I Suddenly Realized I Was Dating a Narcissist But Didn't Leave

Have you found yourself dating a narcissist but didn't leave? You knew you probably should. Did you ask yourself, "What's wrong with me? Why can't I leave?" You've even started hiding the ugly truth of what's really going on behind closed doors. In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss why we stay in toxic relationships. Why we may recognize our partner is a narcissist but don't leave. It's called cognitive dissonance. Learn the underlying cause of the agonizing confusion that paralyzes the victim from acting in their own best interest. Find out what it took for us to break free from its terrible grip. To learn more about cognitive dissonance, become a Podcast Extra Subscriber. This week, Lisa and I deconstruct the causes of intense paralysis and share practical steps for seeing through the narcissist's deceptive mask. Sign up here for the weekly Podcast Extra: substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphd. Two great places featuring the same helpful content. Want to know my story? Read Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross-- available here: https://amzn.to/3NVMBXO--now available right here in my YouTube Shop! Follow Dr. McAvoy! YouTube: @kerrymcavoyphd Instagram: @kerrymcavoyphd Facebook: @kerrymcavoyphd E-mail: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.com Newsletter: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substac... or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphd Website: https://www.breakingfreenarcissistica... Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a mental health specialist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding various other mental health-related issues. Her memoir, Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross, gives an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. CHAPTERS 00:00 Toxic Person's Good and Bad Traits 01:00 Enter Confusion-- Creating Dual Realities 03:00 Can't Make a Decision 04:00 Betrayal and Awareness 06:00 The Role of Self-Doubt 08:00 Trauma Bonded 10:00 The Illusion of Mutual Investment 12:00 Why It's Difficult to Make a Decision 14:00 Steps to Resolve Dissonance 16:00 The Person You Met vs. The Person You Know 18:00 The Craziness of Living in Both Realities 20:00 The Consequences of Making the Final Decision 22:00 Steps to Resolving Cognitive Dissonance 24:00 The Reality of Narcissistic Traits 25:00 Understanding the True Nature of Your Partner