4 Positive Character Traits of Yours That a Narcissist Is Using Against You Right Now!

Dont employ these four positive character traits when you're in love with, work for, were parented by, or are friends (frenemies) with a Narcissist:

1. An abundance of empathy.
2. A strong desire to rescue and help.
3. A willingness to try harder to make the relationship work.
4. A strong sense of responsibility.

These are admirable and useful traits when offered to normal people who don't have the traits that typify a Narcissist.

Narcissist Traits

• Interpersonally exploitative.
• Lacking empathy: unwilling or unable to recognize the feelings and needs of others.
• Negative reaction to criticism (they can interpret us asking to have our needs met as criticism.)
• Difficulty in admitting mistakes or taking responsibility for their bad behavior.
• Using fear to control people.

An example from my long-ago Asshatastic narcissistic relationship.

My live-in boyfriend didn't come until 7 a.m. from a "boys night out." I was prepared to have it out with him. Get him to admit that he was cheating so I'd have the proof I needed to break up with him.

Instead. He came home and grilled me. Did I call his friend Colin at 4 a.m. to find out where he was?

(Controlling me by making me fearful I'd done something wrong.)

Yes, I did call Colin.

(My strong misplaced sense of responsibility kicked in. I began to doubt. Maybe it was my fault he stayed out all night because I was always trying to track him down?)

It's no wonder, he said, that he couldn't commit to a woman who behaves like 'white trash.' If I could just trust him, he said, and quit trying to control him, his bad behavior would stop.

My abundance of empathy and need to try harder kicked in. I forgave him for staying out all night, because maybe I was a shrew who made him want to rebel.

So, I'd just have to try harder to put up with his inconsistency, unreliability and (if I could set denial aside) his infidelities.

And since he was tired from his night out he "really didn't want to discuss our relationship right then."

(My desire to rescue and help kicked in and I let him off the hook. At least I didn't make him breakfast!)

How can you protect yourself when you're in a relationship with a Narcissist?

One who uses your positive character traits against you.

1. Learn, then tattoo all the narcissistic personality traits in a location on your body where you can see them (for me it would be my tummy).
2. Get into recovery for codependency. (Twelve-step recovery is amazing).
3. Use emotional detachment to stop trying to manipulate, rescue, fix or people-please the Narcissist.
4. Never reveal what hurts you or makes you feel vulnerable to a Narcissist. (This one's a Biggie!)

Dr. Athena Staik Phd writes,"Expressing vulnerable emotions is vital to life balance and peace of mind, but do so only with safe others never a narcissist."A narcissist literally uses this information to get into your mind, instilling fear to steal your sense of self, by crippling your brains capacity to clearly think."That means, while youre pouring your heart and spilling your guts, the narcissist youre talking to, like a mad scientist, listens only to gather data (...) to execute strategies to exploit and take possession of your mind, heart, soul for his (her) gain alone."

Keep An Eye Out

If you think you're involved in the quagmire that is a relationship with a Narcissist master relationship coach Shannon Colleary will be offering 10 people Free Breakthrough Sessions in late July or early August.

Opt-in to her free updates for ongoing relationship advice and to be aware of upcoming events. You can also purchase her book; She Dated the Asshats, But Married the Good Guy: How to Go from Toxic Love to Real Love in 12 Exercises HERE!