Narcissistic personality disorder affects many men and women. If you find yourself married to a narcissist and fear the consequences of divorce, we’re here to help. Although divorcing an individual with narcissistic tendencies can raise challenges, it’s far from impossible.
What Is the Narcissist Personality?
According to the Mayo Clinic, narcissistic personality disorder is a “mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, trouble relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.”
People with narcissistic personality disorder may:
- Have a sense of entitlement and require excessive attention
- Believe to be superior to others
- Exaggerate achievements and talents
- Belittle people they perceive as inferior and take advantage of others
- Behave in an arrogant way
- Need to have the best of everything, from homes to cars
In their relationships, narcissists often belittle their spouses to make themselves appear superior. They’re also unable to deal with their negative behavior, leaving their spouses to do so on their behalf. Narcissists rarely know what they’re doing is wrong, so they don’t often reach out for help.
Challenges Involved When Divorcing a Narcissist
Living with a narcissist is painful, and divorce may be your only option for walking away. During your divorce, there will be specific challenges brought on by your narcissistic spouse.
Playing the Victim
You can expect the narcissist to play the victim in every scenario. For example, during a court hearing, they may place all the blame on you. They’ll do what they can to manipulate the facts in their favor, even if that means lying.
Although lies in divorce do typically come to the surface, it will result in lost time and effort for all involved.
Zero Cooperation
Narcissists thrive on competition and winning. This means it’s highly unlikely they’ll cooperate during the divorce process. They’ll do what they can to win, whether that means withholding information or disobeying court orders.
Lack of Negotiation
Narcissists often refuse to negotiate during divorce proceedings, derailing any efforts. In their eyes, nothing will be good enough until they win in every aspect of the divorce.
If you plan to divorce a narcissist, it’s important to document everything from texts to photos. This will help you, your attorney, and the court know the difference between facts and fiction. It’s also important to limit your communication with your spouse to avoid further harm. An attorney with experience in cases involving narcissism can help.
Are You Considering a Divorce? Reach Out for Help.
A typical divorce is already difficult. Divorcing a narcissist can be even more challenging. If you’re considering a divorce, don’t try to go it alone. The attorneys at the Law Office of V. Wayne Ward are here to help. To learn more or to discuss your needs, give us a call at 817-789-4436 or send us a message.
