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Relationships

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

Why do some abusers feel that they need to be seen as amazing? Does this have a name?

16 replies

Mullingover · 25/05/2022 12:41

Ive been thinking lately about the abuse I suffered at the hands of my ex husband.
He hasn’t seen his child in person for almost 3 years, 2 years of that in the family court system. He was sent on courses and programmes and successfully completed them.

Contact via video resumed about 5 weeks ago. I’ve noticed that he is absolutely the same person. He may have learnt to control his anger but the reason behind it all is still there and the same. He is such a strange person with these odd needs. He needs desperately to be seen as up high on a pedestal, he can’t be second best, he can’t share that pedestal. He doesn’t seem to want to do the hard parenting just buy things and talk the talk. When I hear the phonecalls to our child he sounds so very odd. He almost sounds like he is grooming our child instead of letting the relationship happen over real things and time.

I wonder why does he feels such a desperate need to be seen as someone amazing?

He was like that in our relationship. I remember the same intensity at the beginning and I was swept off my feet, he was extremely generous. The issues happened when I swayed from this and didn’t show my appreciation enough. In the past before contact stopped he was so intense with our child and adoring until they were naughty and he would then return them to my door saying take your child back.

Does this have a name?

Even on the phone calls now he repeats remember daddy is the best, the best in his profession etc and that means so are you!

OP posts:
Farmhouse1234 · 25/05/2022 12:47

Narcissism. Linked to attachment (but other factors involved too I suspect)

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 25/05/2022 12:47

Narcissistic personality disorder. NPD or "narc" for short.

Grandiosity and public appearance are key to this type of abuser.

Notsomellownow · 25/05/2022 12:47

Yep Narcissism 101

LaBellina · 25/05/2022 12:49

Very likely it’s about having control. They want power over others.

Also a lot of abusers are deep down very insecure about themselves and act out their feelings of misery and inadequacy on those around them. This isn’t an option for him now so he’s trying to build a relationship in another way that isn’t natural to him. Basically they don’t know how to be a decent human being that builds a bond gradually based on trust and empathy.

Notsomellownow · 25/05/2022 12:52

I recently discovered that there is a whole world of resources out there on recovering from an abusive relationship with a narcissist! Look at My ex is a narcissist or theselflovemethod on Instagram for example, or the anti people pleasing and Do you f*&##ing mind podcasts

Fireflygal · 25/05/2022 12:59

Textbook Narcissism.

They can't have a genuine connection as anyone in a relationship with them is used for validation. A child who doesn't reflect well on him will be discarded.

Usually narcissists lose interest when children express their own opinions and preferences.

Their needs dominate - they need admiration like most people need oxgyen. Often they will be successful as they pursue ventures (careers, hobbies) that will provide validation. They are frequently masters of image management so fool many people.

Estimates of NPD are thought to be widely underestimated as a narcissist will not seek a diagnosis. They will however usually have a string of failed relationships which end acromiously as they don't have empathy.

Lilililili · 25/05/2022 13:02

Look up Dr Ramani YouTube channel on narcissism!

LaBellina · 25/05/2022 13:03

Lilililili · 25/05/2022 13:02

Look up Dr Ramani YouTube channel on narcissism!

Dr Ramani is great

Farmhouse1234 · 25/05/2022 13:03

Check out HG Tudor on YouTube

Mullingover · 25/05/2022 13:12

I always thought a narcissist would be someone who thought very highly of themselves but he seems to have quite a low self of esteem if he has to purposefully groom his child. They would love him anyway I would assume. But saying that I don’t know who the real person actually is without all the provado.

OP posts:
AgentJohnson · 25/05/2022 13:14

Diagnosing your Ex helps you how? However, your musings does show that you haven’t sufficiently detached from him and his issue.

Mullingover · 25/05/2022 13:20

@Fireflygal this makes sense. He was very adamant when I was pregnant he did not want a boy and I had early tests to find out as he was anxious. Our daughter is really beautiful, I’m not just saying that she gets lots of comments, she is 6 now. He absolutely sucks this in. He loves the fact people see that he walks with a beautiful little girl, his princess. He makes loads of noise about it, it seems to reflect on him.

Back when we split and we shared parenting we discussed what to do when she was naughty and his response was I will do no punishment of any kind as I only want her to love me. Well to me teaching and guiding is love. He wouldn’t take her to the docs as that would effect there relationship etc.

he keeps saying on the phone now I can wait to show you around to my friends at work etc etc.

OP posts:
Mullingover · 25/05/2022 13:23

@AgentJohnson im not trying to diagnose him I’m just interested. I went no contact for almost 3 years and have a new relationship and a baby on the way. I’m just intrigued at how his relationship has started with our daughter again and the similarities I spot in how our relationship began and worked. He is treating her very similar to me.

OP posts:
Mullingover · 25/05/2022 13:26

Also the courts are kind of forcing me to promote this relationship between father and daughter and I find it hard knowing that really just like me she is being used. If I know more then I can help my daughter navigate it better.

OP posts:
SantiMakesMeLaugh · 25/05/2022 13:27

You’ll have to do a lot of work with your dd so she can protect herself from her dad….

Somethingneedstochange · 25/05/2022 13:39

Definitely narcissism it's like they have two sides but once you really get to know them you see what they're really like. The control if you describe that person to someone before they meet them they wouldn't believe you are talking about the same person. They make you out to be the bad one and expect a pity party. But also like to be the centre of attention and admired for everything they do and have.

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