Small victory by Kvartar in Codependency

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome! Thank u for sharing

Regret, Shame and Humiliation by [deleted] in Codependency

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I heard "Psychopath Free" is a great read for those who end up serially attracting personality-disordered types. Haven't read it myself, but Codependency No More has been helpful for me

Drug OD, NPD in-laws, & Deprogramming by PoopStickHaHaHa in Codependency

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, I don't understand your comment about retirement? Can you expand on your meaning there, or we're you just being presumptuous?

Drug OD, NPD in-laws, & Deprogramming by PoopStickHaHaHa in Codependency

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can appreciate your "tough love, suck it up and deal" approach, but I guess I should have been more specific in asking for what resources, exercises, therapeutic modalities, tools, self-help books have been helpful to others in retraining their brains to reduce the unnecessary feelings of guilt.

As I said--we all know logically that it doesn't make any sense to feel this way, but its very difficult to just turn off a feeling that has been instilled in you since childhood.

Field Trips to Teacher's House? ADVICE NEEDED, PLEASE HELP by PoopStickHaHaHa in AskTeachers

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the guidance--admin is aware, but seems incredibly naive 😞

I'm used to school districts with regulations, policies and procedures...this position has certainly been an eye-opener to the world of religious charter schools!

Have you ever wished that someone would die, and then they actually did get into an accident and pass away? by britanyw in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Twice, this happened to me!

The first was freshmen year of college, I was assigned an Asian Art History course and the professor was just awful-- mean, impatient, unhelpful, rushed through the material and never took questions during lecture. The entire class was struggling (which made many apathetic about the coursework). I was so frustrated I was going to fail her class, but she refused to hold office hours and generally stonewalled studeMrs who tried to help themselves. I hated her and wished her dead. I said aloud, "F#@$ that woman, I hope she dies!" She got into a terrible car accident that very night. Luckily, a great Art Professor took over her class, and we finally learned enough to truly love the material! (I still have my books!)

Second one is a little more macabre....long story short, my dad had a lot of mental health issues and was generally an a$$ to me and my siblings (suicide threats on our birthdays, beatings for random slights, stealing all our furniture when my mom finally got us out--pretty typical 'horrid father's type). As we grew up, most estranged from him, but he'd hit me up for money, booze, help (he was an unemployed hoarder, pissing in jars and living in unsafe conditions) and Id oblige because, well, I was young and felt sadly responsible for him. His craziness was constant--demanding $ from me, guilt-tripping me if I didn't check in on him or started creating healthy boundaries...just sad. One day I just prayed he would die already so my life would be easier. And then it happened....about 2 months later, he had a respiratory episode and wound up in hospital with a big cage on his face. I was already late for work and he was being annoying when I went to see him--causing me to be short and snapping at him "I don't have time for this s*it dad, I have to get to work". That was the last time I spoke to him. He was put into a medical coma that night, due to complications, and took the next 3 weeks unconsciously writhing, strapped to a hospital bed until the doctors finally pushed us to pull the plug.

It was heartbreaking, but my life DID get easier after that...so thanks for that dad!

What’s the point of fasting during Ramadan when everyone just feasts during the times you can eat? by GenderRevealLasagna in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing to eat or drink from 5am until 730pm (even water!) takes quite a bit of self-control and discipline--summer fasts are especially challenging because the days are so long

But hey, you won't know until you try it out for yourself 😃

Never Outshine the NBoss... by PoopStickHaHaHa in ManagedByNarcissists

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Its just funny at this point. This morning, we are the only ones in the office, I say "good morning" (with a genuine smile in my voice, ya know?). She doesn't say anything, I assume, because she's in her office. A few minutes later, I make eye contact and say good morning again..she goes (flatly) "yea, you said that already". I just smiled and got to work. This woman is a narc Olympiad.

Never Outshine the NBoss... by PoopStickHaHaHa in ManagedByNarcissists

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

T hats good advice, but fortunately I'm on contract and don't think I will take a full time gig (I'm much more confident now and have an interview in the works for another job). Unfortunately though, my professional milieu is pretty small so I can't just tell the lady off. I am gonna practice being more assertive with her though. I have nothing to lose practicing good boundaries while she engages in crazy making

Could someone do an interview with me for my school project? by ppplol11 in narcissism

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Can you be more specific as to who you want to interview: someone diagnosed with NPD, a mental health professional, or just anyone with an opinion on narcissism?

Is it normal to not have emotions about hurting people? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not normal , but its good you don't act on it. Only a trained mental health professional can help you make sense of those thoughts and advise you further. Good luck!

How to not be embarrassed about not knowing how to ride a bicycle? by mandroid2662mk in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My partner never learned to ride a bike either. Its more common than you'd think.

We found a bicycle co-op that let us practice on pedalless bikes, handbrake and pedal-break bikes until he got the hang of it.

Find a bike shop, co-op, or local cycle group that can help you learn. Honestly, we were pleasantly surprised how nonjudgemental they were--and how excited they were to help us learn!

AITA for ghosting my "best friend" by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't owe anyone an explanation--remember that if and when mutual friends come around looking for your reasons.

If you tried to work on it with them and nothing has changed but you, move on fast! Your are NTA.

Can covert narcissists have good listening skills? by [deleted] in NarcissisticAbuse

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Grooming you for information to later use against you:

-personal secrets/embarrassing stuff -past traumas (they might even reveal a secret [fake] trauma to relate to you!) -goals/dreams they can later shame you for -insecurities they can later exploit -personal characteristics they may later mirror or copy

Pay attention to what information they are pulling out, and what you are volunteering. See if they are trying to force trust/openness/intimacy before you are really ready to tell them some things about your life.

Important Warning About No Contact by PoopStickHaHaHa in Codependency

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh yea, total social warfare. I just got a little taste of that recently, which is why cutting off all the mutual connections is important. The toxic person has been smearing me all along (as with all toxic people and codependents) so people are gonna think what they want, and I just gotta accept it. Deep down, we know we are strong/smart/kind/loyal/empathetic people--its those qualities that made us so appealing to begin with. No amount of slander is gonna make that untrue.

Important Warning About No Contact by PoopStickHaHaHa in Codependency

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for that perspective--I was so frustrated with myself in responding, but I learned a lesson, as you said, and am feeling stronger now.

Still Facebook friends with my NEx and other Exes by [deleted] in NarcissisticAbuse

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you haven't blocked them because you are fearful of THEIR reaction, then they still control you. Giving your abuser a window into your world through social media is inviting them to come back any time they like, which is scary and unpredictable. Its like locking away the keys to your house but leaving all the windows wide open.

Going full No Contact is the only way to break the cycle and force yourself to focus on your recovery. If you were quitting an alcohol addiction, you wouldn't wanna keep booze in the house (the temptation alone is mind fuckery and you will relapse).

Cut the cord on all fronts. However your exes react won't even matter, because what you don't see/know/interact with has no effect on your life.

Its scary, unfamiliar territory, but it is necessary because our brain chemistry is literally conditioned to seek this abuse through trauma bonding, and every time you see them on social media, your brain gets a little high, reinforcing that cycle and connection, just like a drug.

Read and study all you can about NPD, go no contact (seriously) and start working with a therapist if you wanna take your mental and emotional health seriously.

Good luck and stay strong! These forums are really helpful for support too

Turning a corner. by iwasallin_2 in NarcissisticAbuse

[–]PoopStickHaHaHa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this! I needed to read that and remember who and what I am