Idealize, Devalue, Discard
Illustration of a nonviolent Toxic relationship
© 2013 NeuroInstincts | All Rights Reserved | No Unauthorized Reproduction Permitted in any form
Jane’s story portrays the drastic behavioral change, betrayal, deception, and pathological lying of callous-unemotional partners.
Individuals with strong psychopathic traits tend to cycle through partners in a fairly predictable manner. The cycle tends to be idealize, devalue, and discard. However, it should be noted that this cycle is usually also found among other cluster B personality disorders, such as those with narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.
With regard to psychopaths, they tend to blame their partner for the demise of the relationship. Perhaps their tendency to blame their stage of disinterest/ hate on their partner is due to their poor insight into their own behavior. Their lack of ability to ‘see’ that they tend to cycle through lovers in a similar manner coupled with arrogance and narcissism blinds them to their role in the predictable demise of their relationships. They blame shifting is also partially related to their near complete inability to hold themselves accountable when they hurt someone deeply.
But what is clear and fairly consistent is that they lose interest in their partner and the kind treatment he may have demonstrated in the beginning vanishes. The second stage of their romantic relationships are often dramatic, painful, fluctuating, riddled with secrets, and unstable.
Most psychopathic relationships include gross verbal abuse, disrespect, and mistreatment.
Many women and men are traumatized by these relationships and struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or post traumatic stress disorder by having this individual in their lives.
For some, psychopathic relationships can be dangerous and potentially life threatening and nearly always life changing.
If you have been or presently within this situation take steps to ensure your emotional or physical safety.
© 2013 NeuroInstincts | All Rights Reserved | No Unauthorized Reproduction Permitted in any form
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