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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Covert narcissist

16 replies

Chasingpavements7654321 · 23/04/2022 07:54

Has anyone had experience with this. I know we can't diagnose. I don't mean when someone's just a jerk. I mean when someone clearly has s huge issue.

I was always happy and peaceful until I met "Gary " he gave me alot of intense feelings in the begining. Seemed amazing. I fancied him when j met him. So when we started texting he seemed extra amazing. Just sounded like a genuine lovely man who had had a couple of rough years and now was rebuilding his life.

Rather than type out millions of this and that happened I'll bullet point some things that happened.

  • Mentioned his last ex and he kept in touch. Throughout the story of their split changed. It sounds like he was messaging other women and he definitely got into a fling whilst still trying to repair his relationship with his ex and still living with her.

*The woman he had a fling with left her husband as he had convinced her he was starting a life with her.

*He met me and he had depression. Chronic back pain which was true. He was an ex alcoholic too and has history of suicidal attempts and thoughts. I've seen proof of his hospital stays it's all true.

  • He was a tad too invested in detail. Nails. Hair. Colours that suited me. How he'd prefer me to have my hair. Questioning me on why I don't wear shorts. Arguing with me I could tan if I tried. I'm pale and I do not tan I got red and freckly.

*Suggesting brands and they were what his ex used.

*Stories changing

*Women dramas

*No savings. Bad with money. Always borrowing.

  • 49 and nothing to show for himself in terms of a house or car or decent furniture yet he's worked and earned brilliant money.

*No relationship with family to the point he is alone at Christmas. Eats toast. Ignores the day.

*No friendships.

*No social life. Has s couple of dodgy people round for a cuppa but that's it.

*Prefers his dog to people.

*Drama in his life. Always drama. Fights. Stories about his exes and other men. People robbing him etc.

*Can't let go of the past.

*Uninterested in my friends and family. Told me not to tell him anything about these people as it's just gossip. Then he will gossip to Me.

*Women on Facebook. Getting an over interest in women he's not seen for 20 odd years and offering them support if he sees they have addiction etc.

*Always asking if he looked ok. Claimed to have no confidence. Always thinking about his outfits. Saying he thought he looked cool.

Claimed he was brought up to treat women well and then he's calling me a cu* and throwing me out the house.

*Shut me down if I tried to talk. Couldn't handle me being upset or quiet. Wouldn't discuss things. Banned me from sending messages if they were questioning. But if I spoke to his face he'd get angry and throw me out.

*Accused me of being insecure. Paranoid.

*His tele got stolen but he was way too calm about it. I think he sold it.

*Always buying weed but never got me a birthday card. We were in a stage of silent treatment. But still.

*Always getting me to do his forms and phone calls. Sorted his shopping for him

*Always made comments about other people having money. Wandering why other people get everything so easy etc.

  • Walks past people who do similar work he can do and always points out they did a bad job and he was a perfectionist.

*Made out he was OCD and said I was messy but his house was filthy in terms of grease, dust and mucky carpets. Never hoovered etc. He was tidy but didn't clean much. He claimed he didn't care because it was not his house.

Angry and negative. Couldn't see positives. Didn't like me being happy or chatty. Would act uninterested if he wasn't center of my attention.

Blew hot and cold.

Always had stories of stalkers.

The list goes on and on. He lacked empathy. Cruel. Selfish.

His grown daughters had cut him off due to him borrowing money etc.

Just an all rounder but he hid it well at first.

Any one else experienced this.

OP posts:
Fernsinthegarden · 23/04/2022 08:03

I’d run like the wind. He sounds draining to be around, I wouldn’t waste my time.

alwaysmovingforwards · 23/04/2022 08:21

That’s a whole lotta red flag bunting.

gingerhills · 23/04/2022 08:25

Genuinely baffled. Why on earth would you spend any time with this man? A single one of those issues would have me distancing myself from a man like that. He sounds deeply unpleasant.

Justanotherteaandbiscuit · 23/04/2022 11:00

I know a woman like this. You spend time with these people because they manipulate you to feel something for them. Whether it's love, pity or something else. They are never to blame for anything and they will take you down with them.. then they will move on to a new supply. I know now what I didn't know before, but part of me is still grieving what I thought I had. If you're still unsure, pop into Google because there are hundreds of chat pages dedicated to escaping from these people - because they will follow you.

Triffid1 · 23/04/2022 11:25

Sounds like BIL and yes, we think he's a covert narcissist. The way he uses his "insecurities" and "trauma" to manipulate and abuse SIL is endless.

OP I hope you're running as far and as fast as you can.

Chasingpavements7654321 · 23/04/2022 18:57

I am currently stuck because he owes me money and I have a box of very sentimental things of his. He's blocked me everywhere. I can't throw these things outside in his garden they are too personal photos if his dead mother etc. He could be moving any day now anyway so I gave no idea what to do.

OP posts:
Fernsinthegarden · 23/04/2022 19:02

Post the box to him and he should have redirection on his new address? If he was that bothered he’d contact you.
Why has he blocked you everywhere?
Depending on the amount he owes it may be best to write it off and move onto a clean start.

lilkiki · 23/04/2022 19:05

I mean does he have any redeeming qualities?regardless of being a narc or just a wanker, he sounds truly awful and your life will improve
immeasurably By not having him in it

lilkiki · 23/04/2022 19:06

Chasingpavements7654321 · 23/04/2022 18:57

I am currently stuck because he owes me money and I have a box of very sentimental things of his. He's blocked me everywhere. I can't throw these things outside in his garden they are too personal photos if his dead mother etc. He could be moving any day now anyway so I gave no idea what to do.

Apply to small claims court if you have to, he’s not paying you back any other way!

DatingDinosaur · 23/04/2022 19:57

Chasingpavements7654321 · 23/04/2022 18:57

I am currently stuck because he owes me money and I have a box of very sentimental things of his. He's blocked me everywhere. I can't throw these things outside in his garden they are too personal photos if his dead mother etc. He could be moving any day now anyway so I gave no idea what to do.

Well, before he moves, put that box on his front doorstep. That it’s his dead mother’s stuff is just misplaced emotional sentimentality on your part, not his.

Then assume you’re never going to get that money back without a struggle (is it really worth it?) so write it off. Chalk it up to experience and learn from it.

Clean break. Block everywhere. Don’t rise to anything/ignore if you see him in person. Beware the “oh I made a mistake, I love(bomb) you, let’s get back together” scenario.

Stop looking for reasons to keep him in your life!

Chasingpavements7654321 · 23/04/2022 20:25

Nope it's not me wanting to keep him. He lives on a dodgy estate with loads of crime and his stuff is likely to get pinched. I could consider posting it back but he's had work alot and wouldn't be home in delivery hours. Although I may do that if I don't hear by Wednesday.
He owes me £500 and I've written off the rest as I am tired of asking. But I really could use that back.

There's not much nice about him. He's abusive. Angry. Cuts me off..
I'm starting therapy Wednesday so hoping to get some sessions after the initial phone consultation.

OP posts:
Mumof3confused · 27/04/2022 07:42

Send the box with recorded delivery and write off the £500

gingerhills · 27/04/2022 07:55

Send a letter to his current address with the photos enclosed telling him the rest of his stuff will be on your doorstep as it's safer than his, for 48 hours. If no one has collected it by then, you'll dispose of it.

As to the money - you could go through Small Claims but if he doesn't have the money, he won't pay you even if you win the case. I'd look at ways to try and recoup that amount asap in the least stressful way. Maybe take on an evening or weekend job for a season. Is there a less stressful way of recouping that amount than chasing him for it?

Watchkeys · 27/04/2022 08:43

You spend time with these people because they manipulate you to feel something for them

This removes the responsibility of the victim to take care of themselves. It's because we allow them* to manipulate us. Once you add that, it gives you the power to not allow^.

OP, you're doing this to yourself now. You're not 'currently stuck'. Get a friend to contact him and take his stuff round. Write off the £500. No more stuck. You don't need anything from him, and you certainly don't need to waste any more time writing detailed lists of his behaviours, in your head, on forums, or anywhere else. Whether you continue to choose to be a victim of his is up to you. You're in charge, not him.

LargeProsecco · 27/04/2022 10:53

I had a covert narcissist too, an awful experience.

You've dodged a bullet there, OP.

You sound like you might have Co-dependent traits (I did too).

Good luck with the counselling - it will hopefully help

Justcallmebebes · 27/04/2022 15:31

He doesn't sound like a narcissist. He just sounds like a loser and a dead beat dad. I'd just write off the money he owes as you'll probably never get it back. Or take him to small claims court. As a previous poster said, get a friend or relative to go round with you to get your stuff. You are not "stuck" with him at all

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