The Path Forward Forum

Recognizing the fact that you have been living with a partner who is affected by NPD, is surely the first step of dealing with the issue.

However, before someone might be classified as being narcissistic, it is important to keep in mind that, like every psychological disorder, narcissistic personality disorder too comes in various degrees. Going to the extreme, we might argue that each of us has somewhere a narcissist in her/himself. It even could be said that a narcissistic tendency is important for survival. However, in the same context it must be emphasized that, while a narcissistic tendency is constructive, a fully elaborated or developed symptomatic of NPD is nothing but destructive.

Dear girls,

I do not write much, but I read all of you every day.
Seven months have passed. I look around me. I did not die as I thought. I actually live in a better apartment : I decided to do the moving to have a new start and it was definitely a good idea. I have got a new cat, she is absolutely gorgeous
:-))) and my son is happy. By the way, all the teachers of my son KEEP telling me how my son has improved this year at school, how he is happier and bright. This year his mum is no more focused on ....him. And it shows.

Hi ladies,

As you know, one of the things that helps me heal is to educate and warn others about the dangers of falling in love with a narcissist. I see that same desire in all of you, which is why this forum has developed into the warm, compassionate place I always dreamed it would be where we can share our feelings and be understood.

I mentioned starting a support group call. The reason for this is two-fold. First, I have led support groups before and I think it would be interesting to see if it can be done over the phone. The more I think about it, however, I do see some challenges. The second reason, which is my main reason right now, for wanting a call is because I would love for all of us to put our heads together on an idea I have.

Doctors:

Do you see a preponderance of middle aged women in your practices with no particular physical disease process, yet a variety of physical and/or emotional complaints, including: insomnia, weight loss or gain, depression, anxiety, phobias, broken bones, lacerations, or bruises? Some may report an overwhelming feeling of emptiness or doom. Others may talk about or attempt suicide.

These patients are frequently rather nervous, with a guilt-ridden, anxious look and effect. They may appear restless, worried, and/or demonstrate a fake laugh that seems to hide something else.

In extreme cases they may describe sudden outbursts of rage with accompanying violence. They may have even been arrested for assault on their spouse. A few of them are men.

An Excerpt from the book: In Sheep's Clothing
By George K. Simon

Two Basic Types of Aggression

There are two basic types of aggression: overt-aggression and covert-aggression. When you're determined to have something and you're open, direct and obvious in your manner of fighting, your behavior is best labeled overtly aggressive. When you're out to "win," dominate or control, but are subtle, underhanded or deceptive enough to hide your true intentions, your behavior is most appropriately labeled covertly aggressive. Now, avoiding any overt display of aggression while simultaneously intimidating others into giving you what you want is a powerfully manipulative maneuver. That's why covert-aggression is most often the vehicle for interpersonal manipulation.

Well.. I keep reading about narcissism..wondering about my husband. Wondering about the Jekyll/Hyde, the alcoholism, the abuse. My counselor thinks he may be bipolar, but in reading about abusiveness in general...one can be bipolar, one can be an alcoholic...one can even be a bipolar alcoholic and still NOT be an abuser. So whatever his other problems, he is verbally and emotionally abusive. And odd. He has always chalked up a lot of insensitive behaviors to having ADD. My N told me that was a crock of shit and he got away with murder blaming it on ADD (funny how my N could see right through that ;) )

It's been one month since I found out that I moved to Guam for a man who flew another woman (really a stranger) to Hawaii while we were engaged. I'm still a little shaken up by that revelation... since he couldn't bother to just tell me that he didn't want to get married. Do you think that's an unnatural length of time? Especially after he spent months asking for my emotional support to deal with his issues, which I now know were just caused by guilt and shame?

http://counsellingresource.com/distress/personality-disorders/understand...

I express my feelings through poetry. I have many accumulated but just thought i'd share this latest. If others write as well please share. I'm not looking for compliments, just an expression of our feelings....

"STORM"

Black and blue skies sweep, wind howling with ominous warning.
As the funnel forms debris is strewn every direction.
It seems to last a lifetime, and consequences do.
In reality it passes like hail, broken lives created by wind.
Then silence, the destruction revealed.

Hi Grossot, How did it go today? You're in my thoughts and prayers and am anxious to hear what's new.

Love,
Lisa