Author Topic: Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering  (Read 1804 times)

cydonia31

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Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« on: June 04, 2005, 03:18:05 PM »
Two days ago, I "ended" a relationship with what I have just come to realize is an N. I caught him cheating on me and that was finally the last straw. He is currently terrorizing me with threats and intimidation. I feel like a prisoner in my own home, in my own mind. In the past twenty four hours, I have come to understand how completely and totally he has controlled my every move and broken down my psyche. I am angry at how much energy, love, and money I have waisted on him. I am angry at myself for letting this happen as I thought I was a relatively intelligent and self-sufficient woman. I never thought of myself as a victim before now, but as a survivor. I am afraid of myself, afraid of him, and even more terrified that I still have feelings for him, that part of me still loves him. Where, exactly do I go from here? How long will it take before he goes away? Will this happen to me again? There is obviously something innately wrong with me to have attracted, and stayed with someone like him. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated right now as I am too ashamed to discuss this with anyone I know.

feedback

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what a cool thing google can be..once ...
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2005, 03:24:13 PM »
what a cool thing google can be..once ...
one knows some of the aspects of what one is questing..

it seems as if he is probably further progressed
than your run of the mill narcissist
to psychopath or sociopath and beyond even maybe

google..u know that wonderful search engine
so much spoken of
google.com in url address to access it

if specifics come to me
that might be detailed feedback
i might post that later

Anonymous

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Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2005, 03:24:40 PM »
Welcome cydonia,
Quote
There is obviously something innately wrong with me to have attracted, and stayed with someone like him.

That is not true.
Over time you were conditioned to tolerate his behavior. It has happened to every person here. There is nothing innate about it. You can change the way your mind has been manipulated. You were suckered by a con man.
And what attracted him was probably your most admirable qualities.

I'll leave it to others who have gone through the N mate problem to help you with that part of it.

mudpup

mum

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Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2005, 03:41:41 PM »
Welcome, Cydonia.  It has been my experience that most, if not all, of the folks here will understand what you are feeling now.  I am so sorry you hurt and are afraid.  It is pretty amazing the kind of mind games that get played.  There is not something wrong with you.  Most likely, as mud said, the things that got you into that relationship are the same things that make you a wonderful person.  It's ok.  Trying to figure out what it is that brought you into that situation might be helpful, perhaps later on.  But torturing yourself with it isn't very productive and won't make a whole lot of difference at the moment.
If it's any consolation, I've been right where you are and sometimes still am.   Walking through the fire isn't fun.  Being afraid isn't either, but both things will help you grow.  You will be ok.  Soon you will see this as past.  Until that time, try to breathe, relax.  See yourself as already on the other side of this..you have done a brave thing, are doing a brave thing.
You are powerful, though the N's behavoir may make you think otherwise. It is a feat, not letting our patterns drive our reactions.  Those patterns, for me, include worrying about what everyone else thinks of me, as if the outside is somehow more important than the inside.  I get knocked off balance by stuff, when I know, deep down, my intentions are good.  Stay with your good intentions.  Don't let the N damage talk anymore.  You're ok.  Right now, you're ok.
Post again, let us know how you are doing.  Sending you lots of light and love.

sleepyhead

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Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2005, 03:52:12 PM »
Welcome Cydonia,
I agree with Mudpup, there is nothing innately wrong with you, but you have been programmed to accept and tolerate this kind of behaviour, maybe by your ex, maybe in the past (most of us who have been in relationship with an N have been conditioned to this behaviour by our parents). And programming can be changed.

Quote
I am angry at how much energy, love, and money I have wasted on him. I am angry at myself for letting this happen as I thought I was a relatively intelligent and self-sufficient woman.

Be happy that you got away insyead! Sure you wasted some time on this person, but you're not wasting time on him anymore! Yey!  :) This proves that you actually are intelligent and self-sufficient.

I do worry that he continues to terrorize you though. Could you report him to the police? Is there a womens group or something you could talk to? Hopefully someone with more experience of these issues can give you some advice. Take care!
Rip it to shreds and let it go - Garbage

bunny as guest

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Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2005, 05:36:47 PM »
Hi Cydonia,

I think this website would really help you: http://www.drjoecarver.com/. Go to the "articles" links. This psychotherapist has written two excellent articles, 'Identfying Losers in Relationships' and 'Love & Stockholm Syndrome: Loving an Abuser.' Please read these if you can. They are very informative on what is going on with you, and how to manage the situation with this man.

welcome to the group,
bunny

Stormchild

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A Book that could help
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2005, 06:53:24 PM »
Hi Cydonia

Please, if you don't have a copy, think about looking for Gavin de Becker's book "The Gift of Fear". Don't be frightened by the title. He talks about how to know when someone is blustering, and how to know when there are real risks. It should be available in paperback, it's still in print I think.

I was stalked and ended up living in a friend's back room for several months. All ended well, I'm fine and free.

This isn't about me though, it should be about you. I'm just telling you  about it because that book helped me assess my situation and decide what to do, and I've never regretted the actions I took. It's also helped me stay calm in other situations where there wasn't a real threat.

Poor dear, I am sorry this is happening to you. If you can consider it positive at all, right now, try to comfort yourself with the fact that this man's behavior proves beyond any doubt how right you were to end things.

I hope this helps. Please consider looking at the book. Borders should have it and so should Amazon.com.

PS I had a great aunt named Sidonia (different spelling). I've always thought it is a beautiful name. She was a remarkable lady.

longtire

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Re: Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2005, 06:43:39 PM »
Hi cydonia31.  I sounds like you have come to the right place. :)

Quote from: cydonia31
Two days ago, I "ended" a relationship with what I have just come to realize is an N.

Good for you for taking a stand for yourself.

Quote from: cydonia31
I caught him cheating on me and that was finally the last straw. He is currently terrorizing me with threats and intimidation. I feel like a prisoner in my own home, in my own mind.

Not good.  Get help from friends and family to be safe.  Document the evidence of his actions if you need to call the police.  Keep a diary of every interaction with him.  As you learn more about N you will probably be able to find ways to deny him "supply" and he will get bored and go elsewhere.

Quote from: cydonia31
In the past twenty four hours, I have come to understand how completely and totally he has controlled my every move and broken down my psyche. I am angry at how much energy, love, and money I have waisted on him. I am angry at myself for letting this happen as I thought I was a relatively intelligent and self-sufficient woman. I never thought of myself as a victim before now, but as a survivor. I am afraid of myself, afraid of him, and even more terrified that I still have feelings for him, that part of me still loves him.

I am sorry that you feel so bad right now. :( Welcome to the club!? :?

Quote from: cydonia31
Where, exactly do I go from here? How long will it take before he goes away? Will this happen to me again?

The good news is that you get to decide all these answers.  The not as good news is that you are the only one who can decide for yourself.  You can certainly get many points of view here, though.

Quote from: cydonia31
There is obviously something innately wrong with me to have attracted, and stayed with someone like him.

No, there is nothing wrong with you.  As others here said, you had been conditioned to tolerate this kind of behavior, maybe even seek it out.  Now that you are waking up from that old brainwashing, you are free to choose your own responses.  I used to think that way about myself, as well.  See my tagline at the bottom. :)

Quote from: cydonia31
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated right now as I am too ashamed to discuss this with anyone I know.

Shame is one of the things that held you in that situation.  Ditch it as soon as you can.  It doesn't help and only hurts you.  Easier said than done, I am still working this one myself.  Keep talking and reading here and you will see that you are a full-fledged member of a very big club.  You are not alone with this.
longtire

- The only thing that was ever really wrong with me was that I used to think there was something wrong with *me*.  :)

Guesting

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Utterly New, Afraid, and Floundering
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2005, 08:41:52 PM »
Hi Cydonia,

I'm so sorry for what you are going through.  :cry:  But, if you need support and understanding, there's plenty here to go around.  :)  

Quote
I am afraid of myself, afraid of him,


I'm sorry if I don't understand the full extent of pain you are going thru, but is it possible that he knows you are afraid of him?  If he does, could it be that he feels he has the upperhand in this matter and taking advantage of your fear?  Would it help at all if you make him see that you are not afraid of him and his cowardly behaviour towards you.  Even though  on the inside you still feel scared.  Which is perfectly normal and only human to feel that way.  Perhaps, the trick is, don't let him know how you are feeling.  Could it be that he is just playing you or bullying you around?  You know what they say, all bullies are cowards.  They are really small on the inside and fool themselves into thinking they are big and bad.

**************************
Sending you warm thoughts.

write

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oh dear
« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2005, 01:05:54 AM »
have come to understand how completely and totally he has controlled my every move and broken down my psyche. I am angry at how much energy, love, and money I have waisted on him. I am angry at myself for letting this happen as I thought I was a relatively intelligent and self-sufficient woman. I never thought of myself as a victim before

yup, we've been here before.

That's what being involved with a narcissist is like.

Don't blame yourself- you weren't the first and won't be the last.

Start taking care of yourself and stop being hard on yourself.

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