Narcissistic Abuse — The Fast Facts

The psychology behind this personality type and how to cope when you love, care or work for one.

I have loved a few individuals deeply with this personality affliction. In loving them, I lost my own self for quite some time. But when I picked myself back up, I vowed that I would never again be annihilated by another human being with narcissistic personality disorder.

My first-hand experience means I now understand narcissism extensively. With understanding comes compassion — for both them and I. But more importantly, with the understanding comes a resilience to the unbridled damage wielded by these character types.

It may sound perverse, but I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from having loved such difficult people; I possess greater insight — I am wiser and hardier, and I am better equipped in shielding myself from toxicity and abuse where it lies within the personality disordered.

It oft disturbs me how many of these types walk among us. The kindest thing we can do for ourselves is to understand the warning signs so that we can prevent ourselves from shattering in the wake of their abuse; be it minor or major — as even minor can cause lasting, and sometimes irrevocable damage.