Editor’s note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we’ll call, Marsha21. She believes her son is a sociopath, and describes his behavior from childhood to the present. Donna Andersen responds to her questions after her letter. I think my son is a sociopath. I say this with heaviness in my heart. Saying it out loud makes me sound like a terrible mother. I often chastise myself as to where I went wrong, how I could have done better, I take the blame. I’m still not entirely convinced that he is, but I do know there is something definitely wrong with him (his whole life). Even as a young child, I think he was manipulating me. Besides the “normal” things kids some …
Why I wrote, ‘Bow Down B**ch!’
Editor's note: Lovefraud offers authors who write about their experience with sociopaths an opportunity to tell the Lovefraud community about their books. Aleena Grace Barteau wrote, "Bow Down B**ch! — Being a Fool, Loving a Liar; under the controlling power of an abusive man," which is available on Amazon. By Aleena Grace Barteau My abuser is a sociopath. I had never heard the term before until one day when I met with my counselor in a desperate attempt to “fix” the relationship—because I loved my abuser so much. My therapist, who had a Ph.D. in psychology, had been working with the two of us. After spending much time with us both, running some psychological tests on my partner, and o …
My story of psychological abuse and coercive control
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story about psychological abuse and coercive control from a reader whom we'll call Abigal21. Names and locations are changed. So, it was 2013, I met up with my friend for her birthday, she had invited her ‘friend’ a guy she sort of used to see. She said, can you hang out with David because he doesn’t know anyone here and it’s awkward because I am with my boyfriend … I said okay I guess …… I wasn’t in the best state of mind as I had recently broken up with a guy who was becoming abusive (I had a habit of attracting these guys … I now realize.). So David and I end up talking, exchange numbers and start dating. According to him he is single, …
My story of psychological abuse and coercive controlRead More
With the sociopath, I went from stability to homelessness
Editor’s note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we’ll call Abby21. She describes how, after the sociopath came into her life, she went from stability to homelessness. After my father’s death in 2000 is when I became involved with a sociopath. Now I can look back and clearly see my vulnerability and why I was targeted. I was 30 years old and at the age of 16 actually babysat for him and his second wife, who was the bridesmaid in his first wife’s wedding. He has two children by his first wife and he felt he had to marry because at 17 she became pregnant and three boys from his second wife who according to him cheated on him and that is why they divorced. But rumor …
With the sociopath, I went from stability to homelessnessRead More
I was trapped by sociopathic abuse and domestic violence
Editor’s note: Lovefraud received the following story of abuse and domestic violence from a young woman whom we’ll call “Kassandra21.” I became host to a parasitic sociopath that eventually entrapped me by getting me pregnant, abused my oldest child psychologically and physically and was eventually arrested. It all happened so fast that by the time I understood what was happening my life was a total train wreck. My vulnerabilities made me weaker due to my drug and alcohol use, I was way too accepting of people, loved to love people, yet was unloving to myself. I also had my own place, kids, a car and income, and also partied, did drugs and had meaningless sex encounters. I was comple …
I was trapped by sociopathic abuse and domestic violenceRead More
Sociopathic manipulation in divorce and child support
Editor’s note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we’ll call, “Sally21.” She tells a typical story (unfortunately) of sociopathic manipulation in divorce and child support. I have been divorced for 5 years, was in relationship with N/S (narcissistic sociopath) for over 20 years and it took me at least 10 to find the courage to leave and start over. I have always been very outspoken, intellectual, and fearless. I came from a dysfunctional background but did extensive counseling to become healthy AND pursued educational degree last in both Psychology and Sociology. To no avail...I still married a N/S. I knew from the beginning something was wrong. There were 2 (t …
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Highflying sociopath who cheats internationally
Editor’s note: Lovefraud received the following email from a reader whom we’ll call, “Molly.“ She, unfortunately, met a sociopath who cheats internationally. I met this guy online. In a week he had booked his flight from Scotland to see me in Ireland. He told me I was exactly what he was looking for. At 47 he had already been married and divorced twice and had an 18 year old son. He had a highflying job going to work via helicopter so it was all very romantic. He claimed to have depression and anxiety. The day my mum died instead of coming to her funeral he flew his other woman to Barcelona to a 4-star hotel for 5 days over Valentine's. When he got back 5 days later, he finished with …
The sex was odd; then he was charged with assault and rape
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from the reader Runfree51. With her ex, she says, the sex was odd. After they split he was charged with assault and rape. I met the father of my boy on a dating site. I was 43 and he was 49. Everything happened very fast, we met after chatting for a week, and he moved in a few weeks later. I don't see myself as stupid or anything but I allowed it to happen, him moving in. I saw red flags but I was having such a lovely time, I thought I could handle it. The arrangement for him to move in was clear, that it was more for the financial reason as we hardly knew each other so if it didn't work out romantically, or anyway, he would just …
The sex was odd; then he was charged with assault and rapeRead More
I dated an athletic, rich, gorgeous guy who led a double life
Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Constance21" about the man she dated — a gorgeous guy who led a double life. I met my partner at age 31, just when I'd almost given upon finding true love. He checked all the boxes and then some. I gloated with pride whenever people asked if he had any brothers or friends like him. Tall, 6-pack, former college athlete, millionaire parents, corporate finance executive, dressed like he stepped out from a page of GQ, quiet, no known vices, never been married and had no kids, and lastly had a soft spot for rescue dogs. Too good to be true you say? Had I known then what I know now, I'd be $50,000 richer and wouldn't h …
I dated an athletic, rich, gorgeous guy who led a double lifeRead More
I am embarrassed about falling for his lies
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story by a reader whom we'll call, "Cindy21." She was with a man who manipulated and swindled her for 10 years, and she is embarrassed about falling for his lies. My story runs the course of 10 years. It involves two cancers, a motor vehicle accident, MS and much heartache. He stole my home and had me finance a business that I was 95% owner to 5% and when my daughter was critically ill and I had no money he threw me out. He said if I didn't sign a contract for $60,000 to buy me out of a home I had over $100,000 and a business that at the time was grossing 300,000, that as he put "If you don't do it you get nothing b*tch." Over the …