Do narcissists quickly forget their exes? What are the narcissistic patterns with regard to exes?
Answered by Dr. Elinor Greenberg
Most Narcissists have a pattern and they usually stick to it. I have spoken about this in other answers, but I will give a quick review here of some common Narcissistic patterns with regard to exes.
1. Big Game Hunters:
Once they bag you, and have figuratively mounted your head on their trophy wall, they lose all interest in you. Narcissists are too busy hunting their next trophy to even remember your name. If you thought you were in a serious relationship, you were mistaken.
2. The Romantics:
Narcissists will treasure the good memories and even talk with other people about how perfect the good times were with you. It all looks better in the rearview mirror than it actually was when you were together. All this, unfortunately, does not do the ex any good because even if they came back, they would leave you again….and again. They are in love with the idea of love and not you.
Related: 3 Dead Giveaways Of How Narcissists Act In Romantic Relationships
3. The Recyclers:
They have a group of willing lovers who they tend to cycle through repetitively. When they get bored or angry with you, they move on to the next person in the group. This narcissistic pattern can go on forever. I have known situations like this that lasted so long that all the exes got to know each other and sometimes even socialized and commiserated with each other.
Related: 22 Things The Injured Narcissist Says and What They Really Mean
Whether your ex will think about you later depends on his or her pattern. However, as Narcissists cannot do without narcissistic supplies, they are likely to think of you most when they need a boost to their ego or are lonely and horny. And, if you are honest with yourself, that is when you are likely to be thinking about them as well.
Do you want to know if you’re dating a Narcissist? Watch this interesting video:
Could you relate with these narcissistic patterns? Leave a comment below:
Elinor Greenberg, PhD, CGP
In private practice in NYC and the author of the book: Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration, and Safety.
Written by Elinor Greenberg, Ph.D.
Originally appeared in Quora
Share on
Yes a lot of those sounded very similar to the way my husband acts. But I am a very shy and secluded person and have never stood up for myself for the reason of avoiding conflict. He is my fourth husband, first was a alcoholic and very abusive mentally and physically, I lived in hell for 18 years, 2nd husband threw me away like yesterday’s trash just to move someone who I thought was my friend in, 3rd husband cheated and passed from cancer and I spilled my guts to this one about what all I been through and he gave me his word that I would never have to go through that ever again, and I believed him. In the beginning he was perfect but now I get the feeling he doesn’t want to be around me. I need some advice/help. Please I don’t know if this is what he might be.