It’s Narcissist Friday!
First, narcissists don’t really argue, do they? No, they attack. If you don’t understand that the only goal of a narcissist in an argument is to win, you will find yourself at a terrible disadvantage. He doesn’t really care to understand your opinion or your ideas. He just wants you to shut up in humiliation, especially if you dared to challenge his idea.
Too strong? Not really. Those who have lived or worked with narcissists know what I mean. In fact, this may be the first time you have heard anyone state it as strongly as you have experienced it. Very often it is during an argument when the true colors of the narcissist can be seen.
Yesterday I wrote about ad hominem arguments. The narcissist is often a master at this fallacy. In fact, he may do it in a way that you don’t even recognize as such. When he says, “But is that wise?” he may be suggesting that you are too stupid to get his point. When he says that he understands how you could think that, you wonder if he just disrespected you. Or he may do it in a way that seems gross and unfair. He may remind you of some foolish decision you made or say something about your parents. This tactic will change the argument, probably even end it.
Why does he do this? Because he is insecure. When the narcissist is challenged, he must win using any method necessary and as quickly as possible. He will also try to win decisively so the topic won’t come up again. He cannot afford to look foolish or wrong and he simply won’t take the chance.
Most people simply give up arguing with their narcissist. It costs too much and it never ends well. I would suggest that this be considered a tactic of control, rather than a position of defeat. By refusing to argue, you disarm the narcissist. He or she will be frustrated to realize that you are not overcome by his thinking. Just be prepared to listen to a long one-sided argument.
Grace for my Heart 
Thanks Dave, for yet another edifying article. Question: What if the attack was publicly done upon you? Wouldn’t there be cases when a very, very strong response would be in order to set a boundary, that what they have done simply is not acceptable?
I think my husband is a narcissist. He and I have been married for only four years, and I’ve been in a domestic violence shelter THREE times. We’ve been separated for a year and a half, but we still have regular contact. He’s destroyed my relationships, and I literally have only ONE friend I can count on for support. He’s completely unwilling to respect my boundaries, and has taken my car and entered my home without my knowledge or consent. The thing is, he dismisses my feelings about the things he does to hurt me, and edits the events casting himself as the victim, martyr, hero, etc. I have ptsd, and my condition has become much more severe since our involvement. I can’t even work anymore, because I’m not mentally competent.I feel like a hostage. I’ve made it very clear that I want nothing more to do with him, but he behaves as if he doesn’t hear or comprehend what I’m trying to communicate. I eventually get so confused that everything in my mind disappears… I totally check out… and then he “wins” the argument because he’s disabled me, mentally.He goes into a weird space while I’m setting boundaries where he starts going on about our great love and the wonderful life we’re going to have, and it honestly looks like he’s high. How can I exit this relationship?
Anastasia, thank you for writing. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. I have a couple of thoughts and I hope you will read this. First, please use the law to support you in your weakness. It sounds like you have grounds for a restraining order and you should do whatever you can to keep him away. There are many here who understand the damage a narcissist can do to your thinking. You cannot listen to him and need to find a way to get away.
Also, you need a good counselor to help you find the way back to yourself. This is not something you can do on your own. If you can’t afford one, talk to the folks at the shelter. push the issue. If the counselor won’t listen to you or believe you, find someone else. I know this can be hard work, but you are worth it. Much of what you describe is like that which comes out of abuse. A good counselor will be able to help you set boundaries and think clearly again.
Please know that I am praying for you. You are welcome to write to me directly. I may even be able to help you find a counselor. I care.
Aside from the physical violence, the mental confusion reminds me so much of my former relationship, which I realize is pretty much common to every N victim. Just also how Anastasia describes him going on about their great love and wonderful life they would have. My ex did the same thing, and I would always be so perplexed – we were in the same relationship, but he seemed to think everything was peaches and cream, while many days, it took every ounce of mental energy I had to convince myself to give the relationship a little longer, to try to figure out how to get to that place where I could relax and enjoy it. I also remember the behavior that implied he didn’t hear or comprehend what I was trying to communicate. The reality – he didn’t Want to hear or comprehend. I’m not sure he was even in touch with reality.
Anastasia, I think we’re talking about the same man.
Yes I believe that is the case. Because the N has already planned the attack, they always plan, and the goal in this case is to show others you don´t deserve respect. Don´t let them do it.
I endured for 32 years, for the kids. I knew in court I would never win because he was such a skillful manipulator. So I toughed it out. I got my education (BA in Communications and a Paralegal Certificate) and kept myself sane reading everything I could find on the subject of abuse (Narcissism is the newest addition to my understanding) My goal was to survive (and I did!) Now my goal is to heal, thrive, and never look back! Also, no more intimate relationships (track record lousy) Decided I would immerse myself in serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and keep very busy. Although old now (57) I have plans for the future that are happy, and joyous and do not include abuse or narcissists! I can spot an abuser or a narcissist at 500 paces thank you very much. Wish I had learned this as a younger person, could have saved myself a lot of grief. Never-the-less the best part is that these peoples’ behavior is not my fault.
If you have the strength and the willingness to enter into a protracted battle, the strong response may be the right thing. Just remember that there will be a price to pay . . . and the narcissist can be very, very nasty. They hate boundaries and will hate that you have tried to put one up. If you are hurt or destroyed in their process of tearing down your boundary, they don’t care. They just cannot allow you to be right and themselves to be wrong.
My N’s only means of arguing is to get personal. His main argument is to call me hateful; because he knows it really pushes my buttons.
He calls me stupid b* behind my back and does hjs best to get our children on his side….as if there should be sides. It’s his way of gaining control over me.
Unfortunately, our children are now older and refuse to be manipulated in that way.
I am also learning just what you talk about in this post…not argue at all. In fact, when I took him to task recently for some extremely bad treatment of his daughter, he immediately pulled the “you’re being hateful” crap….I simply said, you can say that all you want to me….it doesn’t make it true. In fact, I know from many other people in my life that I am a very loving person.
Then I just shut up and left him sitting with his mouth open.
:::sigh:::
I have a long way to go in the learning department…..
Sue, you walk a hard path. More and more I have great appreciation for those who live with these folks. I wish I could help more. I am grateful for this way of speaking truth and giving people permission to identify what they are dealing with. A surprising number of people, mostly wives, have written to me directly and I pray for them.
Thanks for your testimony. Someone is reading it and is blessed to know that there are people who understand.
pray for me I am in the middle of the nasty divorce of maybe one of the biggest narcissist ever born in US, but do I am crazy he is my husband and I love him and I miss him. Please help me pray for me.
I’ll pray for you, Gloria. Peace.
Oh, Gloria, I will be praying for you. I would never claim to know what you are feeling, but I understand how you could be confused, frightened, lonely, and so much more. The twisted emotions of the victim are part of the backtrail of the narcissist. Please trust that the Lord knows you, values you, and loves you through all of this. Feel free to write to me anytime.
Paula I pray for you also. I trust that God provides a good lawyer and counsellor and special friends to help you through these dark days. Know that your heavenly Father is the one who got you safe and will keep you safe. I never thought it would get better but it does, albeit slowly, but each day is a new one. Literally take each moment as it comes. Imagine the Fathers loving arms holding you closely, feel Him and nestle inside them. I found a visual of Jesus holding me as a small child and smiling His love at me as He tenderly holds me, to be the secret of that moment to moment comfort. The heavenly love was the only love that could replace the “love lies” of the ex. Once I got in touch with that again I was on my way back. Let it take it’s time. He will provide your every need. You will have many prayers. Hold onto that.
My wife has these traits, I think she got it from being a middle child to a humble narcissit mother. Before realising this as the issue, I would get so angry when I felt hurt or misstreated by her, and she would use this against me, gettimg more dissmissive as my anger got worse.. I’ve never figured out how to not get angry, and how to solve the eventual frozen home environment after such an argument. Obviously she has never in our history together tried to resolve any niggles between us.
Any ideas?
Wesley,
I appreciate your note. I particularly appreciate your words, “a humble narcissist,” in reference to your mother-in-law. Many people believe that all narcissists are loud and obnoxious, but some (we call them covert) are gracious and humble, still for the purpose of self-protection and promotion.
Because narcissism is a learned behavior, your wife could easily have learned certain techniques at home. I have some thoughts and you can take them or leave them. First, when she says or does something mean to you, she may not even realize that she is doing it. Narcissists have extreme difficulty understanding the pain of others. When you tell her that she hurt you, she may dismiss your words simply because she doesn’t accept them as valid. “After all,” she may reason, “I wasn’t trying to hurt him. I was just making a statement.”
For example: she says, “That was a stupid decision!” She may not be calling you stupid. And maybe she is calling you stupid, but she doesn’t think of it as offensive. You should simply be willing to accept her judgment of you and the situation, she thinks.
Now, it is difficult to live with such an insensitive and mean person, that’s for sure. But if you can tell yourself that it is her insensitivity, probably based on the way she grew up, you can relieve yourself of some of the anger. Yes, the statement still hurts, but since it is coming from an insensitive person, you are free to let it go. You don’t have to accept her judgment. You don’t have to agree. Just ignore it, as best you can. No argument, because she will never see your point and because you will never win. If you argue, it will be your fault and yours to fix, according to her. So decide not to argue about her mean statements or actions.
As I read this, it seems very simplistic. I don’t live in your shoes, so I can’t know the extent of your struggle. At the same time, I offer this as an idea. I pray that it helps. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts.
I always knew I was in a losing battle with the narcissist in my life when he would sit there “as if” he were listening, only to hear him say, “Uh-huh” in such a dismissive tone that I knew he had zero interest in understanding where my words came from. He was VERY good at repeating word-for-word what I had said, but had no ability to empathize, only criticize. And it was the little conversations like when I would come home and complain about my boss. Instead of saying, “Oh, Baby, I’m sorry that happened. he’s an asshole.” He’d say, “Well, what did you do to cause him to do that?” Really?? That’s not being supportive when the situation calls for unconditional love and support. But I was always supposed to agree that so-and-so was an asshole and didn’t deserve his respect. If I didn’t, it meant I didn’t love and respect him. One-sided…ALWAYS!!!
My ex narcissist never agreed with anything I ever said or any of my opinions. Only time he agreed was in the initial stages of the relationship when he was charming me. But as time moved on, all of my ideas were suddenly “flawed” or “stupid”. He would actually call my ideas stupid and then counter the ideas with his own which of course in his mind were superior to mine. I am a very strong person, strong in my beliefs and will stand up for my self. I also respect someone elses opinion even if I dont agree with them. After I terminated this relationship my esteem was in the gutter and I questioned every aspect about myself. Like the person who wrote above….everything was “one sided…..ALWAYS” and this was always his side. Yet, he would tell me that it seemed to always have to be my way. Well, yes it would if what he wanted me to do went agains my integrity. What mind games he played and I tell you that Im glad Im no longer in that relationship although I still miss him everyday and yes I still do love him. But Im not going back in the fire.
Hi; I am so sorry for all of us that have to go to this painful treatment from Narcissist people. I myself are going to a divorce and is getting ugly. I always thought that my husband was a bipolar because he does twist everything in others words this like projection he use to get his way. I am in a very painful emotional situation because I do love my husband and I miss him, (sounds crazy) well I can not lie. I am just asking God if He will please give peace and one day I be heal and able to let go this love.I also want prayers for my husband he does manipulate always (4marriages) saying that he is going to commit suicide, I don’t think he will, but I still worry because I love him and don’t want nothing wrong to happen to him, because he is not all there and I am praying to God to bring him back first to God and then if God will to me.
Gloria, you’re a good person to seek help for him. That takes strength, also. I envy that. I have a much harder time feeling like the narcissistic from my past deserves forgiveness because he also abused my son. It’s easier to look beyond the abuse he inflicted on me, but it’s much harder to dig as deep as I need to in order to forgive the pain he caused my child. I’m getting closer to that point. Very soon, I hope.
I think the perfect love push fear and I have been in prayers for more than 2 years (day and night) for my loved husband. He is suffering not only this demonic disorder that is been a narcissist, but also suffering from the bipolar disorder which is taking over his life. He is almost dead since he is not looking forward to live always talking about suicide. I love my husband and I know he abuse me and I suffer, but really they are the victims, victims of the biggest enemy Satan. We as believers need to-even if we go on in life without them-forgive, love from the distance and pray for this people that really are also suffering like their victims. I think life is about forgiving and asking God for new directions, but always remember forgiving is the key .
Gloria, I think you are correct. They are suffering and need guidance and forgiveness. In my case, the narcissist from my life just wants to continue to deny his abuse and seek more victims. I do not pray for him. I pray for myself because I need to forget the abuse so I am not angry any more. God will help My X if and when he asks for it. Until then, he will continue to suffer and hurt others, I believe, but I can no longer worry about him or his potential victims. I continue to share my story and support women in whatever stage they are in with their abuser. That is my focus. So many people suffer everyday and know the cause and ask for help. I want to help those when and if I can. Your husband sounds like he recognizes his issues and deserves your love if he can accept it without conditions or without hurting you more. I sense your pain and sadness. Keep praying as you do but protect yourself, too. 🙂
Wow! Thanks to Kitty, Gloria, and Paula for your great comments. With my increased personal correspondence and writing, I am not able to respond to these comments as quickly as I would like. I appreciate the surrport you are giving to each other.
Three things: Kitty, you mentioned that your esteem was “in the gutter.” That, of course, is part of the plan. Downtrodden people are easier to control. The constant criticism and disagreement wears down even the strongest person. The narcissist does this without even thinking about it. It is what he does.
Second, forgiveness and kindness and those important things come out of who we are, rather than who they are. It is important to deal with the anger and bitterness that comes from a relationship like this. Otherwise, they continue to control and hurt you long after they are gone. It isn’t easy, though, and the continuing pain of the abuse is a reminder of where you were in contrast to where you are.
Finally, I would appreciate knowing what each of you think about tomorrow’s post. Several people have told me that they continue to love their narcissist and are somewhat puzzled about those feelings. There are reasons for this. I hope that what I have written is gentle as well as firm. Your comments would be much appreciated!
It is actually possible to “Win” an argument with a narcissist, however:
1: There is not much point, as you will not gain anything by doing so. He/she (mine is a she!) will invent a new way of approaching the subject by the time it comes up again, so you will lose it retrospectively, or they will remember the event so differently in the future it may as well never have happened.
2: The consequences you will be subjected to as a result of humiliating them so badly (winning an argument) will by a factor of many outweigh any minor feelings of self satisfaction you feel.
So unless it is your parting shot – I would not recommend it!
Hi Jonathan,
After 32 years I realized I would never win, that the thought of winning was absurd, and that it didn’t really matter anymore anyway. What did matter was my sanity, self-respect, and joy for living, and seeing a positive future for myself. I finally let go and let God take over and deal with him because I certainly wasn’t helping him or myself by staying, and he had ruined enough of my days to know that it would only get worse. Today I am healing. Thank God for my animals as they are a balm to my soul.
Hi All:
Adrienne: I am wondering if now, when you look back, you think that it was the best choice to stay with him for 32 years for the children. I have three children and two of them are very young, 1 and 3 and I am not sure if it would be better for me to stay with my husband for the children or get a divorce. I am worried also if that would work at all as I am afraid of him using the children to “punish” me and that would affect them more than me enduring living with him. Do your children grew up fine living with their dad being a narcissist? Do they blame you after they are grown. I have to make a decision but I am so confused about what would be best for the children. I am also, concerned about how he will react if I divorce him in regards to the finances. In my efforts to try to please his demands in the past, I co-signed for so many loans for him and now I have so much debt and I am afraid that he will get angry at me and leave me with all the debts.
Overall, my concern is that he harms the children emotionally trying to harm me. I wish that I could go with NO CONTACT, but as we have children together, I don’t see how I can do it. Also, I feel that the children have the right to have their dad around.
Please, your reply when you get the chance will be much appreciated.
Dolphin
A spiritual struggle for sure. It’s all I can do to not hate the narcissists’ slimy guts. The narcs play the poor-me card and act like they’re the only ones who’ve had some rough times. The self-centered sacks of crap. And yet as a follower of the Lord I am supposed to pray for them. Talk about tough going.
Hi Susan,
As a survivor of abuse and now narcissism I see it for what it really is. Too bad it only took 32 years to finally figure out that it wasn’t me.I agree, the ‘poor me’ ‘woe is me’ especially in a man (especially one who has caused so much grief and pain) is hard to wrap my head around. When I finally accepted it and realized truly that he had a mental disorder it made it a lot easier to bear. I do not live with him anymore (separated for 3 years now) and I can handle it in small (very small) doses, but no interest in trying to make it work as husband and wife. As I walked out the door this last time I really did feel bad for him, I was the last person in his life who cared.
no matter what you do to try and help them in the Love of Christ
They have willfully chosen evil as there way of life and believe they to have been called by God to render punishments and judgement here on earth. Free will given to all to be who they want to be without accountability.
My N is also a sex addict. When setting boundries with him for my own selfcare & sanity he will begin to point blame in my direction. If that does not work because I tell him how this behavior makes me feel and refuse to argue he will ALWAYS respond with “me too”…wether it pertains to him or not. Zero empathy for anyone but himself. He is always the victim no matter what he has done. He is in counseling & has even started meds but nothing works. Counseling seems to just keep him focused on all of the wrongs done to him in childhood. He relives it through interactons with me. Somehow I must learn to survive. But how? Genuine needs are never met and the loneliness is making me ill. Do N’s ever get well? I am contemplating leaving him. If I do, he will say I told you so. You were always going to leave me. There is nothing I can do but die inside every day. He is cruel and nobody believes me. I cry out to God for his healing but am loosing faith.
Jen. I so understand, but he is right, You will eventually wise up and leave. So allow him to be right in this instance. You deserve that, He is already dead inside and that’s their purpose, to make us feel what they feel, but instead, it gives them supply. Be Well and Love YOURSSELf
“He is cruel and nobody believes me.” How I resonate with that, sister! I have lost everyone and everything that ever meant anything to me because of a trusting that manipulative piece of work. And yet he preaches from a pulpit regularly. He was having a secret emotional relationship with another woman and denied every single time I picked up on something and asked him point blank about it. When he left, he left without a word and then blocked me as if I was the culprit. I can feel my life slipping away. My heart is in a million pieces. All he ever cared about was his reputation and “looking good”. He had to trample me down to do it. And the truth is, he has no regrets, I’m sure. You give a narc the best years of your life and all they leave you is heartbroken, shattered, and doubting God’s love for you because He didn’t protect you from this wolf in sheep’s clothing in the first place.
Hi Jen, Here’s how I survived 32 years of this hell. Probably 20 years ago I stopped the physical abuse by going to court and filing a restraining order against him. I did it for his own good. If he continued to beat me up I was going to hurt him and I didn’t want to do that. So the physical abuse stopped, but the verbal and mental abuse continued. I decided to go on with my life anyway and continued my education. I found out that I wasn’t the lowlife he said I was because through the experience of higher education I learned that I was in fact, smart, witty, and had great leadership skills. I realized at that time it was not me, it was him. My goal then became to survive it and make the best of it until the kids were grown. If he would change and actually be a husband I would have modified this goal, but he didn’t. After 32 years, the last 3 we have been separated because he left (he says I kicked him out-Nope I begged him to stay but he wouldn’t do it) I am finally free to live my life on my terms, with joy in mind. If I can do it, you can too. Hugs.
Hi, Jen~welcome to this site where many of us have found a refuge & a safe place. I am so sorry you are in such pain. It is late evening where I live, & I want to respond to you but have some questions, too. When you say “sex addict”, does this involve porn? Other women (or men)? affairs? excessive sex in marriage, degrading or humiliating sex? If the answer[s] are yes, then in my mind, he has been unfaithful to you. That might be a place to start when contemplating your situation. Marriage is not about “learning to survive”, and he seems too self-absorbed to care. Are you safe? Do you have anywhere else to go? do you have a counsellor for yourself? a trusted friend? is there a shelter nearby? I want to write more, but need to pray…and to sleep. Please take some time to ponder my questions, take care of yourself first, and be safe. Please be safe. and I will check back tomorrow. Praying…..
I have learned a lot here. The fact that this person knows I was a foster kid. She really blew my mind away when she said what she said. She did ATTACK. Then, she told me about the wonderful family that she has. I felt my chest fall to my stomach.
I am grateful for this site. Thanks for listening.
Argue? They will argue with the wall and are the most stubborn, dual minded, unforgiving, rule changing, self absorbed, confusion making, possible unknowingly, people I have encountered. Unconditional love? Respect? Mutual relationship? Understanding? empathetic? It is a fight to just have your basic human needs met in these relationships and in turn creates in you someone your not!!!! That in itself is disturbing enough to step away, pray for ourselves and the well being of them, and let go. I read of physical abuse and infidelity and that is just it let alone the emotional abuse that has slowly been intertwined into this once happy, exciting, hope filled relationship that traps our hearts and minds into a never ending cycle of abuse until we realize who made us and why we are here. Love does not hurt, love does not feel like this…..it is not love.
I learnt this the hard way. And for a while there, I had started to doubt my own character even though I have lived with myself (and other normal people) for 30+ years and should have known better and believe in what I know of myself more. But there’s just something about the way a narcissist argues that gets under your skin and leaves it crawling with confusion and uncertainty about your own perception of things.
I remember when I first met my ex-narc (I finally gathered the nerve to leave him a couple of days ago) he said something to me that struck me as odd but I wilfully dismissed because everything was going so well… He said to me, “I’ve been told I fight dirty in arguments.” That, right there, should have been my cue~ that and a poem he wrote me after his first display of narcissistic rage on the first night he took me out for a formal dinner and I had the gall to tell him (after he’d harped on for a significant amount of time) that I hadn’t dressed up and come out to dinner to listen to him give a detailed account of what was wrong with his ex.
He left the table in a barely controlled rage, was gone for about 10min during which he says he was “catching a smoke to calm his rage”. Later, he wrote me a poem about the incident, talking about my “petty jealousy that had marred the picture of perfection” he had of me. He talked about “black rage filling his lungs as he inhaled the smoke”, he talked about “I hated you for not being perfect, but then I hugged the hate to myself and loved you more.”
How does that even make sense?! But even more importantly, why did I ignore the warning bells that went off when this happened? What does it say about me? That’s where my journey of recovery begins. I’m not even trying to understand why anyone can be as messed up as the Npd is. I’ve read enough material on them over the last few weeks to understand that “why” is not a question that can ever be answered in any satisfactory way when it comes to narcs. “Why” is not a question with any significant meaning when you’re living in a mental and emotional hell specifically engineered to cause you the most pain/distress. No. I’m not wasting one more minute trying to understand “why they are so ‘twisted'”, but I will take all the time I have to understand me and why I was so taken in by this person. Why I ignored the red flags. Why I gave him 9 months of my time. And why eventually I said enough and called it quits.
I know it’s only been 2 days, so I’m taking it one day at a time.
Wish me luck.
Song of Savannah….. feel blessed that you saw the signs and only wasted 9 months of your time. This Narc obviously is a very dangerous Narc. The fact that he couldn’t hold it together for very long just shows how dangerous he is. Many of us are manipulated and sweet talked for many more months…. often not ‘losing it’ until after we are married. In hind sight we can all say… Oh I saw that! When we look in ‘hindsight’ we are piecing it all together. At the time of each incident it was only one incident so our eyes aren’t yet opened wide to their behaviour. We don’t put the whole picture together until later when we try to make sense of it all. They usually target sweet and forgiving types… the tactics he used didn’t work to keep you there for any longer than 9 months….. When a friend said “You were very brave to get out within 3 years…. I couldn’t believe I’d stayed…. but now realise it did take courage to walk away from a short marriage (2yrs and 9 mths). Yes I felt a failure, depressed, anxious…. everything…. but now I have come to realise that I was indeed very courageous to get out in such a short time. So well done to you for seeing the light and ending it early. The why’s are very hard to answer. How can we every understand this sort of evil behaviour? I found that this site and others help to put the picture together for us. It isn’t our fault in any way. If we stick up for ourselves in an assertive and non aggressive way, they twist it around to blame us to try and make us feel guilty…. and they succeed…. they are working on our self-esteem and building theirs up. They twist everything that we say and also that others say…. always to their own advantage. They will argue that we are liars…. mine started to make out that I was having memory loss (he learned about memory loss because I worked with Dementia clients and family). Whatever knowledge they gain they use it to gain sympathy for themselves or use it in the arsenal to make us look bad, sick, mentally ill, psychologically damaged. I learned the true meaning of denial (theirs) and projection (onto us). They must be so exhausted by the end of the day with the stress of keeping it all together, remembering their lies. They do it. They do it well. Eventually they can’t keep it together and start to trip up on their lies. When we call them out on it they can turn violent (mine did). So….. bless you ‘Song of Savannah’ that you saw the light and ended it early. Be encouraged….. you have such amazing courage …. to defend yourself AND to end it. Continue to learn and understand…. you will be surprised how you will be able to tell others about the warning signs. Well done. As the song says “I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!” P.S. Do not let him manipulate you to go back. I was. I attended couple counselling with him…. ended it after four months. He manipulated the counsellor and went to work on me. Because I had been away from him for 6 months my eyes were opened. I stopped and I went NO CONTACT and haven’t looked back. It was hard…. therapy, good friends, my faith (which I nearly lost), divorce, resigning from work, moving away… very hard but the only way to survive when you do leave …. NO CONTACT…. gets you sane and safe. I wish you all the best in the world. Take care of you. Seek support from those who care and understand and do not judge. See a counsellor if you can. Know that everyone on this site is a supporter and we care about each other. Bless you.
Annie, The NO CONTACT is the answer, but it will be very hard. I know I am at the beginning of this journey of boundary setting because these people do not recognize boundaries, and they take great pleasure in breaking them down. I know as I stand my ground things will intensify and get ugly. I have been dealing wit this situation for almost 32 years. We have not lived together for 3 years so the contact has been minimal, now the kids are grown and I’m cutting it off completely- that was my goal for years so I bide my time. I understand that he will throw a temper tantrum magnified 100 x’s over when he realizes I am just done.
Thank you all for this insight, I had so many questions, my struggle lasted almost 2 years, I seriously believed it was all my fault, he always reminds me of my flaws and never allows me to forget what they are, and my eyes are open now.
My only question to all is, can a Narc be healed?
And how….
This would be correct.
Just as arguing with the Devil is pointless? There is a parallel. Unfortunately.
Im living with a true narcissist…I’ve never ever in my whole life have been treated so horribly!! I’ve been with some mean men..but this guy makes them look like kittens!! This guy has broke my nose twice…and has beat in on me..but im gettin to the point where I can’t stand being around this horriable person…He has me isolated..my family and friends live on the other side of the USA.
I’m so relieved I’m not the one going mad in this horrendous relationship, which I have left numerous times…throughout 2yrs.
My beginning was a dream, I met my split apart…my twin, I could share my life and secrets with. I would have married this man in a heart beat 🙂
I shared everything about me and my family.
It was just before Christmas and believed Santa had bought me the bestest present I could wish for.
It took 6 weeks, a night on alcohol and dancing….We was out with my elder daughter and her partner.
I decided the music wasn’t that great, and opted to go across the street to a venue that had an amazing band.
Bad decision on my behalf, How dare I change the plan, he refused to stand in my company and continued to drink alone.
The verbal attack was appalling in front of the kids, and bystanders.
It continued hours, then he tried to get support from the kids saying he was right.
That was the very first time I noted an altered personality trait.
But during conversations I had discovered that everything I mentioned was always steamrolled by his past and beliefs.
This was a true Cristian a man of the church????
It has taken me 2 yrs to discover that he is a Narcasist, I kept telling myself I should be more thoughtful, more supportive. My list of attempts to try and put this puzzle together in my own head lead me to calling a very important person his Ex…
(Come on, how can I betray him by doing this?)
The 3rd wife, well I opened a can of worms.
I asked her to please describe this persons personality.
Well she pretty much wrote the last chapter of my book, “The End”
Her last words were run as fast as you can, run far away, get out now.
Do not attempt to try and work it out any longer.
The lies are endless, the twists in stories, the family is ruined he has ran to all his family and friends and blamed my daughter for our problems. She calls my phone I get the silent treatment, I get personal text messages… I’m ask is your phone that important?
I thought it was all to do with control and jealousy.
No it’s much much more than that, he is not considered important if my attention is needed else where.
He lives by setting me rules, but the flip side is he has a different rule set for himself, the excuses for his own needs are far much greater than mine.
Just when I think I’ve worked out all the rules, it changes by him again.
My wings are clipped, I live in a cage… I am no longer a butterfly to flutter around my home, my children, my family or friends.
I am doing time for no crime, the only crime I ever committed was allowing this man through my front door into my heart.
My neighbours must think so bad of us as he has no control over his rage when hurling abuse.
The other day, I told him I live with no regrets of choosing to end the disgusting relationship as I wish him dead.
Never in my life have I ever used those words, Yes I apologised, but now I know he knows it’s over.
By the way, I won’t mention all the other women that have been visited behind my back. Narcasists are know for cheating as they don’t need the sex just the company of filling someone else’s mind with rubbish and self pity.
We wasted money on counselling, as still he believed the lady was saying that I was wrong.
Shall I mention, I actually found her in tears over my tears of how hard I cried due to him trying to get me to remove my daughter from my life….
My cat was not allowed to live with us, nore my dog.
I need permission to even breathe.
It’s a ticking time bomb in this home…but not for much longer…
I am strong and have a plan, never ever to return.
My eyes are wide open, I will not live with fear anymore.
I desire a life too.
My heart goes on and out to all those suffering this crippling disease.
You could certainly see your skills in the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Thank you ! This is so true ! My husband is one and it is extremely difficult !