NewsBreak Original

***Sharing lived experiences from a personal perspective***. Narcissists are notorious for their emotionless demeanor and sneering contempt. When they are love-bombing you, you feel like you have met your prince charming. When they begin to devalue you, at first you are stunned and shocked. You have no idea who this person before you is. You are vaguely aware that you did not sign up for any of this but you keep hoping the prince charming you have come to know will re-emerge from this stranger standing there with this twisted sneer on their face, the look of disdain and disgust on the face that just yesterday was looking at you with what you thought was adoration.

I've been in an abusive relationship before. It's not something I'm proud of and it was something that took me a long time to figure out. I knew something wasn't right, but for some reason, I just could not see it for what it really was.

As someone who cares deeply about your relationship, we understand that it can be difficult to navigate when you suspect your partner may have a personality disorder. It's not easy to see the person you with their mental health and it's important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding.

A narcissist is someone with a personality disorder who has an inflated sense of self-importance, an need for admiration and a lack of empathy. There are two types of narcissists - overt and covert. Overt narcissists are arrogant, self-centered and exploitative.

Toxic relationships are hard to leave. Surprisingly abusive relationships can become addictive. partners can get trauma-bonded, particularly in narcissistic relationships and having experienced narcissistic abuse. Outsiders don't understand the victim's dilemma or how you can love an abuser. Love isn't rational, and there are usually positive sides to the relationship. Additionally, there are other reasons that make it hard to leave:

Infidelity is not a mistake for narcissists, it's part of their game plan. Don't blame yourself if you've been cheated on by a narcissistic partner. If you've been involved with a narcissist, you know how difficult it is to get out of the relationship. You've probably tried everything from expressing your feelings and telling them how hurtful their actions have been to simply walking away from the relationship.

Are you dealing with someone who seems to always put themselves first? Do they lack empathy and struggle to connect with others on a deeper level? You may be dealing with a narcissist in disguise.

Narcissists’ entire personality is a defense to help them manage their hidden insecurity and inner turmoil. There are three hidden things they do that aren’t immediately obvious, but if you think about them, they will make sense to you and explain the narcissist's manifest behavior.

As a community, we need to address the issue of race and gender narcissism in Austin. It's a real problem that affects not only individuals but also our society as a whole. We understand how difficult it can be to confront these beliefs, but we believe that empathy is key to finding solutions. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for everyone.

Narcissistic parents can be damaging in many ways, including how they impact their children's self-esteem. While it's normal for kids to learn from their parents, who else is there to teach us?

Discovering I was in a relationship with a narcissist has changed my life. I got schooled in the most challenging way. The results were both good and bad. Terms, oh my, the terms I have learned. I had never heard of narcissism, stonewalling, passive-aggressive behavior, entitlement, gaslighting, or trauma bond. Once you experience it, you learn all the terms and resonate with them. It is devastating emotionally, but at least my awareness has grown exponentially. I can now spot manipulative tactics a mile away. My intuition is more tuned in. And I will never fall for that again.

Parental alienation is a complicated and often devastating phenomenon that can tear families apart. It's important to remember that children can be alienated from both parents by the other parent, so it's not always easy to pinpoint who's responsible for what.

Narcissistic Victim Syndrome and the Freeze Response. In the face of narcissistic abuse, victims often experience a range of psychological and emotional difficulties. One key survival mechanism that can emerge in these situations is the 'freeze response,' which can leave victims feeling immobilized and helpless.

As a victim of narcissistic abuse, it is often useful to understand why the narcissist always plays the victim. Narcissists are known for their manipulative and self-centered behaviors, which often include playing the victim.

Photo byEnvato Elements Purchased Image License CVMTRPZUNS. Leaving a relationship with a narcissist is monumentally difficult, mainly because of the trauma bond. The only way to succeed is to have strict no contact. If children are involved, you may have to use the Gray Rock approach to deflect the abusive behavior. The narcissist will try to bait you back in either with love bombing and compliments or with a full-on smear attack. In my situation, he would send sweet emails or love songs tugging at my heartstrings. When I opened the emails, it was like opening Pandora's Box.

Have you been on the receiving end of a narcissist or know someone who has? A lot of time is spent discussing the narcissist but what does it feel like to be the person on the receiving end of the narcissistic abuser and what are the narcissistic victim syndrome and freeze response?

Are you struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you repeatedly? Do you feel trapped in a cycle of abuse, unable to break free from the toxic dynamics of your relationship? If so, you're not alone. Many people who have experienced narcissistic abuse find it hard to forgive their abusers, especially when they don't acknowledge or apologize for their behavior.

How much ego is too much for a politician? Let's explore together. As the world prepares for yet another round of political elections, it's worth taking a moment to consider how our country's leaders—and potential leaders—might be affected by narcissism.

Poor Narcissus. The gods sentenced him to a life without human love. He fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and died hungering for its response. Narcissism was named for him. Like Narcissus, narcissists only love themselves as reflected in the eyes of others. It’s a common misconception that they love themselves. They actually dislike themselves immensely. Their inflated self-flattery, perfectionism, and arrogance are merely covers for the self-loathing they don’t admit–usually even to themselves. Instead, it’s projected outwards in their disdain for and criticism of others.

We understand that dealing with a narcissist can be overwhelming, frustrating,and isolating.You may feel like you are walking on eggshells.Trying to please them while sacrificing your own needs and values.