“In any type of relationship with a narcissist or sociopath, remember: their abusive, toxic and manipulative behavior is the problem – not you. Normal, healthy people do not go around deliberately harming others or manipulating them. In order to stay sane, you must seek outside support and validation…”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“It may be that while many male psychopaths act in traditionally aggressive, socially-constructed ways which can eventually lead them to be incarcerated (and evaluated for psychopathy), female psychopaths operate in more nuanced, less overtly physically aggressive ways, though they can ultimately lea…”— Seth Meyers, psychologytoday.com
“The silent treatment and stonewalling can have actual effects on the brain. Research indicates that such behaviors are a form of ostracism which activates the anterior cingulate cortex, the same part of the brain that detects physical pain. Being ignored can leave someone feeling injured – literally…”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“INFJs are always looking for the ideal romance and a narcissist’s love-bombing initially looks like everything they’ve ever dreamed of.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Narcissists are masters of love-bombing us and mirroring our deepest needs and desires – down to the every last detail. They excel in creating an alluring, false persona based on what they think we want in a partner. They are talented wordsmiths, swoon-inducing smooth-talkers and faux poets who decl…”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Once a wolf, always a wolf – but you don’t have to remain their sheep.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Wolves are out for blood, for live prey, and malignant narcissists are no different. They will treat you appallingly once they’ve gotten you hooked on their praise and presence.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“The malignant narcissists who walk among you are probably people you know and like – and if you haven’t personally been victimized by them, you’re none the wiser to who they truly are behind closed doors.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Sociopathic predators are very skilled at fooling and duping others. They can be very likeable and charming. They can provoke their victims into reacting after months or years of covert abuse, only to use those reactions as proof that their victims are unstable.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“A person who keeps their word is incredibly attractive to a morally impoverished narcissist. Individuals with integrity have a wealth of attributes that narcissists feel they can exploit for their own gain.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Malignant predators know that a conscientious person will give them the benefit of the doubt, will believe in granting them second chances, and will care about serving the narcissist’s needs even at the expense of their own.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“It is dangerous to characterize those higher on the spectrum of narcissism as just struggling with self-esteem issues. We are all, as human beings, to an extent, struggling with self-esteem – but most of us do not chronically violate the rights of others as a result.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“So what drives their cruel and callous behavior? It’s not low self-esteem. It’s a deeply ingrained sense of excessive entitlement.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Individuals high on the dark triad traits appear to exhibit an empathic profile that allows them to retain their ability to read and assess others’ emotions, and subsequently utilize this sensitive information to formulate strategies with which they can acquire what they want, while their lack of af…”— Michael Wai, Niko Tiliopoulos, sciencedirect.com
“The younger generation is growing up at an exciting yet terrifying time: a time when connections can be made instantaneously, yet meaningful connections are becoming harder and harder to find.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“When you’re dealing with an empathy-deficient individual with a high sense of entitlement and a sadistic need to bring others down, conversations become crazymaking minefields meant to psychologically terrorize and divert you.”— Shahida Arabi, thoughtcatalog.com
“Psychopaths are nature’s only known intraspecies predators. Other creatures will kill their own under certain conditions. However, none wantonly prey on their own. Psychopaths represent the exception. And it’s their malignant narcissism that permits such conduct.”— Dr. George Simon, drgeorgesimon.com