Linda* was elbow deep in dishes afterdinnerwhen she heard the sound of her cat hacking up a hairball.
It was only when I broke down and apologized that he started to talk to me again.
“But when I heard the words from the therapist …
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I just felt relieved.”
Dating a narcissist can be a confusing, miserable experience that slowly erodes a person’s sense of self-worth.
The first seeds of narcissism are sewn in infancy, Raymond says.
Being focused on your immediate needs and wants is normal at this stage.
Hazel*, 28, tells SELF of when she first noticed her boyfriends grandiosity.
Alexander the Great and Napoleon had conquered worlds by my age.'"
The findings suggest there are two different dimensions of narcissism, and they can affect relationships differently over time.
Linda experienced both of these extremes.
After yet another argument, I called my friend to uninvite her.
His haughty behavior and exaggerated sense of self-importance are classic signs of NPD, our experts say.
When Jamies husband was diagnosed with narcissism, she felt awash with relief.
My jaw was on the floor, having never experienced such bizarre drama.
He continued to berate me the entire time I got ready, telling me how disrespectful I was.
Linda, Jamie, and Hazel have all walked away from their narcissistic relationships.
Its easy to see why.
But shocking as these womens tales may be, their experiences with mates diagnosed with NPD arent exactly unique.
You would feel alone and devalued.
That doesnt mean every relationship with a person with NPD is doomed.
Andtherapyis exactly what someone with NPD would require to be in a functional relationship.
Without professional help, they might not have a chance.
But they are often apparent, Linda says, if you really look for them.
Listen to your gut and the indicators that are in front of you.
If something seems off, it probably is.
*Names have been changed.
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