to the YourTango newsletter!

Continue to Site »»

ProConnect

Are You Trapped In A Narcissistic Relationship?

By . Posted on .

Are You Trapped In A Narcissistic Relationship?
If you can go from being adored to devalued in the blink of an eye just because you had the audacity


Research has revealed that narcissists are the product of their upbringing - it inevitably leads to them having a narcissistic relationship with everyone who crosses their path. They often pretend to have had happy childhoods, but the majority have suffered abandonment on some level, forcing the young child to construct a fake persona who lives in a “perfect world” where he is loved and nurtured like all the other children in the neighbourhood. Pretending that all is well on the home front becomes a task to which they dedicate their entire lives, but because they lack the foundation and reference that authentic, warm human interaction provides, they begin to operate similarly to card board cutouts and learn to fake everything they missed as a child which is the start of a narcissistic relationship. This manner of image polishing becomes a way of life, but puts them on shaky ground where no form of criticism or questioning can be endured, lest everything comes undone by the seems - narcissistic relationships are strangely fragile. Males are often obsessed with their absent, distant and cold mothers whom, dead or alive, they strangely begin to idolize in a bizarre effort to rewrite the tortured history of their past.


Now that you know who you are dealing with – what to do? If the bond is not of crucial value to you, then make tracks as fast as you can and walk away from this narcissistic relationship. If this is a spouse or family member, you must learn to call them on their game, and stand up to them. If they rage, rage back at them – there is no other way, because the main weapon of a narcissist is fear and intimidation. You will have to demonstrate that you are not afraid of them, or the emotional lynching will continue. If this is a business relationship, then reduce contact to the absolute minimum – but never sacrifice your own standards because you expect his rage when you rightfully demand accountability. Let their rage be their problem. Don’t stand for it and tell them so.
 

More from YourTango: Is Your Ex A Sociopath Or A Narcissist?

Recent Expert Posts
Gaze

How to Connect with that Special Woman During the First Months

How do you show someone that you feel that you are special and you mean the world to them?

Feed Me

The Goals of Controlling Behavior In Relationships

Do you try to control how your partner behaves or how your partner feels about you?

Sad Dude

Top Ten Warning Signs He Might Be a Jerk

Sometimes it's easier to find Mr. Right when you know how to spot Mr. Wrong.

Ask The Experts

Have a dating or relationship question?
Visit Ask YourTango and let our experts and community answer.

Resources
How to find the right pro for you
10 Reasons Mental Health Pros Should Join YourTango Experts

10 Reasons Mental Health Pros Should Join YourTango Experts

YourTango Experts can help your business go from good to great.

10 Steps To Improve Your Coaching Business

Take your coaching business from mediocre to great in no time…

Frequently Asked Questions About YourTango Experts

Thinking of joining? Here's all the facts you need to know to make the most of your membership.

Getting Your Guy To Join You In A Therapy Or Coaching Session

So how can your get your strong, self-reliant, superman to talk to an Expert with you?

Therapist/Counselors: Who We Are & What We Do

What exactly does a therapist/counselor do and can they really help?

See more resources>
HOT STUFF!
FROM OUR PARTNERS