Your Pain, Their Power: How Narcissists Feed on Relationships

Ever wonder why a narcissist seems to feed off your emotional pain? Do you find yourself constantly trying to prove your worth in relationships while the other person maintains the upper hand? Tony Overbay, LMFT, discusses the complexities of narcissistic relationships and emotional immaturity. Tony explores concepts like the false self, the one-up, one-down dynamic, and antagonistic attachment styles in depth. He uncovers how narcissistic traits manifest in relationships, causing deep emotional trauma and affecting whole families. Learn about the destructive patterns of predation, competition, and parasitism in narcissistic behavior from the article “Understanding the Narcissists Antagonisitic Attachment Style” by Julie Hall, creator of “The Narcissist Family Files” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-narcissist-in-your-life/202107/understanding-the-narcissists-antagonistic-attachment-style Tony shares insights on reclaiming your sense of self by recognizing these unhealthy dynamics. Special thanks to Riley Hope for her song 'Not My Job,' which serves as the show's anthem. You find Riley Hope's "Not My Job" streaming information here: https://linktr.ee/rileyhopematlock

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:43 Listener's Question on Narcissism

01:39 Understanding Narcissistic Behavior

04:15 Exploring Narcissistic Relationships

05:26 Antagonistic Attachment Style

15:23 One-Up, One-Down Dynamics

18:56 Real-Life Examples of Narcissistic Patterns

24:17 Introduction to Human Attachment

24:42 Secure vs. Antagonistic Attachment

25:55 Predatory Relationships

29:57 Narcissistic Competition

33:18 Parasitic Dynamics

33:49 Coercion and Control

40:18 The Mask of Narcissism

42:57 The Ripple Effect of Narcissistic Abuse

45:02 Empowerment and Healing

47:54 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview