Q&A for How to Move on from a Narcissistic Relationship

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Do rebounds help you get over someone?

Lena Dicken, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Lena Dicken is a Clinical Psychologist based in Santa Monica, California. With over eight years of experience, Dr. Dicken specializes in therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. She utilizes an integrative approach combining Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Mindfulness-based therapies. Dr. Dicken holds a BS in Integrative Medicine from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University Los Angeles, and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Westwood. Dr. Dicken’s work has been featured in GOOP, The Chalkboard Magazine, and in numerous other articles and podcasts. She is a licensed psychologist with the state of California.

Lena Dicken, Psy.D

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Nope! It's really hard to fully invest yourself in a new relationship when you haven't given yourself the time to grieve and heal from your break-up. This can start a dangerous pattern where you date back to back to back, with all of these relationships creating heartbreak that you don't properly process or heal from.

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Question

Why did my narc ex want me to suffer so badly when i was nothing but loving, caring, considerate and forgiving?

Lauren Kaduce

Community Answer

Narcissists tend to care only about themselves. When they see others suffer, from the people who lose their jobs during a recession to the Parrotheads who are grieving the death of Jimmy Buffett, it reinforces their own sense of superiority to these people. It’s not about you, it’s about them.

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How can he move on so quickly, marrying in less than a year?

Lauren Kaduce

Community Answer

Narcissists often date someone for a short time, leave the relationship, and quickly move on to the next one. You can find a similar pattern with narcissistic CEOs. They stay at a company for a short time, damage it so the stock price goes way down, then quickly move on to next one. They will always have an explanation for the employees and shareholders as to why they couldn’t have done any better.

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Am I a narcissist?

Lauren Kaduce

Community Answer

If you’re concerned about this, you’re probably not one. Narcissists fail to recognize their own behavior or how they come across. Most of them don’t get professional help because they don’t believe they have a problem. However, only a professional can diagnose NPD. Consider talking to a therapist to seek a diagnosis.

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