Plenty of scientific researchers have studied psychopaths. But few have studied the victims of psychopaths, so there is little documentation of what we have all been through.
Perhaps that is beginning to change.
Lovefraud has been contacted by a researcher from Carleton University in Ottowa, Ontario, Canada. She is conducting a study entitled Victimization, coping, and social support of adult survivors of psychopaths. The graduate student is working under the supervision of Dr. Adelle Forth, who is a colleague of Dr. Robert Hare.
The purpose of the study is “to gain an understanding of the victimization experiences of adult (18+) survivors of psychopaths, in an attempt to raise awareness amongst the general public, and mental health and criminal justice professionals.”
Everyone at Lovefraud is invited to participate.
The researcher has developed a web-based survey. The survey has both self-report scales and open-ended questions. You will be asked to rate the presence or absence of psychopathic traits of the most recent psychopathic individual you have been involved with on one scale. Questions revolve around demographics, your relationship and experiences with the psychopath, including being deceived and its impact on your mental and physical health, your ways of coping, and your support networks. The survey does not ask for any information that might identify you.
Completing the survey will take approximately one hour, and Lovefraud strongly encourages you to participate. If you are concerned about your safety, please be sure to take appropriate precautions.
Here—finally—is a chance to develop information that may make a difference in how victims of psychopaths are viewed and treated. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity.
Data is being collected from now until Dec. 31, 2008. Be sure to add your voice.
Wini
Indigoblue: I thought we agreed it was acct # evil as 7734?
blondie
looking back, i really loved that bad man. i dont miss him today, i miss what i thought he was. i find that he really changed me. i find myself so much more aware of the people i meet, and there actions. i have no clue what kinda of person i want to date. im confused about my own feelings. i really thought i was going to marry him. happy i didt but my dreams are still shattered. its going on 5 months and i still have good days and bad.
Indigoblue
Pay PAL Acct.# 666
Wini
Hi Blondie: Sorry to hear that you are waffling this weekend. It’s OK … it takes time.
I had no clue it was only 5 months for you … you seem like you were longer NC than that … I thought it was a couple of years for you … mmmmhhhhhh, you’re doing better than I would have thought for only being 5 months.
Peace.
Indigoblue
where is henry????
Wini
Indi, Henry is probably walking his 3 puppies… it’s not like having snakes wrapped around you (LOL).
Ox Drover
Dear Blondie,
Wini is right. sweetie, you are making remarkably good and fast progress. The ups and downs are normal and they will go on once in a while for a while yet I imagine, but less frequently and less “down”—you are getting there!!! Happiness kind of ‘sneaks up on” you, and one day you just realize that you are not in pain any more and that things are actually good and you are happy again. i don’t know if that makes any sense, but that’s the way it happened to me.
Blondie, I can only tell you that I am happier today than I have been in years and years! In the end, the P’s did me a favor! They made me look inside myself and realize what i wanted, and that I am not on this earth simply to meet their needs and to please them. They made me finally realize that I have a lot more worth than to be their victims, to be their slaves. i realize now that my happiness depends only on ME. no one can give it to me, and no one can take it away unless i allow it.
((((blondie)))))
Stargazer
Here’s a hug for you too, Blondie (((hug))). Seems I went through my last painful episode of longing about a month ago, and now it is an occasional dull ache. It will get better for you, too, I know.
blondie
did you ever feel like you where never going to be comfortable with someone else? i still just feel so wierd going on dates. i cant image dating someone else, not that i want my ex back b/c i dont im much happier since the end of that relationship, i just cant image me dating somone else.. ahhh the life after the sociopath…..
blondie
thanks for the hugs 🙂