Recovering from any turbulent relationship can be tough, but it can be especially difficult if your ex shows narcissistic qualities like selfishness, arrogance, or manipulative behavior. By following the steps below, you can begin to distance yourself from your ex-partner and make a healthier and happier life for yourself. Just keep in mind that only a licensed therapist can diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), and even if someone does have a clinical diagnosis, that doesn’t automatically make them abusive or toxic. [1] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source But if you’re trying to get over any type of challenging or dysfunctional relationship, these steps will help you move on for good.
Steps
wikiHow Quiz: Am I Dating a Narcissist?
Expert Q&A
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QuestionDo rebounds help you get over someone?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.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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QuestionWhy did my narc ex want me to suffer so badly when i was nothing but loving, caring, considerate and forgiving?Lauren KaduceCommunity AnswerNarcissists 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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QuestionHow can he move on so quickly, marrying in less than a year?Lauren KaduceCommunity AnswerNarcissists 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.
Tips
- Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a legitimate mental health condition that many people work hard to manage with therapy and medication. [22] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
- Remember that language matters, no matter how angry you are with your ex. Labeling someone a “narcissist” when we really mean “manipulative,” “toxic,” or “abusive” only adds to the stigma that people with clinical NPD face.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/pro/recovery-expert/2019/06/going-no-contact#1
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/does-going-no-contact-with-a-parent-heal-you-the-answer-isnt-what-you-think
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-in-the-age-narcissism/202111/moving-and-moving-narcissist
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201508/5-ways-move-ex-you-still-love
- ↑ Lena Dicken, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm
- ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/narcissistic-relationships/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sense-and-sensitivity/201210/the-aftermath-narcissistic-relationship-0
- ↑ Lena Dicken, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.
- ↑ Lena Dicken, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201508/5-ways-move-ex-you-still-love
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sense-and-sensitivity/201210/the-aftermath-narcissistic-relationship-0
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201508/5-ways-move-ex-you-still-love
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-autism-spectrum-disorder/202004/how-develop-sense-self-after-narcissistic-abuse
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder/narcissistic-abuse-recovery-healing-from-the-discard#professional-help
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-mentality/201804/how-heal-fractured-friendship
- ↑ https://www.simplypsychology.org/how-does-narcissistic-abuse-future-relationships.html
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder/narcissistic-abuse-recovery-healing-from-the-discard
- ↑ https://www.thehotline.org
- ↑ https://centerforhopewny.org
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662