By Amber Ault, Ph.D. One of the many difficult questions survivors of toxic relationships ask themselves is “why is it so hard to leave someone who treats me so badly?” As rational people, we recognize that a relationship is extremely problematic and believe that the rational course of action would be just to stop the drama. And yet. And yet, this is usually harder than it sounds. While there are practical and logistical barriers to people exiting, the emotional resistance to leaving is usually present even when there aren't kids or property or business deals or divorce laws slowing us down. What accounts for this? Why is it so common? Social science has some insights that …
7 reasons why sociopaths are hot in bed
"Best sex ever!" that's how countless Lovefraud readers have described sex with sociopaths. People have told me that they know the sociopath is bad for them, and they need to end their involvement, but they don't want to give up the sex! Other people have told me that they're afraid they'll never find another partner who is so sexually exciting! I specifically asked about sex in three Lovefraud surveys. How do people who were in romantic relationships with people whom they now believe to be sociopaths rate the sex? In the Romantic Partner Survey (2011) 75% reported the sex was extraordinary or satisfying, at least in the beginning. In the Female Sociopath Survey (2014-15), 84% …
3 sociopathic partners, one after the other
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Gianna." The first sociopath I met was most likely my ex husband. He did not show guilt nor remorse for his constant infidelity and apathy towards me for the 2 years that we were together. Finally when he found someone new, he agreed to an annulment, but it proved favourable to him because now he had a reason to do so because he got the girl pregnant and he could blame me for the annulment because in the years we were apart, I also had a relationship. And the full blame on the annulment was directed at me instead of him. For the relationship I had immediately after my ex husband, he showed all the …