PSYCHOLOGY
5 Signs That Your Partner Is a Psychopath
There are many kinds of people to avoid when it comes to choosing romantic partners. What these kinds are tend to differ from person to person, but there are a few consistent answers. For one, you never want to be with someone you’d consider dangerous.
As exciting as danger can sound to the naïve or to thrill seekers at times, there’s nothing romantic or sexy about antisocial behaviors. Especially when you become the victim. Those who date psychopaths and narcissists may find themselves at greater risk of this than anyone else.
To avoid this, you must first know whether or not your partner is a psychopath. Here are a few things to look out for:
1. You’re Subjected to Love Bombing at the Start
Although love bombing is not exclusive to those diagnosed with psychopathy, this can be a clear telltale sign at the beginning of a new relationship. Psychopaths often do everything in their power to reel their prospective partners in. Things move fast and you suddenly find yourself spending time with a person who seems too good to be true. That’s because he or she is.
2. They Use Sob Stories to Hook You In
Besides the love bombing, psychopaths employ another tactic to sink their claws into you: empathy. A likely scenario is that this new partner will be quick to reveal past traumas. You’ll start to feel sorry for them and their troubles. What’s really happening beneath the surface is that your empathy has now been weaponized against you.
3. Manipulation Starts Oozing Out of Them Like Sweat
While things start off smooth, the mask of decency will soon slip. When confronted with their callous behavior (and there will be tons of that), the psychopath will inevitably counter with gaslighting. Rewriting reality to suit their personal narrative is a common tactic, as is pathological lying and other toxicities.
4. You Soon Realize They Have Little to No Real Friends
As charming as they can be, what really sets psychopaths apart from everyone else is their inability to form genuine connections with others. This is due to their general lack of empathy and compassion. Fake it as often as they might, it isn’t possible to keep the façade up for too long. Not to mention the fact that psychopaths tend to abandon people once they find no use for them any longer.
5. Everything They Do Is For Themselves
Yes, that includes dating you. Chances are, you have something they need: be it sex, financial security, or even just the attention they so desperately seek. Nothing is without purpose for a psychopath and said purpose always revolves around the want or need they have.
These signs aren’t always the easiest to spot considering how good many psychopaths are at covering their tracks. Still, if you manage to notice these things, then you can rest assured that your suspicions are valid and, contrary to what your partner may have said, you aren’t just going crazy.
Realizing that your partner is a psychopath can be a tough pill to swallow, but knowledge is power. The more you know, the better you can prepare. Even if that means taking the swiftest exit out of that relationship.
