When you hear the word “psychopath,” you might think of Hannibal Lecter or Ted Bundy. Through the research for my book, it’s become clear to me that most psychopaths are actually nonviolent and non-incarcerated members of society. In fact, there’s a good chance they’ll seem exceptionally altruistic and innocent to the average onlooker.
Psychopaths are, first and foremost, social predators. With no conscience to check their behavior, they use charm and manipulation liberally to get what they want from others. No one is exempt from this. They’ll prey with equal recklessness on family, friends, lovers, co-workers, or even turn their skills to cults or politics. They modify their personalities to become exactly the person they think you want them to be. And they’re good at it.
Most psychopaths are actually nonviolent and non-incarcerated members of society.
You will likely find a psychopath in your life incredibly thoughtful, sympathetic, and feel an unusually deep connection with them — until they no longer need anything from you. That’s when the crazy-making behavior begins.
Here are some common phrases you’ll hear from a psychopath who’s trying to make you doubt your sanity — and how they serve to undermine your independence.
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While saying one or more of these things doesn’t necessarily mean someone is a psychopath, statements like these should be seen as red flags and occasion a deeper look into whether or not your relationship is actually healthy.
1. “You overanalyze everything.”
Of course, there are people who read too much into situations. The way to find out if this is intended to be manipulative or not is to keep track of whether or not your concerns turn out to be well-founded in retrospect.
Psychopaths will intentionally do things to make you feel on-edge or paranoid, like flirt with a once-denounced ex over social media for the whole world to see. When you question them, they accuse you of overanalyzing the situation. But then a month later, you discover they were actually cheating with that person. Psychopaths aim to make you doubt your intuition by constantly planting hints to make you feel anxious and then blaming you for having that anxiety.
2. “I hate drama.”
And yet, you’ll soon come to discover there’s more drama surrounding them than anyone you’ve ever known. Psychopaths will first idealize you above everyone else, praising you for your perfect, easygoing nature. But because they are perpetually bored, this never lasts long. They are pathological liars, serial cheaters, and eternal victims.
Before long, these qualities inevitably start to surface and cause you overwhelming confusion. Anytime you mention your concerns or frustration, they’ll declare their hatred of drama and make you feel bad for reacting to their horrible behavior (instead of addressing the behavior itself).
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3. “You’re so sensitive.”
Psychopaths manufacture emotions in others — it’s what they do. After constantly showering you with praise and flattery, they’ll ignore you for days on end and wait for you to react. When you finally do, they’ll accuse you of being sensitive or needy. They’ll insult, belittle, and criticize you (usually in a teasing/joking manner), pushing your boundaries until you finally speak up.
Then, they’ll turn your manufactured reactions against you in order to make you seem crazy. Within weeks, psychopaths can turn an exceptionally easygoing person into an unrecognizable mess of insecurities and self-doubt.
4. “You misunderstood me.”
Sure, healthy couples have misunderstandings and miscommunications all the time. But psychopaths will intentionally say things they know will provoke you. When you react, they’ll turn the tables and blame you for misunderstanding. Often, they’ll even deny that they ever said it.
This is called gaslighting — blatantly doing or saying something, and then blaming the other party for misinterpreting it (or denying that it even took place). The fact is, you understood what they said perfectly fine. They’re just trying to make you doubt your sanity.
5. “You’re crazy/bipolar/jealous/bitter/in love with me.”
The name-calling usually starts when things are going downhill fast. According to a psychopath, all of their ex-lovers, colleagues, and friends are crazy, bipolar, jealous, bitter, or in love with them. This becomes very confusing when they start reaching out to those very same people they once denounced to you, using them to triangulate and cause chaos (making the psychopath appear in high demand at all times). Then they toss you in that very same “crazy” bucket, continuing their never-ending cycle of idealizing and devaluing anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path.
I deeply believe that the only way out of this destructive dynamic is to go “no contact.” This means no texts, calls, emails, or even Facebook friendships. Otherwise, you can guarantee they’ll do anything and everything in their power to make you feel crazy.
The good news is that when a psychopath tries to make you doubt your intuition, it means your intuition was causing them trouble. Psychopaths seek to psychologically destroy anyone who might threaten their illusion of normalcy to the world. So when they begin playing mind games with you, it’s actually a warped, indirect tribute to your ability to notice that something was “off” about them.
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Written by: Jackson Mackenzie, source: Mindbodygreen.com
Couple neighbors are poster material.
All 5 of these things were done to me! It angers me that I allowed someone to do this to me!
I know a person like this
négatif esprit.
Looks like Neil Young
true…
Live laugh love
Exactly what I’ve been through. Dammit.
Yesssss… I have met one, all the symptoms
Dated two in a row…I thought I was going insane….
i so wish i had kept the letters my first psychopathic ex husband sent me, accusing me of adultery. he denies he sent them. also, the recordings i made of the second psycho ex husband, accusing me of cheating and several other nasty and untrue things. he denies he ever said any of it.never mind, free of all loonies now.
This is me
It is called “gaslighting”. Some of us (hopefully) can now recognize it from a mile away.
I’m pregnant to one. Should I be worried my baby will b like that?
Right on the money!!!!
They left out “I didn’t realize that the material was classified “
The funny thing about this is that my ex showed this to me stating that I am the poster child for being a psychopath. Now..I may have faults of my own but I read this over a few times and came to the realization that it is in fact an autobiography of her life. We happen to have a beautiful 8 year old daughter together that I’ve had full custody of since birth and it pains me to say it but..her mom will always be an ex..kills me that its our daughter that suffers from it all. That’s my take on this..thx
These people are Robots they have no soul…they are pure living evil
BINGO. I have known a few…parents who gaslighted me, but I was able to recognize it and tell helpers what was going-on. They WILL try to destroy everyone around them before they will ever even try to deny any illusion they have tried to create. Best tip for dealing with one: Stay AWAY. They do not exist. That drives them nuts and frees you all at the same time. They deserve NO consideration. They are toxic.
They left one out, Honey, I’m home.
Omg this is my ex
This pattern is common with people who have the Cluster B personality disorders.
Live, laugh, love
puzzleling people by thomas sherringham,go,s indeph on this ,good book,u can spot them a mile away,sly fka,s,no empathy,
The word you’re looking for is sociopath.
Wicked Man!
We are all psycopaths in the right setting! . Merry Christmas to you all .
i swear you saved me !!!
no introspection
this article speaks the truth from sentence one! hard to get of these monsters..but it can be done..no contact is the only way..