that. I have always thought that I was just super selfish and high maintenance because that is what my family has always called me and also, mostly for lack of a proper term. But I am not sure that I am a “severe” narcissist, because I have always actively tried to hide the worst of my traits from my friends and even my family as I’ve gotten older, as much as possible because I know they are unlikeable and undesirable traits. I guess I know how to put on a facade and fool people very easily.
When I was in high school we learned about narcissism in a psychology class and I recognized many of the traits of a narcissist within my own personality and characteristics. It did not really bother me when I found out because no one except my family really knew how self-absorbed and manipulative I really was. It did not shock me either when I determined I was a “narcissist” because I have always known, even as a younger child, that I can manipulate people to get what I want and that I am destined to be extremely successful in life (or whatever).
Luckily for me, I had a catalyst in my life that would help me control my narcissism more than I can ever say. My catalyst was a boy. I know it sounds cheesy, but I never really dated or fooled around in high school at all because no one felt worth my time. But anyways, I had met a boy whom I had never met like anybody else before in my entire life. He felt very “beyond his years” in general intelligence and practical wisdom, and he is the single most selfless person I will probably ever meet in my entire lifetime. His extreme level of selflessness combated my extreme level of selfishness in ways that I will never understand. He’s taught me, without even knowing it, to control my narcissism and be able to feel more like “me” without having to completely expose who I am altogether.
I feel extremely lucky to have met this person and I intend to spend the rest of my life with him. We have been dating for five and a half years now, with the first two or three years being pretty rocky I admit, but I can’t think of anyone else who would have put up with me for so long like he did. I remember always saying to him in our first two to three years together, “Thank you for putting up with me” or “thank you for tolerating me”. Now at the age of 22, I feel like I am genuinely happy with who I am, for one of the first times in my life. It feels pretty good.

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Moris
July 14, 2014 at 12:32 pm
I separated with my gf for 2 months now, i feel really guilty and pity for her, but after knowing what a narcissist is and googling it, i found out she was a narcissist, now i felt so relieved that God saved me from nearly marrying her. I caught her cheating several times. And i can relate to what all the people are saying here, The cheating was not the nail in the coffin why we separated, its just that i can no longer afford her luxuries, i was filled with debts, a broken man. Now she tries to show me in fb that he is with another man, i dont care anymore because im so relieved Thank God, just saying good luck to the other man, hes in into the hell hole haha

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sickandtired
July 24, 2014 at 5:17 pm
I just recently got out of a year relationship with a narcissist. It has only been 2 days since we last had contact ( i blocked him from everything) and I am already struggling. This man has ruined my life. When I first met him he was amazing, he is very good looking, charming and we got a long so well. After about 4 months i started to find out that he was still in contact with his ex gf ( someone he always spoke horribly about). I then found out they had slept together. I cut off contact with him for about 2 weeks before i went back to him. This continued to happen over and over for the next few months, always with him crying and begging me for forgiveness. I then found out I was pregnant. Him and I made the decision to get an abortion because we are both young and in college. This was an extremely hard decision for me obviously however, he was extremely supportive and caring and loving throughout the process. The day after I got the abortion he dumped me and told me he still loved his ex and did not have feelings for me anymore. Of course I was devasted and went into an extreme depression. He still tried to contact me and make small talk with me after that and once again, begged for me back to which i pathetically took him back. That valentines day, him and i spent the whole day together and then that night i saw that his ex had posted a picture on social media of flowers he had sent her. Furious, i decided to contact her and tell her exactly what has been going on and so she ended things with him as did i. Out of rage he decided to post a topless picture of me on social media calling me a whore. So once again, i cut off all contact with him. I then meet an amazing man who treated me so well and really loved me. However, the N slowly started to creep back into my life. He would show up at my apartment in the middle of the night, crying to my roommates saying how much he loves me and he knows he has problems but he would do anything to fix things with me and make things right. And as disgusting as it is, I slowly let him back in my life, thus ruining my relationship with a sweet, caring normal person. Me and the N get back together and everything is perfect for about 2 months. Then we start arguing constantly. He blames me for everything and tells me his ex was a much better woman then me and that i should be cleaning, doing his laundry, etc. every day like she has done. He also says the reason we are having problems is because of the guy i had previously been with. He completely does’nt acknowledge all the horrible things he has done with me and if he does he says what i have done is worse ( not sure what i have done). My friends and family are fed up with me being depressed 24/7 and all beg me to leave him. I have never felt like an insecure person ever. He has turned me into someone i do not recognize and it is so scary for me. Recently, i found out he had still been in contact with the same ex and i ended it completely. After him harassing me for about a week and telling me i should die, and that he never loved me, i finally blocked him from absolutely everything and have not talked to him in 2 days. I hope i have the strength to stay away from him this time because i don’t think i can handle any more of this abuse.

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Matt
August 12, 2014 at 4:43 pm
I joined a dating website and after a month, I met a woman last Sunday and we are looking forward for a second date this coming Friday but I find myself very anxious. There was an instant attraction between us and we both think that each other look better in person. We talked for over 2 hours. Both of us are extremely satisfied with our careers. She has been texting me many messages since. It is happening at a faster pace than I like. If I am just looking for a hook-up then this is a perfect opportunity but I am looking for a serious relationship. Last night I wasn’t able to sleep well trying to identify what make me feel anxious. I think I have identified a few things that she said during our first date that I might have overlooked at that time because of the excitement but now I may be bothered by them:

1. In her profile she states that she has a nice career, nice house, and a nice car.

2. We are both successful with our careers, but she kept repeating that her coworkers are jealous of her because of her talent and success.

3. She mentioned that she has lost some gal friends because she would be the center of attention all the time.

4. Her mom and sister and brother live in a different state. I thought she was mocking her 69 year-old mom, by repeating her mom’s pleading in our native language, for trying to setup a family reunion. She didn’t join her family because that wasn’t what she wanted to do.

What do you think? Am I being too cautious because am divorced or you see real red flags?

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Daniel
August 14, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Hi Matt,

This is basically about achieving a balance between giving someone the benefit of the doubt, and trusting your gut instincts.

Taking what you’ve said at face value my initial impression s of someone who is materialistic, insecure and narcissistic. Humility with success is a very attractive character trait. It doesn’t matter how physically attractive someone is, they instantly go down in my estimation where arrogance and self-conceit are concerned. You also have to question her priorities. If she is not willing to make an effort with family, how long until she treats you in the same way?

Then again, who us to say that you would not be good for her? Perhaps being with you will make her a little more secure and less occupied with what others think or perceive of her. Please forgive the cliche but only you really have the perspective to make a judgement.

Not sure if that was any help, let us know how you get on!

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Elisa
November 20, 2014 at 9:33 pm
No your not being to cautious, Major red flag in my opinion, you wrote this in August, so A little to late on my response, if you were in a relationship with someone who was a Narcissist and have healed a good amount you will be able to see red flags, which by the looks of it, you have. The fact she turned down her own family Reunion is a clear sign to run for the hills, she seems to be “all about me, kind of person” Who can’t keep lasting relationships of any kind, when it comes to family, they love you no matter what and she doesn’t care to see her Family. I hope you made a mad dash run for the hills.

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Daniel
August 14, 2014 at 12:14 pm
I have recently split up from someone I now realise was a narcissist. Stumbling across this site by accident has really made me feel that I am not alone and while it’s tragic to read some of the posts and how awfully cruel people can be, it is strangely comforting to know that you’re not alone. As with many of the stories on here, I met my ex and she was wonderful. I met her whilst on leave from Afghanistan and while a bit older and having a child (I am 10 years younger), she seemed everything I ever wanted; physically, emotionally and mentally. We had chemistry right off, we fell head over heels with each other. Going back to Afghanistan and having the sort of ‘wartime romance’ where everything is that much more precious, finite and heightened may be an explanation. Having spent time time with her on subsequent breaks, then coming home, the reality soon set in. Whilst I was possibly not the easiest person when I got home, all I really needed was someone to be understanding. Things escalated and from trying to change my lifestyle and diet (I enjoy being healthy), to having to dominate every conversation and be the centre of attention, she began to display the signs of a narcissist. Constant references to previous relationships and how guys were always approaching her were I thought just insecurities. Although she had a child, her job was clearly the most important thing in her life and nothing compromised that. However, it seemed we couldn’t even have a conversation about current affairs without her finding fault and blowing up. Despite my job, I’m not a naturally confrontational person. This makes things very difficult when the other person makes point after point, becoming more audible and almost building up to a mania….you cannot reason with them. I also found myself apologising and compromising in everything which I now know is not healthy. Knowing what I do about her, a lot of this now makes sense. She is deeply insecure about whether her Father loves her, she doesn’t talk to her Sister and she sometimes feels isolated because her family live abroad. She’s been through a divorce and is a single mother and in so e ways all I want to do is to help her. However, I realise that’s not possible, because she will never truly look inwards and be self-analytical. It’s been nearly a month and I feel that from initially being very low about this, I have made some progress. Don’t get me wrong, I still wake up and all I can think about is her and focus on the wonderful person that she was capable of being. I guess I just have to keep reminding myself of the reality. Thanks for listening….sorry for the long post!

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Jennifer
August 15, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Hi to all, to all who have had a life that started with a blissful courtship and wedding just to have the world turned upside down within a short space of time. To go from having a future full of dreams hopes and memories waiting to be made to now be here 25 years later wondering what the hell went so wrong? I could never understand why my husband could behave the way he does and say the things he does to myself and now our children. If I was a wife who got us into debt or if I played around or if my nature was such that I lied to him then I could begin to understand his outbursts possibly, but I’m none of those my only crime in our marriage was to be there by him day in day out , supporting him through uni, standing by his choices and trying to keep the impression of a happy marriage to all who know us. When I see my kids in miserable situations that my narcissistic husband has created it breaks my heart to think that if only I had the guts to change our lives but the last 25 years of constant put downs and verbal abuse has sucked all the life out of me. My boys are 11 and 15 and see daily the struggle living with someone so self absorbed so self righteous , the atmosphere in our home is always tense and the walking on egg shells take any joy out of living. I work part time, look after kids , the home and do many other tasks related to daily family life. My husband feels resentful that he works full time and there for feels little need to do anything to help as far as he is concerned I don’t work. Most days I cry when I look back at the last 25 years and think that once I was a happy teenager then meeting my husband put an end to my happiness . All those years wasted . If I were to become single in the future then I know for a fact that I would be single till the day I die as I’m never putting myself in this position ever again. Will never trust another potential partner as they tell you everything you want to hear then when the novelty of a new relationship has worn off that’s when your life is no longer yours to live. Never again! I’d rather live alone but keep my sanity , I’d rather the remainder of my life was mine to live and not be a door mat or a constant victim of an abuser.

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Jenny
August 18, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Hi I’m new to this but no stranger to living with a narsasstic husband. Been with my partner 27 years and married for 25 of those. It’s been a struggle to keep going each day as you never know what each day will bring. The constant emotional rollercoaster ride has been draining and walking on eggshells is the norm . I’ve decided to write down in a book all the memories I have of our years together, the events that have left a permanent scar on my mind. Was so shocked when I started to write at times I had to stop writing as the tears were blurring my vision. It’s only when I’d finished writing and took the time to read through my memories that I had the gut churning realization that I had spent the best of my years giving and never receiving. My husband can be ignorant, arrogant, selfish and always has to be right. We don’t communicate, I gave up any notion of communication years ago. He will get annoyed by issues I bring up and he starts yelling never lets me respond and then walks away if I do get to speak. Our 2 son’s are 11 & 15 and for years have witnessed the outbursts over trivial and minor issues. My eldest son has no respect for his father now after being on the receiving end of verbal abuse from a young age. When we first met he smoked cannabis and I didn’t really think too much of it as we were so young and I just assumed that it was something that he would grow out of. How wrong was I he is almost 50 and has smoked this stuff virtually every single day. I have no doubt this has an impact on how he behaves but he would strongly deny it. When he picks upon things that he thinks I should change or improve on then I can’t help thinking what a hypocrite!!! If only he took a good long look in the mirror at his own behaviour, like that’s ever going to happen? At present we live in the same home but have no communication ,we sit in separate rooms and for now I don’t see any future. I feel like a shell of a person and only do the daily tasks on autopilot. Don’t think things will ever get better but I have no real way of leaving as I only work part time don’t earn enough and no way will his pride let us put the house up for sale as that would show everyone that the marriage failed and he wouldn’t want the embarrassment of that. Is there ever an answer or is this it forever?

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Vince
September 2, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Jenny,

I am so sorry for the position you are in. I am also sorry for the folks posting other comments as well as for myself.

Having suffered the same way, I found strength doing 2 simple things. 1 -You must disconnect emotionally and 2 – Protect yourself in all ways (physically, mentally, financially). This took me several years to accomplish, but I feel better about myself than I’ve felt in several decades.

I’ve been married for 35 years, 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. I was blind to everything until about 10 years ago. About 4 years ago, realized she would never change. Been trying to cope everyday since. Almost anything you do to rectify the situation is more likely to worsen it. Remember Narcissism is rooted in self-loathing. Trying to correct or enlighten a narcissist only draws more fire and hatred.

Like you, we live separate lives under the same roof and nothing she says has any real effect on me. I’m careful to understand what triggers her condition(s) and to recognize narcissistic feeds when I can and manipulate them to my benefit. I never trust or believe her and I never take things personally even though they’re intended that way.

I won’t specify all the abuse, there are plenty of stories to read on this blog and they’re all the same. I now realize the abuse has been there all along right from the beginning. I was too starry eyed or busy to recognize it. Having said that, I will not leave my wife, even though I am not and can never be in love with her again. Anything I do to her will only ultimately hurt my children and my grand children and I would never do that. She appears to be a good mother and grandmother (her saving grace) and I (we – my children) take great care to make sure she doesn’t become abusive. She sees them as support for her grandiosity and uses them against me every chance she gets, but they understand, so we endure.

So, the best I can do is try and forget and heal. I can offer solace and advice and perhaps down the road find the strength or the smarts to do something else.

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Just Lindsey
August 21, 2014 at 7:50 pm
I’m on the internet daily reading various blogs regarding Narcissistic Personality Disorders and any information regarding Sociopaths. I to am currently married to a man that exhibits all the traits and characteristics of both disorders. We are separated and I plan to divorce as soon as the 6 month waiting period is over. We were only married a year to the date when I packed his belongings and asked him to leave. It was very ruff at first but as each day passed it got easier and easier for me. He goes out of his way to communicate with me, there have been instances where we have to communicate but not often. I continue to maintain no contact with him unless its absolutely necessary, even then I allow him to ask what he needs, I answer him and then end the call or respond by text. I don’t give him any power over my life and I let him know that his words has no meaning or any power over me. I’ve read many of your post and just like you all I’ve asked myself why didn’t I see any of this prior to marrying this man, well, we all know that these people are great actors/chameleons. They tell you just what they think you need to hear to bait you in (Love Bombing). Its all about them and “their universe” that they have created in their heads. My husband is very active in our church and works diligently with the youth ministry. Everyone at the church thinks he’s sent from heaven above when in all actuality he’s Satan’s Son. I’ve left the church and I now fellowship elsewhere away from him, because at the end of the day NONE of these people will believe who he really is if I tell them. I’m sure he’s smeared me to those who will listen but I don’t care because I know the truth. I just really want to encourage someone and let them know that things will get better. It’s a daily struggle when you have been emotionally/mentally abused by someone you trust and Love (d). I read this a few weeks ago and it made sense to me… ” Love is giving someone the ability to destroy you, but trusting them not to” … DO NOT allow this situation to taint your perspective about other people, there are plenty of good people out there, we just happen to trust the wrong person for the right reasons.. THEIR LOST! To those of you that are still on this journey in dealing with a disordered person whether it’s for the kids or finances, try not to loose the focus of yourself, keep contact with those who know you, Love and support you. There are also many support groups (online) that has been very helpful to me, my favorite is Lovefraud.com – This site is very informative and supportive, honestly it saved my life. I wish EVERYONE the very best life has to offer, pray for me and I will continue to pray for each of you – God Bless You ALL!

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Elisa
November 20, 2014 at 9:22 pm
I’m glad you got out of that before kids were even possible, although in my situation, once i became pregnant my ex husband made 1-80 change on me. (I would never regret my Kids, I just wish they had a different Dad) Its not easy even now and i haven’t lived with him in like 2 years its has gotten way worse since we have kids now, At least he’s a good dad to his kids for now, I hope he never proves me wrong on that but someone who is a narcissist, you just never know.

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Dwayne
August 25, 2014 at 3:42 pm
All I can say is thank God for you! I have always joked that my self-loving wife was a narcissist. This article/posting pretty much confirms it. Not only does it confirm it, but it feels as if I wrote it. Just a little background, I have been married for 20 years to a lovely woman who is an unwaivering narciccsist. Walk with me if you will back to the time before cellphones :-) When we were in the dating stage, I would often comment on the fact that my wife never saw a camera she did not like. This woman had shoeboxes full of Polaroid selfies, and 110/120/35mm selfies. At last check, she still had not gotten rid of them. I mean that would be uncharacteristic for someone with such an illness. I do believe that a lot of it was instilled with her growing up. She lost her father at a vital time in her life. She was 13 when he was snatched from her in a major incident. She shared with me that their family had plans to do some big memory building things when he returned from his assignment, unfortunately that never happened. I am no Psych, but I think that in her family trying to comfort she and her brother they created this monster personality. I have dealt with it as long as I have, because I thought we were destined to be together. I tell myself constantly that the stoic administrator that she has become is not who I married. I refused to see that they were on in the same. I would allow her to vent constantly, but if I offered any solution it was “I just want you to listen.” (?) Our paths crossed in College our First Year. I always found it funny that we had differentiating stories as to how we met, but there are many sides to the same story. Her lifelong girlfriends would always confirm that my version was steeped more in truth, though. Anyway at the end of the roller coaster ride that college was, there was this familiar face that was always around me. Eventually, we started dating and I feel in love with what I thought was a sweet, sincere, and gorgeous individual. I thought we had a solid foundation, she was someone I didn’t mind sharing my life with daily. As life happens, she got pregnant and I left school because I had a family on the way. We got married. She had already graduated and began teaching, so I started behind the curve. I quickly caught up with her and we were bringing in an equal salary. Well twenty years, three kids, a house, and dog later she woke up one morning (several years ago) and decided that she no longer wanted to be married. I cannot put a timeline on it because only she knows, but refuses to share with me. <–(gives her a sense of power) I have tried as long as I can to hold up the standard/image that was created. Then one day recently, she looked at me and said "why don't you just be honest with people?" After I picked myself up, I remembered what a Counselor told me "You were married, but your wife left you a long time ago." That being said, I have now started to be honest. My relationship sucks b@!!$ because I am married to an egotistical narcissist with sociopathic tendencies. She likes to have her ego stroked, but not from me. She loves to be the center of attention anywhere but home. Look at me… Take my picture… Joint functions get reported as "I" traveled to on FB. Selfies galore and only doing things that feed into WIFM (What's in it for me) She has detached herself from our children's life to the point that she will not do anything with them if I am around. I recently laughed, because she is looking for a new vehicle and simply said she wants one that inspires "Hate". Huh? Who does that? Oh yeah, narcissists with sociopathic tendencies.In the end, I am hanging on to get my youngest son (HS Jr.) into College and then I'm out. I know things are only going to get worse, because it is easier for narcissists to project blame than to accept their part. I can no longer allow myself to be the target for why everything went to the toilet. Wake Up and accept some fault! (Not going to happen, Not going to happen)

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Sam
September 10, 2014 at 11:32 am
I have found, after my own run in with one, that the answers are indeed within. Our world is so externalized that we are led away from the internal world within. Our childhood past shapes us thus our subconscious seeks those unresolved issues in our adult lives. We become victims, or prisoners, of our own minds hence our vulnerability or inability to see what’s coming, or see it but the ego can’t let it go (perhaps playing the rescuer). I’ve explored, the one room book of my mind, and seen my own triad of falling victim, rescuer or persecutor and the inevitable attraction of the same. Having found much inner peace, through real understanding, in seeking truth, not subjective truth, I believe I have found what most search for but unable to attain; unconditional love with another, but only first through acceptance and love for myself. You have to have within before you can give without. I find it is easy to now recognize when others are not genuine and appropriately deal with them. I have learned to trust my emotions and especially my intuition, that inner voice. That balance of mind, body and spirit is divine in universal law; we are both male and female, conscious and subconscious and physical and energy bodies that can lead us along spiritual lines. Nothing new age here, very ancient. I periodically check, for own research, these sites to get an understanding or clarity on something I may not be certain but my real education came from developing asymmetrical thinking and meditation. Once in a while I’ll comment if I feel it will be helpful. If I could recommend some reading try Osho- The pillars of consciousness, Judith Orloff – Positive energy, James Hollis – Why good people do bad things and, of course, anything Carl G Jung. Exploration of myself, ignorance that was my own, was probably the most difficult thing I had to do. Good luck on your own exploration! Don’t forget to be patient and kind to yourself; we are after all, fallible.

Regards,

Sam

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Paul
October 2, 2014 at 9:31 am
My girlfriend of almost 3 years has just ended our relationship and I am hugely proud of her.

I have been displaying narcissistic behaviour and traits for well over 18 months, and she has been doing her very best to love me and help me to be the man i really want to be.

We both love each other and I would love more than anything to be back together, we’re a perfect fit apart from this behaviour.

How can I combat my narcissism?

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Evilmind
October 14, 2014 at 4:13 am
I caused my family to fall apart at age 8 and i am proud of it i also caused bullying and abuse everywhere i went its fun suckers

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Pooh-Bear
October 18, 2014 at 3:35 pm
I hope I’m not repeating anything said in the foregoing posts, but this articles suggests that narcissism is something that can usually be treated. However, full-fledged, diagnosed narcissists have a personality disorder that is extremely difficult to change, even with years of therapy. The disorder goes to the very core of their being. Treatment may help them deal with certain issues, if you can get them to get treatment, but I have been told by therapists that it is very difficult help true narcissists therapeutically and any progress can take years. That being said, narcissism exists on a spectrum and people on the less severe end of the scale are obviously better candidates for therapy and treatment.
Personality disorders are distinguished from mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, etc. that can usually be treated to some extent with medication and/or therapy. I found the following article instructive:

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2009/03/but_enough_about_you_.3.html

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Melita
October 24, 2014 at 1:52 am
What a wonderful and well-written article, thank-you.

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GG
November 9, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I was married to an N for 13 years. He believed himself to be a genius, gifted entrepreneur, economist, author, screenplay writer, designer, CEO of his nearly fake “companies”, magazine Editor in Chief, and social activist. He spent thousands on websites for ALL of these ventures. His books were a joke. His screenplay was amateur and poorly written. His business ideas were poorly thought out and hare brained. He set up a non-profit website online, and said it dispensed health insurance cards, and had a bank and online university. The articles were poorly written and the content was a joke. He truly had a full on mental disorder and was delusional with these ventures. It was so embarrassing and pathetic. My N would lash out and demean me if I dared to question his ideas. He would let the mask slip, and say things that indicated how he felt about me….beneath him, disposable, and replaceable. At 30, he started commenting on how he could see that once we were in our forties that he would like to start a second family with a much younger woman because he projected that I wouldn’t be very sexual at that point.

After I had our two kids, he would often criticize me for wearing gym clothes too much (kids were 6 months and 2.5 years…please) and would lament how his ideal woman would wear dresses and heels all day. When we split, he was 32 and began dating his current gf who was 19 at the time who was very attractive as many people are at that age. I remember seeing her strut around his crappy old rental house in heels and a dress at 11 am on a Wednesday or something. He would be in the corner at his cluttered disorganized makeshift office area working his job as “CEO” of his latest “venture.” He would give her a title such as “marketing manager” or something of his screenplay or book or delusional online financial university ….yes, from this crappy run down rental house, he fashioned himself as the creator of an online financial university with an accompanying book on economy (which was only 1/3 written) AND the editor-in-chief of a monthly magazine (which never produced an actual issue)!

Fast forward…we divorced and I have mostly raised our two kids with my now husband of 7 years. We have a normal and sane life, and are doing well financially. My N is 42 and still with his equally narcissistic girlfriend of 8 years. She is 29 with an associate’s degree and works a menial job for an auto part chain as a recruiter. She has gained weight, and is on Prozac. He has no money, and can barely pay the shared rent on their crappy 1 bedroom. He works a very low level sales job and his coworkers are all in their early twenties. After years of his delusional endeavors which wasted time and money (became deeply in debt) all of his thirties, he was forced to take a real job and it is at the very bottom of the corporate ladder. It eats him alive to have to face who he really is…just an everyday schmuck. His peers who are his age now have VP titles, houses, beach houses, take vacations, nice cars, college money for kids, money in the bank, and he is barely scraping by with his entry level job. He goes to sales trainings with 23 year olds. I have heard him have complete desperate meltdowns about how “f…ing” unfair life is! He was very distraught when he took the job because it forced him to have to see who he really is in the real world…..average AT BEST. Actually, he is faced with the evidence of his life circumstances that he is below average. At 42, MANY others are far ahead of him now. This was extremely difficult for him to face! He couldn’t magically put together another website and dub himself CEO for narcissistic supply…no money left to do it and he was very very behind on his child support payments. He could no longer afford more props.

These were just a few of his crazed exploits! He took $50k of our house equity money without my knowledge, and started a wine company knowing ZERO about how to distribute wine. This turned into a total debacle, and total waste of money.

Anyway, I could go on and on. It all did a number on my head for many years after we split. It was tough coming to grips with the fact that my EX viewed both me AND the kids as VERY disposable and replaceable. He just viewed us as props in his life , and there was never any authentic care or love towards me. I was just an opportunity that came along because I had well to do parents, and he saw a chance at getting into the family business.

Oh well. Look at him now. Karma’ s a bitch!

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anonymous
February 6, 2015 at 8:29 pm
My story about my ex is almost exactly the same as yours.. change a couple of details (like from wine to another business).. but he married me for my parent’s money and to make children to worship him.
Many of my friends think he is gay but hates himself because of his religious disposition to not accept gays.
If he is not gay, he certainly withholds sex as a punishment. Many narcs get wrapped up in porn and he certainly did. It is more lonely being in the room with a person who ignores you than it is being alone. Now I have no money left so at least I won’t attract a Narc!

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Elisa
November 20, 2014 at 7:08 pm
For 2 years before my ex husband and got married and decided to have kids, he never treated me badly, when it came to other people he was insensitive, he is a person of authority at his job, obviously, you live and learn. But lets get one thing straight on the part where it talks about how to cope with it, so narrow minded to one side. My Ex Husband did total 180 on me when we became pregnant, yes the reality of cost too us by surprise, Which i did offer to work, he insisted i didn’t, damn serious about it too, however i see it I would have been screwed if I did or didn’t. He make damn good Money and was able to spend money on himself and when he couldn’t because of a choice we made. He started to be so hurtful and mean, making me feel like a burden that my pregnancy was a mistake. Before hand we never fought for about 6 months of that crap and going to him countless times in a civil way to express what he is saying and doing is hurting me, he would say he was sorry but continue to repeat and treat me like crap he would tell me you know I don’t mean it, why can’t you just let is roll off your back? The more i went to him about the cycle that seemed to always repeat it self he eventually after he got fed up with me coming to him started to act out even more, we are no longer together or living in the same house, we have been divorced for about a year now. I can’t get away from him because we have kids, I recently asked he stop coming over during the week to see the kids, of course i didn’t tell him he is being, cruel, manipulative, no regard for my feelings and he was and still try’s to create situations either with his words or actions to get a reaction out of me, then says “I never said that” “I never did that” he would say to me “You have serious behavioral issues” another thing, this year he has the kids for Halloween and Christmas day, we had made a plan to all go trick or treating with our kids at the last min I some how pissed him off, because god forbid i get up set at what he says and does, he tells me you know I have the kids for halloween and Christmas day. I would watch it? I don’t understand that behavior, I was never raised like that and even if i was would still have a strong sense of what’s right and wrong, hell i do the right thing even when i don’t want to. its clear in this world you trying to be a good example doesn’t make the other person want to act in the same way. I am seriously thinking about doing what I told myself I would never do which is getting a restraining order, the way he is, is so destructive and emotionally speaking he is causing so much distress in my life, I’m trying to move forward. he see’s that I am and it just gets worse.

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Very concerned mom
November 23, 2014 at 2:09 am
My daughter is a beautiful fun loving person. 2yrs ago she met a boy and fell in love for the first time. She is 26 yrs old, was a model and was always so much fun. After reading most of these posts I now know her boyfriend is a narcosis. He loves himself and no one else, he constantly looks at himself in the mirror. He lies about who he is and things he did as a kid. Says he was picked for the NHL but it fell apart when he hurt himself. Every party he picks fights if no one is making him the centre of attention. He lies to her about other women, has been caught by her and denies he was with another women.
In the past 2 yrs I have seen her slip away. She has lost all her friends, all of our family cannot stand him and last year he was band from coming to my house for picking a fight at our sons stag and doe. He pick fights with anyone who pays attention to my daughter and not him. He was not invited to our sons wedding , and will not be allowed at my nieces upcoming wedding as she does not want his drama. My daughter and my niece were best friends before him. My niece hates him and is getting married soon and my daughter will not be in the wedding because of him.
Recently I discovered he has NPD we have tried to tell our daughter but she will not here of it. She barely talks to us because of him isolating her from our family and her friends. I need to help her understand who he is and what her life will be like if she stays with him…. PLEASE HELP!!!! What can I do to make her see the light on the man she is living with? … Signed very concerned mom

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Louisa
November 28, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Hi Very Concerned Mom,
I can feel how much pain you are in from reading your post. It sounds like your daughter is a very lovely person and she has fallen into the “trap”….which is all too common.
Unfortunately, there really isn’t too much you can do to make her see the light. You are not going to be able to help her understand who he is, nor should you try very hard to. If you read some of the posts above, you’ll see that this cycle seems to be a road that the non-narcissistic partner travels alone until they can work it all out in their own minds. However, there are things you can do.
1. Always be there for your daughter. Whenever you see her make a point of letting her know she is loved by you unconditionally, always and forever, and nothing can change that.
2. While you may not be able to invite him to extended family events due to how others feel about him, continue to invite the two of them to do things with you. Take them out to dinner once in awhile, or out for some coffee. Even if you can’t stand him, try to suck it up and endure for her sake. If he treats you rudely, try to get through it with grace and maturity. She will start to see how shabby he is treating her very own parent, and hopefully this can help to fuel her inner resolve that this is not the right man for her.
3. Continuing to invite them to do things with you will help keep that line of communication going with her.
4. Help build her self-esteem in any ways you can think of. Compliment her on how good she looks, on how well she is doing in her job, how nice her home looks…ANYTHING you can think of, without being too obvious. Try to compliment him, too. I know that will be hard, but it will reinforce to your daughter that you are “trying” to respect the person she loves.
5. Discreetly let her know that if she ever desires to make another life for herself, you will be there if she ever decides to leave him, that she should never be afraid to make the change because you are there to back her up. Honestly, you might want to start some kind of small bank account or trust fund for when the day comes she’s ready to make the break, if you are able to do that kind of thing.

I hope all this helps. I can feel how upset you are, however, this kind of thing can take time and you can’t tell her what to do. Trying to point out his shortcomings or to “diagnose” him is going to push her away at this point, because she’s not ready to see yet. Just try to always be a comforting presence for her and let your love for her shine through. Try not to get discouraged.
Please come back and update to let us know how things are going! I’m pulling for you and your daughter’s happiness!

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steve
December 27, 2014 at 7:48 pm
I’ve never commented on a blog like this before but am very thankful for all the posts I’ve just read. I, too, have been in a relationship with a narc wife for 25 years. We’ve been separated for 5 & the last 2 years we’ve been trying to sort out our differences so we might eventually get back together. But, lately she’s been reverting a lot to her old behaviour. I’m 52 & she’s 56. Our sex life is probably the most amazing it’s ever been in 25 years & I am scratching my head trying to work out why?!
Our kids are 23 & 20 & are both quite successful young people which I’m very glad about although my daughter suffers sim traits to her mum. But thankfully, she has been able to see herself from the outside unlike her mum & I hold great hopes for her welfare.
My wife is an emotional abuser & a bully. Always belittling everyone else & building herself up. Seems enamoured by young & good looking men. This behaviour, along with serious outbursts of anger even when things are looking good have been going on almost as long as I’ve known her. It’s a nightmare living in the same city as her at times.
Christmas day she caused such a scene that when it was my turn to ‘answer’ (after the kids had had a serve), she eventually told me ‘F##k off!’….something she’s never done before & the past few days have escalated from there between niceness on her behalf to a fully blown argument yesterday arve. She told me recently that I am a ‘wonderful lover’….something she’s never told me before, nor has anyone else for that matter & I’m wondering where the hell that comment came from.
She was sexually abused by her brothers when she was a kid, had a father who was an alcoholic, was very promiscuous in the teens & the list goes on.
Thanx for the ability to write on this blog & to anyone who reads this & comments. I really appreciate it.

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Deborah D
January 10, 2015 at 8:19 am
“A NARCISSISTS IS A BITTER ONION WRAPPED IN ROSE PETALS—but what’s inside will make you cry…” From Crystal Healing For Women

I recently was told, that in life there are “Life Givers & Life takers” and I was married to the life taker for too many decades. I recently read an article about Narcissists, Sociopaths, Psychopaths, and how you must break free from them. But… I know now, it took my husband leaving me, and then I was able to see his utter inability to really love me, only himself. I gave me heart, and soul to this person, only to have him use me, abuse me (emotionally- not physically), and then he threw me out like I was garbage.

Yep, after 34 years of marriage to my husband who walked out on me last year, and now drives and lives in a big rig truck, I stepped back after only 4 month afterwards, hurt, damaged, and angry too, and felt like I had been kicked in the stomach, and hit over the head with a brick, and started assessing just “what and who” I married. I realize now, that I married not only a narcissist, who belittled me, didn’t respect of value anything I did or said, but also someone who is socially and emotionally stunted in his growth, who cannot grasp that he did anything wrong, and can also NEVER APOLOGIZE to me or anyone else. He never had any friends around him during our marriage, but because I am in extrovert, and he was always either at to sea in the Navy, or in the corporate world, and I was happy, with friends around me.

It was after my husband left, that i reached out to those I had lost during my marriage to him, and they told me they always thought my husband treated me badly, and didn’t appreciate me either. But as they say, hindsight is always 20/20, and know I cannot change the past, cannot change events, nor can I change my husband.

This type of person, like the one I married for many decades “sucked the life out of me”, and know it’s going to take many years of counseling, and recovery to heal from the damage my husband did to me. The book I read about these types of men, who suddenly leave their wives, and run away like they’re on fire is called, “Runaway Husbands”. This book helped me greatly to understand that his leaving me, and not for another woman, but maybe he is gay, not sure of that at all), to know that it is ‘him” and nothing I did.

If anyone wants to read more about these types of people this website if for women and how to completely cut yourself off from them and heal.
http://www.crystalhealingforwomen.com/psychopath-narcissist.html

The letter I drafted to possibly give my husband one day, tells him that while his arrogance (and condescending ) served him well during his military and corporate life, it didn’t in his personal one. He expects everyone to apologize to him for their errors or hurt, but he can not do so himself.

I am healing from this type of person, at age 57 years old, I am aware of who I am and have always been, and know who is toxic to me. Regret is hard to overcome, and wish I could have a do-pver in my life, because he stole so much of my life already. While I haven’t yet started meeting other people, both women and men, nor dated yet, I hope I can now see these types of people and have begun to learn to draw boundaries to protect myself from the hurt I experience with abandonment.

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Krow
January 17, 2015 at 7:36 pm
Would to share my story about my 3y+ relationship with a female who I strongly believe is narcissistic. If you could take the time to read trough it and help me confirm I was indeed in a relationship with such a person or not I would greatly appreciate it.

In the beginning everything was great, super sweet and charming. Bought me birthday gift even though I just met her a few days before my birthday and decorated my bedroom with sweet cards with her name and all sorts of stuff that reminded me of her. I got the feeling that I met this sweet lovely girl that I could fall in love with and build a relationship with even though I always had a strange feeling in the beginning that she was pretending to be somebody else for me to be interested in her, just a gut feeling that I got while being around her and from signs but I never followed it. I fell in love with her and everything was great, alot of passion, affection and what seemed to me at the time love, I found my soulmate. In the beginning I had alot of confidence and I loved her very much and I always treated her like a princess because my girl (first love) only deserved the best in the world. Helped her with all her frustrations and insecurities and I was always there for her if she needed me but I quickly lost my confidence during a long process of being made ridiculous around other people, getting harsh critiscm and being manipulated. She could be very negative towards others and me and would sometimes just treat me as if I did smthing wrong, always being negative towards other people who felt good or weren’t doing the “right” things. Would simply tell me I’m pathetic if I said smthing she dind’t agree with.
I was blind by love and I would see her constantly searching for attention from other men, looking at them in a seductional way and because I believed that you need to be able to talk and be open if you love each other I always confronted her with what I saw, which is stupid when I think about it now but I couldn’t believe that this sweet girl I fell in love with could do this and would cheat on me as if she dind’t have a conscience..

She would tell me I’m being jealous and I should stop talking and worrying about it because her last relationship was broken because of jealousy, so I told myself, I’ll just trust her and not worry about it. In short whenever I wanted to talk to her it was always my fault and I could never get an honest response. We had a sort of long distance relationship and at some point it seemed like she dind’t need me that much anymore. She would make excuses in my place if I wanted to come to her and once told me she was happy I wasn’t living close to where she studied psychology. So I gave her all the space she needed and I dind’t want to be too choking in the relationship, I always blindly trusted her and gave her all the freedom and space she needed until we ended up just seeing each other in the wknds, I figured we will live together after her studies so I can aswell enjoy my free time until she is rdy and I had a job by then because I was alrdy done with my studies. Yet I would hear her everyday over the telephone and I always had to be there to listen to how this friend of hers did this or that and she dind’t like her anymore and stuff like that and if I dind’t give her the attention she expected from me which was tiring at some point she would get very mad at me and give me a silent treatment.

At some point she started telling me she was doubting me/us but she could never openly talk about it or explain what the real problem was, it always felt like it was me who did wrong and I have to change. Even though I adapted and tryd to change sometimes it was never enough, there was always something and it felt like I couldn’t do good enough for her. At some point she told me she wasn’t in love with me anymore and I felt like she was breaking up with me, I dind’t get it what was I doing wrong I was still the same guy even though she was now very dominant in the relationship and I lost alot of confidence over the years and at that point, by how she would treat me sometimes, sweet and loving when alone and a totally other person around others or her friends. She told me she wasn’t in love with me anymore but yet she dind’t want to break up and told me the same day she loves me..

I was confused and whenever I wanted to talk about it and us she would tell me stop talking about it and she dind’t want to talk about it anymore. I lost my identity and all my confidence and it was like I wasn’t really myself anymore, I felt less then I was in the beginning of the relationship. She told me after 3.5y that she kissed somebody else and she dind’t have feelings for me anymore, I felt even worse but she wanted to keep contact with me because she was worried I would fall back to how I was in the beginning, I thought maybe things will work out and I played along. I realized that all the signs, weird feelings and moments when I looked back where I had the feeling she was cheating on me were correct after all but I just couldn’t believe it.
She tells me I will always be in heart and she is grateful for every moment with me because nobody was ever as good for her as I was and even though she broke up because we became too much like friends she hoped with all her heart that we could be friends again after the pain that she caused me in the first place. I played along because I just hoped we could get back together and I put myself in a deeper hole were now I feel scared, i’m over emotional to other people’s reactions/emotions and I feel lost, nothing to say and I feel as if I’m not at the present anymore, like people are trying to talk to me and vice versa but I’m having so much trouble focusing on the present and I feel scared and insecure.. I realised that I might have symptons of borderline and I did research but I never loved her because I wanted something from her or for my own purposes, I just fell in love and because she once told me her last relationship ended because she got cheated I promised myself I would never do her wrong and will always be faithful as a real good man should. I get the feeling that this relationship was very toxic for me as it feels like a combination of a borderline personality together with a narcisstic personality and I feel destroyed and empty as a person.

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Krow
January 17, 2015 at 7:48 pm
Also I forgot to mention that I only realized all of this after she dumped me like trash. I feel like all the energy is sucked out of me and now that I’m not the fun, living person that I used to be she just dropped me like I’m nothing. I lost contant with alot of friends and I never talked to my family because I still believed and loved this sweet girl I fell in love with, my family would tell me she is disrepectfull, negative and full of her self but I dind’t want to believe it.

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Dianne
January 20, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Co-dependency and a Narcissistic personality spells disaster. In an effort to be comfortable, a meek and mild person look for someone strong to ‘latch’ onto – thus this is the trait of the co-dependent. The narcissist looks for a prey, someone kind and gentle —-
As if by a magnet, the narcissist can detect this meek personality a mile away. Not sure how they can zone it and see so quickly, but they can.
They pretend to be caring – to be a generally nice person and that’s the way they lure you in….right into the Lion’s Den. I entered into the den of darkness (man o man…..I wish I had known about this personality dysfunction of my soon-to-be husband). The sad fact is that I did marry him during one of his nice phases……SHOOT! *But I would have said “no” had it been otherwise.
Deceit. Sneaky. Lies. No financial support from his steady income. Manipulation. Unable to express the ‘love’ that they had previously shown. Withdrawal and detachment. Cheap on gift-giving, but not cheap on themselves. Demeaning traits. Negative. Controlling. Anger – Anger – Anger. THIS IS JUST A FEW OF HIS TRAITS…..
Our marriage was over as soon as it started – however I still tried to bring it back to life as I foolishly thought I had done something wrong. No matter how much I did for him, it was never the right amount, good enough, large enough etc. etc. I read (with wonderment) about an earlier comment from another blogger about the ‘honeymoon phase’…..that stung me to the core. !! I never had that opportunity to experience anything remotely representing a honeymoon. It was disaster immediately. He thought he would pull as fast one on me: Within a couple months of being married, he started sneaking his things out – piece by piece…. Until, POOF all of his stuff was out, except his clothes and grooming aids.
Even though he moved nearly all of his things out, I did have the final say: I threw all of his clothes and personal items on the front steps of house. For my protection I immediately installed a dead-bolt. Later, I changed the locks.

This is an odd-quirkiness of this dysfunction – they start to ‘love’ you when they think that you no longer love them. He has since tried to rekindle (once again) before divorce is final. No more Lion’s Den for me….

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Dianne
January 20, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Krow, I understand where you are coming from. My advise is to look ahead, not backwards. One foot in front of the other. One day at a time. Little by little, the smile of your heart will return. Have faith and trust in Jesus. This helps tremendously!

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Helen
January 28, 2015 at 3:12 am
I was with a narcissist for two and a half years he dumped me after I had our son. It’s hard too understand what happened how the lies and deception was there.So many lies he fed me.he was confident self absorbed.at times I felt alone .he uses social media to feed his ego.all the relationships he had he said all the woman were crazy but to be honest he was the crazy one.he made me feel as if I was the one with the problem .he tries to have this image that he is the victim. He doesn’t even look for our son only to his convience and that bothers.i know in time that his relationship with his new partner isn’t go to last because its just for the moment.she doesn’t see that she is his next victim.her problem. Please tell me how to get over this feeling.

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angel
January 30, 2015 at 2:50 pm
I have seen many narcissistic patients in my carrier. I am doing relationship counselling for almost 10 years.Sadly, most partners of narcissistic patients not able to know that their spouse is in trouble until they realize that their relationships in real mess. I was searching for good explanation to help them and i found it here other than http://www.selfhelpgarden.com/the-ultimate-truth-about-narcissistic-personal-disorder-relationships/.

I know how painful is that to live with such a critic situation. Do know yourself and your partner well before commit into huge responsibilities. Too many broken families out there due to lack of consciousness of knowing each other well before marriage.

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Peter
February 8, 2015 at 10:36 am
I am a 56 yr old male. I am currently several weeks into “No Contact” after spending 7 years on-again off-again with a somatic (sp?) Narcissist. It hasn’t been easy but I believe I am managing better than most (please see #2 below). I will not go into detail about my specific experiences or the pain/damage I experienced as sadly there is not much to add to what has been shared here already. With 2 exceptions;

1) I have read that somatic narcissists tend to focus their “false self” image on their (superior/special) beauty, physical attributes. Therefore sexual attention commonly figures prominently as their most valued type source of supply and so seeking inappropriate attention and conquests (infidelity) figures prominently in their behaviors. I have seen this written about extensively, but simply as their “flavor” of INDULGENCE for their craving of attention, adoration, power. However I believe there are 2 other equally powerful drivers to this behavior. Specifically, the resultant fear, humiliation and insecurity engendered in their SO’s is a tactic of both CONTROL and PUNISHMENT. My SO’s outrageous flirtation (often in front of me) and actual affairs seemed to frequently immediately follow those times in our relationship when I either made requests of compromise/accommodation (no matter how modest, reasonable – for instance my insistence that she house break her dogs before I purchased a house for us to live together) or on those occasions when I managed to salvage enough self respect and dignity to attempt to “defend” my boundaries. In other words it was used to engender jealously, inadequacy and fear in response to asking for anything beyond what was offered, or set limits on what I was willing to give/accommodate. I have seen little to nothing written about his and perhaps it was just my experience, but the timing correlation was extremely high.

2) I mentioned above that while not easy, I believe I am managing/recovering better faster than many. I think this is because once I understood that the woman I loved — no was addicted to — the perfect soul-mate facade, was just not real — rather a fabricated fantasy custom designed specifically to be irresistible to me — and that the real person was and would always be simply incapable of loving me back the way I needed/deserved, the hope of regaining that perfect soulmate which had locked me in orbit for so long finally dissipated. I call this my “Matrix” (after the movie) realization. And just as in the movie, once you are disconnected from the Matrix you can never go back (nor would you want to). Realizing that the nostalgic past was a manipulative deception and there never was and never would be a future made disconnecting and moving on/forward the only sane albeit still painful choice. Of course those realizations were (way too) long in coming and incredibly painful for me. But now that I’m there I’m finding my resolve at no-contact easier to maintain, my feelings about the past 7 years diminished to a (albeit sad) waste of time rather than the crippling sense of loss of something that can never be replaced or found again. I still feel a lot of shame at the humiliations accepted/forgiven, boundaries trampled repeatedly. But those are things I can workout on my own. The hopeless sense of having lost something irreplaceable (it was always a fake) has abated and since implementing no-contact I feel myself already recovering; the mist of depression is lifting, my self esteem and self confidence is returning, I am drinking less, re-establishing my own social life, and am beginning to feel hopeful about the future once again. I’m not sure how or if my approach to thinking of this would be helpful or effective for others, but if even one person reads this and finds value I will not have wasted my time in writing here. My wish for all who have experienced this emotional horror the strength to move past this, no it is not your fault (you were taken out by a skilled predator who themselves was most likely victimized put on this miserable path as a helpless child by another predator), and the wisdom to find your way back to yourself and the pursuit of real happiness that we all deserve. Its not that we failed somehow or aren’t loveable. Rather we put our trust and gave our love to someone simply incapable of reciprocating.

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Paddy
February 8, 2015 at 3:34 am
To Don, who dealt with the romance scammer thing. I dealt with the exact same thing, except she fell for two of them in a row and basically spending my money to try to get her boys toys here. I allowed her to exploit me for far too many years. Now it is quittin’ time! I hope you are doing considerably better. I know only a few months have past. You are, and will be far better without her.

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Andy
February 13, 2015 at 6:19 pm
You can love a narcissist but they are unreachable. They don’t love themselves – not that they are unlovable. They are just EXTREMELY hard on themselves. All the rest is not even worth writing about because it’s all out on the web by now.

Also, A lot of people come on forums like this and write about how much of a victim they were of their narcissistic partners, but “victims” also got some good out of the relationship too, namely companionship and a chance to give of themselves to someone in need, and a relationship where they might not otherwise fit with anyone else yet.

My narc ex gf hurt me,but she also showed me a side of life (positive) I have not experienced yet so she helped me move forward. It was an equal exchange of what I gave her and what she gave me.

So narc “victims” if they are honest, are not ready for healthy relationship either. Its a personal evoloution process.

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jt
February 23, 2015 at 8:30 pm
It’s been almost a year since my narc ex girlfriend decided to leave me. It’s funny. To this day, I still take blame for the relationship ending. Like if I did something else or something better or something different then it wouldn’t have ended. The truth is the end was inevitable. Looking back, I know this now. She isn’t meant to last. Narcs aren’t meant to last. They can’t. They lack the essential qualities for a lasting relationship unless they get help.

I will describe a little of my ex’s actions to display her narcissism. First and foremost, she was incredibly quick to end the relationship over the smallest issue. A slight disagreement would lead to me coming home to find she has left her to my house on my couch. She always seemed to have one foot out the door, ready to leave when things got hard or weren’t easy. It was always me working to fix the relationship. Whenever she had an issue and I asked her how to fix it or why she felt that way, her reponse was “I don’t know”. She couldn’t look inside herself deep enough for an answer. She just wanted it to be perfect and didn’t want to work at it. It was always up to me to make things happen. I bought her plane tickets for a trip but she reminded me that I didn’t pay for the entire trip or that the tickets didn’t cost that much. I didn’t take her out to dinner enough, I didn’t do this or that. It was all about what I didn’t do instead of all the great things I did do for her. I did all these nice things BUT I didn’t do XYZ. It’s like those things just get thrown aside when she didn’t get exactly what she wanted. I didn’t do enough “right” for her. That is narcissistic love at it’s core.

The first clue, looking back, that she is a narc is she wouldn’t learn to drive my car (side note-she had her own name on her license plate). I explained to her how important it was to me that she learned. It would make me more comfortable and I would feel safer if she learned. We often went on long trips where I drove. If something happened to me, the ambulance wouldn’t get there quick. She tried once and gave up because it wasn’t easy. I implored her to keep trying and told her how much it would mean to me but she wouldn’t. She just flat out didn’t care enough and since it didn’t come easy, she wanted no piece of it. She did some unspeakable things to me and while I can list a lot of them, I will share one. An embarrassing one. My ex narc gave me a disease and didn’t tell me until after she gave it to me that she had it. Not only that, she turned it around on me implying that I cheated on her.

She would have a very hard time saying sorry. I actually found myself saying sorry for things I didn’t even do! Even when she left me, I said sorry! It was like I let her down. That’s the thing…they build you up and make you feel like you are greatest thing since sliced bread and when their fantasy becomes reality and the real relationship comes to light after the honeymoon phase, they bail. Too much work. On to the next “high”. After it ended she told me “I was so good to you” like I am the one that ended it and that I am a manipulator. Self projection? Yup. To say she has no empathy is an understatement.

I have realized the reason it is so hard, at least for me, is that I accepted so much from her and tolerated so much and she still left me. I loved her unconditionally but she is incapable of the same in return. Funny, I actually talked to her about reciprocation in a relationship and she didn’t even know the meaning of the word. Seriously. It is also hard because when you look back at what you accepted, you wonder why. Why did I accept all those ridiculous selfish, self serving, acts of narcissism? I realize personally it has to do with my relationship with my father growing up but I get mad at myself for not ending it at any of these red flags. Even at the time, I know something wasn’t right but chose to see the good in her and it burned me in the end because she is incapable of the same. I was an incredibly confident guy and I constantly questioned my actions.

Going through this turmoil and anguish (I’ve been in therapy), I knew wasn’t normal for a break up. I was made to feel so important. I was, in her words, her “world” her “future” “perfect” then just dismissed like a piece of garbage. We were actually shopping for rings when she ended it. She made me feel so incredible then flipped the switch without an ounce of remorse.

I should have trusted my instincts when I saw she didn’t have any friends, she jumped from relationship to relationship, she was incredible obsessed in the beginning (how can that last?-only led her to resent me because I didn’t live up to her image), talked about marriage way too early, was incredibly sensitive, I could go on but I loved her. Truly loved her. Part of me still does, I can’t deny that. I was so empathetic to her and her past (her parents marriage was turbulent to say the least and her mother treated her like a princess) but perhaps there is such a thing as too empathetic. I made excuses for her behavior when I should have.

What an incredible learning experience. Sometimes the one thing that we want most isn’t the one thing we really need. I remind myself of that every day. Good luck to all narc survivors. There is hope!

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Lori
March 10, 2015 at 3:15 am
My ex Narc was pure evil. Evil to the core. After first he was Mr. Charmer, but umpteen years later realize he was Mr. Harmer. So many lies, so many lives destroyed. Lie upon lie upon lie. Take, take, take until there was nothing left to give. Lied about $, lied about other women, made fun of peoples looks, houses, cars, weight, hair color, teeth, height, careers, he literally thought he was King of the Castle and everyone else was beneath him. He blamed his first ex wife for everything that should have been a huge red flag. He blamed her for overspending $, being nasty, not stroking his ego enough, no wonder why the woman moved half way across the country to get the heck away from him. Now I know why!!!!!! That woman was probably an angel destroyed by this devil. He always had a way of looking like Mr. Perfect Christian Mr. Little Lost Sheep, more like a wolf. Made fun of older women, menopausal women, made fun of younger women being so naïve and stupid, made fun of older men of not having any game left in them, made fun of younger men for not being able to compete with such an intellectual like him. What a joke! He destroyed peoples lives literally! Finances, businesses, marriages, relationships, families, peoples characters, integrity. Without a damn care in the world or skipping a beat. It literally makes me sick!!!! Sick!!! Sick!!! Of how bad some of these fools can be. Not sure if I will ever be right ever again because of him. Looks like the jerk won like he said he would. He destroys everything and everyone just because. How sad. Hopefully, I’ll get my head and heart back on track someday!

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Joy
March 31, 2015 at 4:32 am
I knew SOMETHING was wrong, I just didn’t know what. I knew my partner was controlling and manipulative and I knew I wanted to get away. After 17 years, I finally got away.  :)  :)

I started reading everything I could about narcissism. When the realization hit that she was a narcissist, I was stunned and sickened. It was like someone punched me in the stomach. I panicked. I thought oh my, all those years were not real, she isn’t real, what WAS real? Am I real? I spent many a night curled up in a ball crying uncontrollably. After the breakup, she would contact me and say things like, I still love you and in the beginning I got suckered in, and then she would go back to her current girlfriend (narcissistic supply). Or I would respond and there would be no response back from her. She already had her new narcissistic supply. She didn’t need me… not then anyway.

There were little emails here and there, text messages which I now know were nothing more than narcissistic supply for her and had absolutely NOTHING to do with me, loving me, thinking about me or otherwise. It took all I had to not answer back. It took me a solid 4 years to get over the emotional devastation. It was the worst and best four years of my life. I found out who I was and why; what my family was about and how I ended up with a narcissist. Four years to get over the hurt, the pain, the fear, the anger the shame… I remember thinking, I was with her for 17 years, why isn’t she hurting like I am? I need to have a conversation with her because we used to talk about everything, and I need to talk about why it happened and what we could have done differently. 17 years. Ha!!! She was already with someone new in a few weeks after I left. Not a trace of me left anywhere.

A short time ago, I started dating someone for the first time and realized that uh oh, this person could be a narcissist. Red flags were flying all over the place!!! I got out fast and never looked back. I realized I could still be vulnerable to that situation. I can spot a narcissist a mile away and a mile away is how far I want to be from them! I know that if my ex e-mails at Christmas time or anytime, I won’t respond because there is NOTHING in that exchange that is going to make me feel good and I learned that the hard way. Several times.

You CAN get away from a narcissist, you HAVE to get away. You need to get YOU back!! I was 55 and I had to start all over again, new job, new place, new everything. Today, I am fulfilled with my own friends, my family, and loving myself. Your narcissist will NEVER change. You will NEVER hear what you think you want and need to hear from them. They are incapable of saying the things that you want to hear, that you SHOULD hear, but you won’t. Don’t go back, don’t answer the phone, don’t respond. Cry because you need to and reach out to a good friend to help you through it. Get out…. now. You can do it.

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MiMi
April 3, 2015 at 2:48 am
I am literally in tears reading these comments. I fell for this guy because he seemed so confident. He didn’t have much to offer tangibly. He explained to me that the reason for his situation was because he was recently divorced and starting over again. I admired his drive. We seemed to have so much in common. Then one day he started to hone in on my flaws. Things that he once said that he admired about me, he started to critique. He constantly pointed out my flaws and immediately pointed out hoe better he would have handled situations. He criticized my parenting, my children, my driving etc… I literally feel like I am walking on eggshells around him. He’s always boasting about how he thinks and how most people don’t have the mental capacity to think like he does. He’s rude, abrasive, has no regard for anyone else’s feelings, and everyone else is always the problem. In fact, that’s one of his favorite sayings, “I solve problems.” The issue is that everyone else is the problem, never him. He’s never wrong. I feel so insecure with him. I feel inadequate, like I’m not enough for him, although I know that I can honestly do much better. I’ve questioned frequently, if his behavior is compensating for something.

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ABOUT LISA FIRESTONE, PH.D.
Lisa Firestone, Ph.D.
Dr. Firestone is the Director of Research and Education at The Glendon Association. An accomplished and much requested lecturer, Dr. Firestone speaks at national and international conferences in the areas of couple relations, parenting, and suicide and violence prevention. Dr. Firestone has... Read More

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