OUR FAVORITES/THE PATH FORWARD

OUR FAVORITES/THE PATH FORWARD
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The purpose of this forum is to gather all of our favorite articles, topics and recovery tools in one place. By doing this, we make it easy for newcomers to learn the most pertinent information on narcissists right away.

We know better than anyone what type of information is most helpful to those just beginning to understand the narcissist in their life.

Please contribute and post your favorite articles/links/songs/movies/recovery tools so that others can quickly access the collective wisdom we have here!

Knowledge is Power!

xoxo,
L

PLEASE provide the LINK to your source, and these are the favorites of the individual member, we neither endorse nor oppose these sites. They are simply the favorites of that particular poster.

Thanks,
Goldie

ORDER: LIsa E. Scotts Book, THE PATH FORWARD

http://www.mcssl.com/SecureCart/ViewCart.aspx?mid=3E95CABF-79F8-40E8-A6F...

Schedule a ONE ON ONE with Goldie or Join our SUPPORT GROUP

http://www.lisaescott.com/blog/goldie

goldie's picture

LINK TO ORDER LISA E. SCOTT'S BOOK; THE PATH FORWARD

Our site and program here is based on The Path Forward. To order your own copy, please follow the link provided below. Reading the book will help you to better understand the Narcissist and the Steps we follow to heal and recover from the devastating affects of our relationship with a Narcissist.

http://www.mcssl.com/SecureCart/ViewCart.aspx?mid=3E95CABF-79F8-40E8-A6F...

The best gift you ever gave yourself, the gift of getting yourself and life back.

goldie's picture

How to schedule a ONE ON ONE with Goldie

Please order your session through the following link right here on the site or you are welcome to order it through my email if you need a generic receipt, it will say nothing aside from my email.

Here on the site: http://www.lisaescott.com/blog/goldie

Blank receipt: go to paypal and pay through my email goldierocks@me.com

To join our Support Group please order through the following link: http://www.lisaescott.com/blog/goldie

Once you have ordered your ONE ON ONE or the GROUP SUPPORT SESSIONS, please PM me with your time zone and availabilty and we will set up the one on one. I will at that time provide you with my call in phone number or if you have a Skype account you may dial in through that account directly to my phone number which will be provided for you.

The session lasts at least 1 hour and we will work through what is concerning you the most at this time. Everything discussed between us is completely confidential.

Please feel free to PM or email me at anytime with your questions or concerns.

goldie's picture

THE BLOGS ON THE PATH FORWARD

These blogs are filled with information regarding all aspects of a relationship with a Narcissist:

LISA'S BLOG
http://www.lisaescott.com/blog

GOLDIE'S BLOG
http://www.lisaescott.com/blog/goldie

THE MOD SQUAD BLOG
http://www.lisaescott.com/blog/mods

God bless,
Goldie

dangeroustonight's picture

Narc Songs

I found a few N songs I wanted to share, hope it's ok to post here...

Danzig "devils plaything"

Love is a flame
A devil's thing
A violent storm
About to be born
Just look in these eyes
See all the lies
All the things you see
You cannot deny

And this flame
That burns inside
If you get too close
Burn you alive
Just look in these eyes
And see if they lie
All these words I speak
You cannot deny

Got a light
Shines on me
Gentle light
It will never be
See the flame
In my hand
If you're playing with fire
You're playing in hell

Devil's plaything
In my hands
If you don't want pain
You don't understand
Got a light
Shines on me
If you wanna touch flames
Come unto me

Got a flame
Burns inside
If you don't wanna burn
Just walk on by
And the pain
You're feeling now
Is nothing compared
To the pleasures I hide

Got a flame
In my hand
If you don't want a fire
Step out of my light
Walk on by
Just look away
'cause if you're on my path
You're better off dead.

VAIN "1,000 degrees"

Two bodies lying naked
Is it you and me
Flash warning a sexual preview
Of what you can do to me

You hear voices in your head
It's me I'm calling you
You hear voices in your bed
It's me I'm calling you back

(chorus)
Feel the fever of a 1000 degrees
I wanna touch you
Feel the fever of a 1000 degrees
I wanna touch you
Touch you...

Eye to eye cheek to cheek
Feel the thrills in my satin sheets
Had your pleasure now here's your pain
Now the nights seem to drive you insane

You hear voices in your head
It's me I'm calling you
You hear voices in your bed
It's me I'm calling you
It's me I'm calling you back

It's not that far away
You see the visions of your past.

Backyard Babies "Be myself and I"

I'm a coward, I'm a whore
I'm not a problem to ignore
Guess it all will change someday
I will fight to find a way
I'm a freak and I'm a c*nt
I'm not proud of all my stunts
I'm more tired than it seems
But I will fulfill my dreams

I got no feelings, I don't love you
You see, everyday I'm gonna burn you
You don't need someone new to break you
Leave while you can or I will make you

I am weak and you are strong
Never ask what I'll become
I got reasons that is wrong
No way you can't come along
Never left what I believe
Even though what I received
Thinking evil minds are pure
Someday I'll walk out through that door

So you think you can recover
From what you'll discover
I think when you'll become a problem
I will run for cover
I got bad intentions baby
But I got good obsessions now

WASP "love machine"

Lady, have you known me? The
Perfect love machine. I’m
Virgo my Leo’s rising,
Venus made me king.
That chain of broken hearts -
They all belong to me.
Magic runs through my fingers,
One touch - you'll see!

L.O.V.E.
All I need’s my love machine, oh
L.O.V.E.
All I need’s my love machine, oh
L.O.V.E.
All I need’s my love machine, oh
L.O.V.E.
All I need’s my love machine tonight!
Tonight!

What can I do for you? Am
I your wildest dream?
What do I move in you? Am
I what I seem?
My eyes they lie and you cry,
Love brings you pain!
And if you try to love me,
You'll not be the same

Megadeth "trust"

Lost in a dream
Nothing is what it seems
Searching my head
For the words that you said

Tears filled my eyes
As we said our last goodbyes
This sad scene replays
Of you walking away

My body aches from mistakes
Betrayed by lust
We lied to each other so much
That in nothing we trust

Time and again,
She repeats let's be friends
I smile and say yes
Another truth bends,
I must confess

I try to let go, but I know
We'll never end 'til we're dust
We lied to each other again
But I wish I could trust

My body aches from mistakes
Betrayed by lust
We lied to each other so much
That in nothing we trust

God help me please, on my knees
Betrayed by lust
We lied to each other so much
That in nothing we trust

How could this be happening to me
I'm lying when I say "Trust me"
I can't believe this is true
Trust hurts
Why does trust equal suffering.

talktothehand's picture

Life's What You Make It

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXsmyLtpxlA

Love this track and wanted to share.

Janie53's picture

Stop Trying to be Perfect!

We are enough just as we are:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/11/01/give.up.perfection/index.html

Stay true to you!
Janie

fearlessfemale's picture

Postive blog

http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2009/02/20/how-to-build-self-con...

I do agree with the statement above...so very true!
I used to be super confident and rebuilding this wonderful "accessory" right now.

Many, I imagine, after being through their experience with a narcissist have most likely taken a beaten in the area of self-confidence. I know my own confidence level was shot!

The link above may be a helpful tool for those who want to rebuild and reclaim their confidence. If I may, just thought I would share.

-fearlessfemale

goldie's picture

Love this song.....

http://www.georgeharrison.com/song/who-can-see-it

The entire CD is GREAT, excellent RECOVERY MUSIC to listen to, feeds the brain a message of peace and recovery.

xoxox,
Goldie

Jenna H's picture

It's a new year and this is a must read - Love Jenna H

http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/12/19/12-big-mistakes-you-made-this-year/

January 7, 2013 - 6:59pm — onwithmylife

love it thanks for sharing I joined the site!

Really liked this - thanks
January 6, 2013 - 11:40am — trustnomore

Really liked this - thanks for sharing!

What a cool site
January 5, 2013 - 3:06pm — shock and awe.some

I'm saving it in my folder & plan on reading more of the articles. Thanks for sharing.

Amazing!
January 4, 2013 - 3:14am — cassia

Really enjoyed this article, and am going to give it further consideration!

Thanks, Jenna : ))))

Cassia Xx

Thanks for sharing this!
January 3, 2013 - 10:04pm — done as dinner

A lot of wisdom to ponder.

A good timely article
January 4, 2013 - 6:09am — Snowflake

for the new year, I really enjoyed..and def one to reread again and again..and stick in front of diary, those that are old/not up to technology like me and have a paper diary still :

pamsjustbeachy's picture

Thanks great site !!!!

Great site much help thanks

singchick's picture

Article on Divorcing a Narc

Great article on Divorcing a narcissist

http://suite101.com/article/divorcing-a-narcissist-a189654

stillnotsure's picture

marcandangel

I love marcandangel! I get the emails, they are very positive and enlightening.

Liberated2Aspire's picture

Same Script...Different Cast

Here's a Whitney Houston/Deborah Cox song about two women and the Narc they share.

What a cleverly written song and it says exactly what we speak on this website. I didn't see it in favorites and don't know if we can deem it as favorites. Lyrics are below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVh0_DQtwyU

Inthedark's picture

Thank you

Loved it thank you x

beautifulmess's picture

Books?

Good narc books?

I bought myself a kindle. I am reading Sam Vaknin. I also bought Web of Lies, a true story. I saw a book called Narcissists Exposed, was wondering if anyone has read it? Any other recommendations?

when he is married to mom by Kenneth Adams and a great one by Linda Martinez Lewi cannot remember the name and she has a website if you google her name,a psychologist who has studied narcs for many years.

— kollontai7
Trapped in the Mirror, by Elan Golomb is also a great book. It looks at the effect that having a Narcissistic parent has on the child's psychology. Excellent if you have FOO issues that brought you here.

Darlene

You have read Lisa's book, haven't you??

Not-this-time's picture

NC link

Hello Friends!

'hope this helps about maintaining NC:

http://bnarcissisticabuserecovery.runboard.com/t20511

Hugs to all and belated Happy New Year!

loveisallthereis's picture

Great Book

Toads and the Women that Kiss them. Its helping me out a lot right now on my new journey to a better life and maintaining NO contact.

ForeverFreedom's picture

Faith Boards

Faith Boards
For me, this site is about learning, processing, sharing to help my self and others, and creating a wonderful healthy happy life after cleaning up the mess and clearing out the rubble left behind from a past with an N.

Many of you are hurting very badly right now, especially around the holidays with all the extra nonsense & hoovering that goes on. Have faith.

HAVE FAITH.

During the most intense times (years) I would tell myself -- just make it to x date. Make it to summer. Make it through custody mediation. Make it to the divorce.

I want to share that life DOES definitely get so much better.

My child is away with the N and his new wife. Though typing that does twinge my heart - I am not sad. I prayed for the day when being apart from my child would not SUCK -- sometimes I felt like I was DYING - I would wait out the time in misery. Not to dwell on that. Just to say that I have experienced great pain -- and I held out hope -- blind faith at times --

and the days came when it didn't suck mightily. When it was mild. When I noticed, that life was good. And now - it is Christmastime and I am not suffering at the hand of the N after a decade of suffering.

Hallelujah.

So, I personally am looking towards New Years Resolutions. Last year this time, I didn't care about resolutions. I was surviving. This year, I am peaceful and creating a new life for myself is experienced as a Joy.

Here is a link for an inspiring guide towards making a new life that was posted on this site3 years ago. I am making use of this on Pinterest. I have created an account that is anonymous -- no N can find me and stalk me through it. Words and pictures and articles that inspire me to become who I want to be & to reclaim the joy and power I had before....

http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/12/30/agnesmurphy-goal-setting

Blessings to all of you -- especially those who I imagine are just like I was a few years ago -- cringing through your life, hunched over a computer, searching for answers, scared, wondering what to do, speaking to your friends about divorce in hushed tones, surviving yet another ruined holiday, enduring the screaming fits, the rants, trying to pull it together to throw a party, to give your child a semblance of normalcy and a happy childhood. -- I've been there, and if you have found this site, what a lucky person you are. Hang on. Have faith. Get out. You will be just fine, sweetheart.

I PROMISE.

kollontai77's picture

Overcoming Addictions

Here's a link to the amazing buddhist monk Ajahn Brahm and his talks.

http://brahmstalks.wordpress.com/2003-2/

Down the page there is a talk on "Overcoming Addictions and Obsessions". You don't need to be a buddhist to gain benefit from listening. I particularly found his perspective on loving kindness very helpful. It's important to extend loving kindness to yourself, regardless of what you may have done, to take away the guilt and self hatred that often spurs on the addictions and obsessions in the first place.

he also reckons that overcoming addictions and obsessions is easy if you know how to do it!

FreeMe's picture

"We accept the love we think we deserve..."

How poignant?
Now that is food for thought. I read and re-read that sentence, I sat very still, letting each word sink into my head and heart...
"We accept the love we think we deserve..."
We do not deserves to be treated the way a NARC treats us. We DESERVE to love ourselves. We deserve to be valued and respected.
If my sense of self were not so damaged by my xN, I would have told the SOB to take a hike ages ago. The full loaf he offered in the beginning had dwindled down to mere crumbs now and again.
Being devalued is humiliating. I couldn't believe I was the recipient of his horrible, cold, accusitory tone.
I know I am truly trying to heal because I am letting all of the horrible truth bubble to the surface. I do not feel shame admitting any of it on this forum.
We all deserve to be loved and adored, if not by another, then by OURSELVES.

mystwoman's picture

Top Ten Reasons Narcissists Are WONDERFUL to Have Around at the

http://alexandranouri.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/top-ten-reasons-narcissis...

1.Peaceful, nourishing, enjoyable celebrations are so BORING, and thoughtful gifts are SO overrated. Give me disappointment and disillusionment ANY day.

2. His whining about not getting the gift, attention, treats, dinner, or EXACT expression of appreciation he wanted, will make any cranky children look like angelic, mature, serene and wise sophisticates in comparison.

3. Usually they don’t even bother showing up, or calling, or following through on any plans. This means you get his serving of dessert.

4. Having a narcissist in the room means he’ll be desperately sucking ALL the attention his way. NO ONE will notice if the tree is crooked or the turkey is dry.

5. Take him to the office Holiday party, and all the old workplace interpersonal tensions will be forgotten. Your colleagues will be too busy feeling sorry for you for having such a jackass in your life.

6. His laying in the Barca Lounger like a hairy, farting manatee all day means he’ll have LOTS of energy for the three minutes of intimacy he’s got in store for you tonight! Rawr!

7. You didn’t really want help with those decorations anyway. After all, you just have to take them down again in January.

8. Kids LOVE playing the “Guess How Many Half-Siblings We Have That Mommy Doesn’t Know About” game. It’s a narcissist family favorite.

9. Knowing perfectly well he’s going to passive-aggressively ruin your day, you can spend HOURS and HOURS mapping out a reverse-psychology, pre-emptive, out-do-the-narcissist manipulation strategy. Yes, it will consume all your energy and free time, and will fail anyway, but it’ll be SO worth it.

10. And finally, the answers are, “Yes.” Yes, he did pick out that lingerie for you while thinking mostly about how it will look on him. And yes, he did unwrap the store package and try it on before rewrapping it and giving it to you. Enjoy.

Hallie's picture

Bright Red Flags!

I'm new and haven't shared my story yet. I think my N is bisexual or something weird and when i read the lingerie comment I thought I'd ask for insight. My N is for sure Somatic and I've had MANY red flags on sexual things. It is a fact that he had a man watch us have sex when we were parked in the car . We Planned a day out there and this guy pulls up, he just acted like it was someone parked in their car, this happened twice, he really got off on it those days. Gave me some weird reason he had no underwear on one day with white jeans when we went out one night. A lot Of other weird things. An ad in Craigslist for a married man to meet another married man, not 100% on that but pretty sure. Is this stuff common with Somatic Ns? I ended it 3 weeks ago. So far so good, no contact at all but he was out of town until 3 days ago, we'll see if he pops up somewhere. He is really into women too and our sex was AMAZING!
Sorry if this sounds strange but it is STRANGE. And no, I don't have sex in cars all the time, he just has a way about him I'm sure you all get that one :)
Thanks so much!
Hallie

JCat's picture

OMG Number 10 has me rolling

OMG Number 10 has me rolling on the floor!

neverlookback's picture

You will get more truth with NC vs Contact

neverlookback

Truth you are searching from within yourself and truth from what the disordered relationship was really all about.

If you are searching for the answers by continual contact you wont find the truth; you will continue to live in denial and you will continue to be manipulated by his disease. I wanted to know just how big of fool he took me for when I believed the act of love he once played for me, trying to sort out the lies I once believed for 5 years; it was difficult to take all those lies and just toss them in the grave with him. I wanted to know what was real and what wasn't. Was I really once all those things he once described me as during the luring and idealization stage? Perhaps I was some of them but what matters in the end is what YOU believe to be true about yourself - and NOT the empty words of some con artist with a hidden agenda.

If you haven't got enough proof of his disorder by still remaining in contact with him - here's an idea - give NC a chance and watch all the answers come to you. You may wonder how all the answers come to you when there is nothing but silence; you must remove the source of the lie you were living with and/or involved with and you must ask yourself - What kind of person shows up in your life professing you to be everything he has always wanted, then does a vanishing act? What kind of person hoovers you and within a week, or less you receive WORSE treatment? In fact normal healthy people DONT HOOVER and/or stalk!! Whether he hoovered or did a vanishing act - MAKES NO DIFFERENCE and in the end it doesnt matter - what you are witnessing is merely an individual who puts on a mask, then takes it off. With the mask on he seems like a person right? Well serial killers are people too but that doesnt mean we invite them into our homes.

To quote some wonderful advise"

"To get rid of this albatross around your neck and his stupid Dangles, you need to take matters into your own hands. YOU need to end it. YOU need to derail his train of destruction and soul-stomping that’s barreling through your life.

Fortunately, this isn’t hard. As soon as you cut off the free, unrequited love and attention, as soon as he realizes you’re not giving out emotional SWAG anymore, the mooch will go away. He’ll come back later, just to check; tell him he’s a bore and then ignore him, and he’ll check in with decreasing frequency. Once he gets it that you see him for what he is and that he’ll get nothing more from you, he’ll give up and go away.

The truth of this hurts. But you’ll get over the pain of moving forward; you’d never get over the pain of trying to work with him.

So, when Narcy-Pants comes along and dangles sweet words or promises in front of you looking for your willingness to play along, see it for the Dangles infection that it is, hit the delete button, and get rid of the problem once and for all." http://alexandranouri.wordpress.com/page/7/

"Yes, it’s an uphill road, but if you can invest in the climb, the view from the top is spectacular."

bgirl's picture

Passive agressive behaviors

PS: a link that gave me several light bulb moments and also relates to the original post about allowing ourselves to be treated as sex objects rather than celebrated and loved for WHO we are. Disordered individauls, emotionally unavailable individuals and us (this is me) as enablers (or condependants) may also have a tendency to participate in masochistic and/or sadistic sexual behaviour depending on our conditioning. It is up to US to break the cycle if we want something better. Something real.

On that note I wonder if it DOES exist and if it does what does it look like? I have no clue other than what I feel....which makes me feel alien like.

http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Live-In-A-Sexless-Marriage/1445968

FreeMe's picture

NC Warriors

We ALL need to be WARRIORS of NC

We all need to take after NC with a vengeance. Today, the lightbulb went off.... I cannot do this dance anymore. I am so grateful my final words to my NARC were, "I AM OVER THIS RELATIONSHIP--- GO date every woman on the planet, good luck with that. I'M DONE!"
I can't carry this dead end relationship one more step. My attention is on ME.

This is a brilliant link to NC
http://abusesanctuary.blogspot.com/2012/04/no-contact.html?m=1

The BEST quote:
No Contact is your pure and sweet rejection. It is empowering. It is your last word. It is your closure. It is one of the most hurtful narcissistic injuries you could inflict."

We are all here by our own choice.... Let's choose to move forward....
FreeMe

indifferent's picture

Been reading the blogs on this website...Empaths

Some of it is interesting. First heard the term empath on this site and when googled to find out more I came across this... empathicperspectives.blogspot.com/

Bit of self awareness for me. I attract the needy, fucked-up and strange people... Or I gravitate to them!! Not sure which. Chicken and egg blah blah
Apparently some empathy can be abusive too. In order to protect from cruel world etc.. Maybe explains why some narcs have such an uncanny ability to abuse emotions in others? Dunno but makes interesting reading nevertheless!

thanks!
December 4, 2012 - 11:10am — lisalisa47

I will read it now...

There's loads!!!
— indifferent

I'm a month in and still reading the blogs!!!! Some are a bit 'blah' but some are a bit 'hmmm interesting'!!

See what you think....

STLLady's picture

Interesting link

I read the article and it sounds almost like the N in my life, but the none difference is he ALWAYS talked about what he wanted. He never hid that, but he hid his anger.

It was his hidden anger that first tipped me off that something was rotten in Denmark.

I also exhibited some passive aggressive behaviors, but I guess the healthy part of me is I could see my actions while reading this article, and recall how I would see this in myself while engaged in those behaviors.

I was healthy enough to asl myself why was I procrastinating when asked to do things, or why was I now being very critical of someone... And then confront the hidden anger and then stop taking it out on others in this destructive way.

He couldn't do that.

He felt justified in his passive aggressive behavior when I would call him on it. On the other hand, if he called on mine, I could see it and own up to it, and then try to change.... Sometimes...

I am still procrastinating on doing somethings for him, I know I need to get off my duff and do it but, right now I have zero energy and desire to sacrifice my time or him anymore.

I need to redirect the mortgage bills back to him, follow up on the IRS request for more info, and forward the bills to the house to him.

All are my responsibility to handle, I just don't want to handle anything associated with him right now.

Tori's picture

How to NOT be Narcissistic

How to NOT be Narcissistic Supply
Posted October 25, 2009 - 5:32pm
1
Vote up!
1. Know what narcissism really is. Narcissism is a character disorder which causes the narcissist to "look outward" for a view that will reflect him as wonderful. Rather than having good self-esteem, the narcissist lacks it, and feels empty, and therefore must gain his pseudo-"self-esteem" from others--external sources--family, friends, lovers, workmates and children. Success is measured by over-evaluation of one's achievements, and by more concrete examples that seem to "prove" the erroneous achievement: money; praise; status; promotion; being liked; being powerful; being overly nice, etc. Objectification of people mirrors their objective to show themselves as having "objects" that conventionally define success. They desire the best, and are perfectionists. Their perfectionism derives from their internal, sublimated sense of worthlessness, envy and shame. Everything & everyone is, in essence, reduced to an object for the narcissistic, and some work together quite usefully: i.e. a wealthy partner; a good physique in yourself or in another (partner). These objects are known as "supplies" which the narcissistic feeds off of and ultimately drains of their own self-worth.

2. Analyze your behavior around the narcissist. Do you tend to pay more attention to their needs than to your own? Many people assume the role of a narcissistic extension, which means they are used, or allow themselves to be used, as a supply to keep the other person "on track", or in control, or feeling okay. Often the person who extends the narcissist does not recognise what is happening as the narcissist uses (unconsciously or consciously) strategies that trick the narcissistic extension into believing they have certain invaluable traits. They can be excessively loving, due to their need for a supply of love, but their needs overtakes any real love, and the extension is simply that, a part of the narcissist, not a full human being.

3. Think outside the box. Don't compare yourself to the stereotypical narcissistic extension; narcissistic extensions do not always serve as the trophy wife for the well-paid executive. They are more often targeted by the narcissistic for traits that the narcissistic (possibly reflexively) realises he can manipulate. He thus always plays a game with his potential partner, turning them gradually from the beloved, elevated "person of their dreams" into an object who is debased, wanting and "not good enough." That is because the extension can never fulfill the ever-empty hole inside, and his need to feel whole always requires more and more.

4. Understand that the narcissist often makes use of some psychological games to get what they want. At the same time, they never succeed in their never-ending quest of new ways to demonstrate themselves they're worth something. Thus material acquisitions or new people (or both) become necessary after a shorter or longer time, or at a time of insecurity, especially work and family problems, and particularly if the extension stops playing his or her inculcated role. The narcissist finds it exceedingly easy to devalue one previously "adored" narcissistic extension, and replace him or her with someone he ranks higher. This ranking is not rational, as it is the thrill of the new and exciting that keeps him from feeling empty and addressing his own weaknesses. He would rather move on, and, in a way, that is good for the narcissistic extension, who, once that often benign, even banal person has exited (often in a way that is dissimilar to the "normal" behaviour he play-acted for years, or months, i.e. callously; cruelly; deserting, etc. and, in fact, contradicting all the positive "spin" he used to trap his "victim." The next one will inevitably fall into the trap.

5. Be careful and use your intuition. It is not easy to spot a narcissist, as mentioned, as they can equally be "Mr Nice Guy" as "Mr 'I Am.' The signs are subtle, but one guiding rule is trust your immediate intuition, and do not believe his or her words, focus entirely on their actions.

6. Know that the narcissist can leave you at the very moment you stop making them feel important or they are bored. No surprise when you know, but when you don't it is a huge and traumatic shock, the guy leaves, usually without warning or explanation, or with lies, and has another person waiting in the wings: girls too, of course, not just men. And if asked, about their professions of love, they'll shrug it off: "I meant it at the time." Just like he means it at the time this time, but is deluded (to a greater or lesser degree and really believes this is it--the perfect love which will complete me) by his insatiable needs.

7. Be strong and patient with yourself. It often takes the person who has played the role of narcissistic extension (which does not necessarily mean boosting the narcissistic partner's self-esteem, though it may include that or being critical but engaged with the person. If there is withdrawal, the narcissistic panics and runs) some time to recover from the shock of being dumped. He or she may also go through a normal "bad patch" but cannot bear the feelings that arise, so he finds, easily enough, some other to fill the place before he or she has a chance to feel empty. The narcissistic extension is in shock, and goes through the stages of grief. The poignant and problematical issue is that the narcissistic extension is grieving for what never was, and this means that it over takes much much longer to get over the relationship. They have to "miss" out twice, in a sense, while their ex does not grieve, and just moves on, until, perhaps, one day, he exhausts all avenues and has to face himself, but, by now, he is metaphorically "unseen" and unknowable to his or her non-self.

8. Heal your wounds and rise again, liberated from that person's negative influence on you. The narcissistic extension does his or her grief work and the grief work of the other, and then has to accept that the person never cared about him or her, or loved, as he or she, being a narcissist substitutes "other supplies" for love, and must come to terms her life with that person was a lie. It is difficult and painful work but it is work that eventually enables growth and the reintegration of the extension as an "I," the antithesis of narcissistic and a person of true empathy and compassion.

So, if you identify yourself playing this role, recognise it, do something, go through the harsh grief and recognition of the truth, and know that you will be a happier and healthier person who knows they can and do love.
~~~~~~~~~

* Don't think narcissists are one type.

* Trust your first instincts and intuition

* Beware of quick professions of love

* Be very wary of excessive expressions of love, in words. Look at deeds.

* Do not take their word for anything! They have an unparalleled ability to lie to your face, even if evidence is right there. They will rationalise and make up excuses: they garner their skills to talk-the-talk when under pressure.

* Don't ever take them back a second-time. They will do it again. And again. And again.

* Therapy has some psychoanalytic techniques that can bypass the narcissistic tactics are being used, but should be handled by a professional in trauma or personality disorders.

* Though you may feel bad, you will feel better than before, once it's over.

* Grieve, believe the truth, that it was not a real relationship, and move on.

* Work on your own wants and needs before others.

http://www.wikihow.com/

Rose's Path's picture

An expansive list of N traits

An expansive list of N traits

I came across this page from Halcyon that gives a more detailed explanation of N traits. It gives a broader explanation of the traits listed in the DSM. I related almost all of these to my XNBF.

http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/traits.html#neg

Happy reading!

Zoe's picture

The Past Year in Songs

Walking on sunshine
Out of Reach(Gabrielle)
Walking on Sunshine
Trick me (Kelis)
Walking on Sunshine
Out of Reach
Love the way you lie
Walking on Sunshine
Out of Reach
You wont let me(Karise Eden)
Love the way you lie
Walking on Sunshine
Out of Reach
NaNaNaNa Kiss him good bye.....

What songs have you related to or found helpful?

Submitted by Brinamarie

Tristy Prettyman "Guest Check"

Well he thinks that he's got me
He thinks that I'm giving in
But I know all the lies and the alibis and the hypnotizing
Where do I begin?

He's says that girls lie
But I got news for him, cause boys lie too
And I'm through with all your games
And all your excuses, down to everything you say and do

Cause I've seen things from a different view
And I realize all the things I already knew
Your not for me
You know I don't think that you've ever been good for me

Ya know, there's got to be someone out there who's real
There's got be someone who can honestly say they feel
This music underneath my fingertips
She says, "get a grip girl, cause guys like that don't exist"

Well I just wanna laugh my way through life
And no worry about whether they think what I'm doing is wrong or right
Cause ive got so much to learn
And you know this fires just dying to burn...

I think it's time to leave....
Can I have the guest check please?
I'm saying good-bye, to all the comfortable things
I'm going out living my life, gonna see what a little livin' will bring

Cause I've seen things from a different view
And I realize all the things I already knew
Cause your not for me
And no I don't think that you'll ever be good for me

Londonteacher's picture

Gratitude/End of Psychopathy Awareness Site?

I am so grateful for "The Path Forward" website. This forum has helped me get through so many dark times. I think I may even be addicted to "The Path Forward," for when this site went down during Hurricane Sandy, I was at a loss. I greatly missed my daily doses of encouragement and wisdom! I am truly fortified by all of you.

I must say that I have also learned a great deal from Claudia Muscovici's Psychopathy Awareness site. However, I have noticed that there have not been any new stories posted in quite a while. All activity seems to have suddenly stopped a couple of months ago. Does anyone know if it has shut down or if something has happened? I would appreciate any information. Thanks.

neverlookback's picture

Claudia

continues to keep her articles posted on her site but has for the most part discontinued new articles on psychopathy so that she may focus on her other writing on different subjects

mystwoman's picture

Relationship between Empaths and Narcissisists

I just found this article, and thought it was very good. Thus, I'm sharing it here. This article really hit home for me, as I've always felt both mine and other people's feelings very strongly (empathic). To quote the author, "Real empaths feel too much. Real narcissists don’t seem to feel anything, or at least not in regard to others’ feelings." Yep, in my case, this is so true. Hopefully, this article will be as interesting for everyone here as it was for me. :)

http://www.thespiritualeclectic.com/2010/08/22/the-relationship-between-...

Butterflystar's picture

Wonderful Article

This article is great as it really gives one some tools to deal with being an empath. I never realized that I was an empath until I started reading this blog and other material but I do fit the bill. Another way that this dawned on me was when the narc who last (and who still is) crossed my path and tried to suck me into his black hole of dispair and I instinctively "knew" that this was happening to me and drew away from the interraction. It's probably really important to give oneself detachment in these situations to maintain one's balance.

probationnc's picture

A song for healing!!!!

I think this is a great song about N abuse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08CqZaP0EuA

tresor2's picture

A book I found helpful

Source: The Key to Power & Personal Peace by Uell S. Anderson is an "old school" book that talks about this exact thing. http://self-improvement-ebooks.com/books/tktpapp.php

He wrote other books; one of which isThe Secret of SecretsYour Key to Subconscious Power.

Just another take on things; hope this helps.

phantom adoration's picture

NewJust a thought

moved to favories

Deestarr's picture

sam vaknin

Hi, I just watched the following video on YouTube... Anyone seen it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG4c97xXx84&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I'm shocked. I didn't realize that he was such an expert on the topic because he is a N?!

The video mentions that is is rare to find a person who suffers from all 9 traits of NPD. However I reckon most people on here could say their N ticked all 9 categories.

Just highlights the fact that you have no idea these creatures exist until you've been in contact with one. There should be more education in schools etc of these evil people.

What does everyone think?

Deestarr

probationnc's picture

Well and this is just my

Well and this is just my opinion, I have done some research on this guy and quite frankly I find him scary. I read an article where he stated that he believes President Obama is a N....I think he is gaslighting and very jealous of the President.....I also read some articles about his questionalble credentials...why would so many people trust a self proclaimed N?

shock and awe.some's picture

Agreed

Some experts believe that he's more P than N. I don't watch or read him any longer. After watching the short film that he made with his wife and seeing how totally abusive & childish he acted, I don't want his thoughts in my head.

NittanyLioness's picture

Journey from Abandoment

Has anyone else read The Journey From Abandonment to Healing by Susan Anderson?

http://www.amazon.com/The-Journey-Abandonment-Healing-Relationship/dp/04...

I have been engrossed in this book this week and am finding it incredibly helpful. I was not able to start seeing my therapist until this coming Tuesday and needed something to get me out of my emotionally based state and into my cognitively based state. The emotions are what got me into this situation to begin with, so for me the shift was desperately needed.

I haven't forgotten what a shitbird my exN is, but for me part of taking that power from him is learning to stand taller, stronger, and more self-reflective on my own. I know that we all know the whole love yourself before you can love someone else thing and I used to hear this and think "blah blah blah...." Now, I am starting to internalize it and I know this is true.

Whether or not someone is a narcissistic doesn't even matter if they are not emotionally compatible with you. My exN definitely wasn't emotionally compatible with me, but what is to stop me from seeking someone else who isn't emotionally compatible again? This book has provided me with valuable tools to seek my own answers and make my own forward movement.

I do wish my exN the best. I feel sad for him that he will live the rest of his life as a hollow shell of a person who will never feel that true warm wash of an emotionally intimate, supportive, loving relationship, but as for me? I know I am better of healing with my own self love than I am for the immense loathing that I have felt for him over the last four months.

shock and awe.some's picture

I just ordered this for my notebook

I previewed it and it looks like a great read. I'm going away for the weekend & need a good read. TUVM NL

Janie53's picture

Brene Brown Vulnerability

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

And this is as well!
Stay true to you!

Janie

Radiolady's picture

Vulnerability

She is so easy to listen to and so real! This was 20 minutes well spent!

Thanks, Janie!

RL