Thoughts on Chemistry

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#1 Aug 8 - 2PM
Jen22
Jen22's picture

Thoughts on Chemistry

I have struggled through this whole process and wondered about my deep attraction to the N. How could I feel so attracted to someone who could treat me so cruelly? Well I have done some reading on this site and in other places about the dynamics of unhealthy relationships. I think the attraction can best be summed up in two parts, I can't remember where I read these things, if I could cite them I would. 1)The fantasy - the attraction is so intense because the N has created the ultimate fantasy of himself for you, and promises that you will have it. And you do have it for a period of time, it feels so good and it's very hard to separate it even after the N has shown their true colors. The fantasy is so intense in the beginning that it is very hard to serparate it from the N once he has started to devalue you. 2)I have read this is several places, the fact that the person withdraws from you only intensifies the chemistry. Once the attention is turned to you again, it is a great relief and therefore those feelings are tied into the chemistry as well. I think people probably have different opinions on this and would love to hear other comments or theories. For me I think I will see that intense chemistry with someone as one of the red flags for myself from now on. I remember other relationships that were healthier where I felt chemistry with the person, but not like this. I guess it's really helpful for me to read explanations about chemistry because I find it helps me unplug from it.

Aug 8 - 10PM
Jen22
Jen22's picture

Thanks Barbara

Hi Barbara, my father was an N, he seemed to get better as he got older, but he really made life hell for my mother and us kids when we were growing up. Later in life he bacame ill and seemed to develop more as a person. Don't know if that makes sense, but he seems better, or maybe it's because I left home years ago and I have distance from his behaviour now. I have seen my family doctor and she is great, I have had generalized anxiety disorder for years, so I am back on medication again. Also I am trying to find a therapist to help me with all of this. What you said about recovery being about wondering how you could let it happen really struck a cord with me, it's the hardest thing I struggle with. Even though rationally I know I couldn't have stopped it, it's still difficult to let go of that feeling that I could have stopped it. Sometimes I just feel so empty and exhausted after everything I have been through. I have two really great jobs, and I find my work is what helps me put it out of my mind for a few hours, the rest of the time I am at home, still not really wanting to socialize a lot, but it is the most comforting place for me to be, so I think it's ok for now. I also have a really good support system, so I really think I will be ok eventually.
Aug 9 - 12AM (Reply to #8)
Barbara (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Jen22

the sad thing is that it is the GOOD THINGS about you that make you a victim. You are not naive, gullible or anything else. Nor are you 'co-dependent' or an 'enabler.' Narcissists target GOOD people with positive traits (discussed at length in 'WOMEN WHO LOVE PSYCHOPATHS') Children of Narcs take much longer to see what's happening because they are RAISED believing it's their fault and being unable to see the Narc's behavior as odd because they grew up with it. Here's some possible therapy options for you: http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/04/16/finding-effective-help-you THERAPISTS WHO I KNOW FOR SURE 'GET IT' ABOUT PATHOLOGICALS: http://saferelationshipsmagazine.com/counseling-ctr/a-path-to-recovery-start-here http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/07/13/low-cost-counseling ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Articles & information for abuse victims - Updated Daily Online Coaching for Victims of Narcissists/ Psychopaths
Aug 8 - 9PM
Barbara (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

incorrect thinking

I know I was involved with a psychopath. There is no question in my mind---- my recovery is all about trying to forgive myself for being such a perfect fool; he was too good of an actor and conned me. I lost my self esteem, hate myself for going along with the lies & manipulation and not putting myself first. This is absolutely WRONG thinking. You were NOT a fool. He TARGETED AND HYPNOTIZED YOU - that is NOT NOT NOT your fault. Please get WOMEN WHO LOVE PSYCHOPATHS and therapy ASAP!!! I was just curious, as SOME victims had Nparents (I did) but many do not. It's totally random... Lisa too has a great family, yet she was targeted. NOT YOUR FAULT by Kathy Krajco The first thing the victims of narcissists need to know is that they are not to blame. Not one bit. In other words, he didn't get mad because dinner was was late. She didn't blow up because you are "too this" or "too that." You didn't "ask for it" by speaking up and saying that you deserved some attention and respect. The narcissist attacked you just because you are there, period. Don't you have a right to be there? Let's get real. Narcissists think they have a right to punish you just for being the way you are. Think, don't you have the right to be the way you are? Do you have to be some character in the narcissist's fiction that conforms to his or her specifications? Does that make any sense? That's as hateful as the crime against humanity of attacking people just for being a certain KIND or nationality. The narcissist attacks because he or she is a predator, period. Predators attack any vulnerable prey that crosses their sights, period. Therefore, the prey is NEVER the one bit to blame. It would make as much sense to blame a sheep for getting attacked by a wolf. So what if the wolf says, "I attacked her because she is an obnoxious sheep!" What idiot falls for that line? Yet narcissist sympathizers are doing precisely this and are therefore being irrational. The narcissist attacked just to do it, and he or she attacks any prey they have some unfair advantage over. They never pick a fair fight. They are bullies, period. They do it to vaunt themselves on others. It gives them a high. Like as in a high from a hit on drug. Does this mean you are a saint? Of course not. Does it mean you have never said or done anything in an argument with a narcissist that you should regret? Of course not. You are like a bank teller who gets shot in a holdup. You are totally innocent of getting shot. Don't let the sloppy thinkers like narcissists and their sympathizers convince you that you are to blame because you were rude, or because you were embezzling, or because you are a drug addict. All that is irrelevant TO HIM SHOOTING YOU. Of course you should change those things about yourself, but the "intellectual" clowns who make out your character flaws as justifying abuse of you are complete idiots unable to see the relationship between cause and effect. Being late with dinner is no excuse for the narcissist to attack you. Being "too this" or "too that" for his taste is no excuse for the narcissist to attack you. Demanding decent and respectful treatment is no excuse for the narcissist to attack you. I don't care how "threatened" any of that makes the poor, twisted narcissist feel. His perverted feelings are HIS problem, not yours. Like Osama bin Wanton, he will never run out of twisted excuses to irrationalize his attacks on you, so get off the guilt trip. His perversity is not YOUR vice. Narcissists attack you just to do it. You are therefore 100% innocent of your victimization. Blow off this absurd "It takes two to Tango" crap. Doubtless, you will discover that there are certain things you should stop doing. Good. Now you wise up and stop being manipulated in ways that play right into the narcissist's hands. Now you cannot be victimized. THIS is how you stop being a victim. But foggy-headed idiots (like those espousing the stupid co-dependence theory) try to claim that you stop being a victim by pretending that you have never been made one. That's crazy. That is magical thinking, like the narcissist's. You HAVE been made a victim. That's a FACT, like it or not. And "victim" is not a dirty word. Though being a victim is nothing to aspire to and is something to avoid, being a victim is NOT a sin. It is nothing to be ashamed of. To the contrary, the most innocent are the most unsuspecting and most easily victimized ... until they have learned the hard way not to assume that other people are good. And these foggy-headed idiots who blame the victim should be able to see that. (Maybe if they stopped thinking in buzzword-laden slogans, like robots, they would.) You stop being a victim by wising up so that you are never again victimized. It requires nothing beyond COMMON SENSE to realize that. In some cases, the narcissist has stolen something of value from you, like your job or reputation - something you have every right to get back from the damned thief. You stop being a victim when you win justice and get it back, period. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Articles & information for abuse victims - Updated Daily Online Coaching for Victims of Narcissists/ Psychopaths
Aug 8 - 3PM
Rose-Marie (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Chemistry

In my life I have only been attracted to a few men, I can tell you that I was attracted to the N almost as soon as I met him and I can't to this day explain it - he's not even good looking. He did say to me "No one has ever looked at me the way you do!" I think they must cast a spell or something ..
Aug 8 - 3PM (Reply to #2)
baddream
baddream's picture

Same here.

When we were apart, mine would say "I miss your adoring eyes"..
Aug 8 - 6PM (Reply to #3)
Barbara (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

no chemistry at all

You all need to get a book called WOMEN WHO LOVE PSYCHOPATHS immediately!! did you have a narcissistic parent? That too can cause you to be an N-magnet. http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/03/28/am-i-under-his-spell http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/07/10/narcissists-experts-hypnosis http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/08/02/methods-pathological-manipulation-deception I has NOTHING to do with your 'attraction.' NOTHING!! You did NOTHING WRONG!!! You were TARGETTED! This is NOT a 'normal' break up with a guy who was a 'jerk.' This was a ploy that targetted you by a pathological. The recovery takes longer. THESE MEN ARE NOT HUMAN!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Articles & information for abuse victims - Updated Daily Online Coaching for Victims of Narcissists/ Psychopaths
Aug 9 - 12PM (Reply to #5)
Rose-Marie (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Narcissistic Parent

Lisa, Yes, I did have a narcisstic father. When I initially met second N, he was as unlike my father as I could have possibly imagined - or so I thought. It was on our third date when I said something which I even now consider to have been totally innocuous, and he turned on me and his angry response cut me to the core I was so upset (like being winded in the stomach) that I could not speak - he then went on to say that giving him the silent treatment was unacceptable as well. In hindsight I should have cut and run then because I'd already had a relationship with an N many years before, but I thought this venting of anger was a one off. As time went by he began to show his true colours and he and my father could have been popped from the same pod. My late husband was as unlike an N as he could possibly be, thank goodness . The problem is that no two Ns are alike and my second N was totally different from the first - apart from when I tried to bamboozle them both with questions and they both had a smillar "brain overload" expression on their faces, which is a sight to behold. As soon as I saw that expression, I had no doubt that I'd landed another N. Rosy P
Aug 8 - 8PM (Reply to #4)
baddream
baddream's picture

Targetted--

No Barbara, I did not have a narcissistic parent. I had a very normal upbringing, good childhood and a pretty good life before I met N. I had a successful career and lots of friends. I think N was attracted to the whole package, I was what he wasn't. He tried to take it all away but when I realized what he was and realized by going along with his lies and false self I was untrue to myself-- I needed to confront him and let him go. As for the "chemistry", that was part of the "brainwashing". He wanted me to believe we were soul mates and he never had anyone "love him like I do"... When we were at restaurants he used to tell me that the waiters/waitresses did not want to interrupt us to take our order because they could see our "chemistry" and how involved we were with each other. He was always trying to make me think we had this incredible, perfect love which in fact was not love at all but all made up with a fake person. I know I was involved with a psychopath. There is no question in my mind---- my recovery is all about trying to forgive myself for being such a perfect fool; he was too good of an actor and conned me. I lost my self esteem, hate myself for going along with the lies & manipulation and not putting myself first.