When faced with a sociopath, prioritizing your own safety is essential.
Recently, I received a distressing call from a woman named Lisa, who was in a dire situation. She described being entangled with three sociopaths—her partner, her eldest child, and a man with whom she had an affair. Initially, her partner had even encouraged the affair but later left her, returned, and then began to undermine her relationships with family and friends. Her eldest child displayed violent behavior.
“You need to leave,” I urged her.
“I can’t,” she lamented. “I have no money; my partner has hidden the checkbook.”
“Is your name on the account?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Then go to the bank, take out some cash, and get out,” I instructed her.
As she continued to express her frustrations about her partner’s inability to address their child’s disrespect, I had to remind her, “Your partner is a sociopath. He won’t help you; you must leave.”
Despite my warnings, she mentioned an upcoming counseling session with her partner. “Why are you doing that?” I inquired. “It’s just another chance for him to manipulate you. Don’t go.”
Her response was alarming: “I’ll kill myself.”
Unfortunately, she chose not to follow my advice. She attended the counseling session, and the next morning, she contacted me in a panic.
“You need to leave,” I reiterated.
“Why should I be the one to leave when he’s the one abusing me?” she replied, then pleaded for assistance in seeking justice.
I’m not an investigator or a therapist, and all I could do was offer suggestions, which I had already done. Then she began to speak about suicide, saying she might arrange for someone to end her life.
Thankfully, another call interrupted our conversation, but I felt compelled to act. I reached out to her counselor, sharing my concerns about her suicidal thoughts, and contacted the authorities for her safety.
When Lisa called back, she was furious, having learned that I reported her situation. “I’m not suicidal!” she screamed.
“You just told me you were going to kill yourself,” I reminded her.
“I’m not suicidal!” she insisted before hanging up.
A wave of nausea washed over me as I realized the gravity of the situation. I feared that my intervention would only play into her partner’s hands, as he was already portraying her as unstable.
I can’t know for certain if every detail Lisa provided was accurate, but her experience reflects what many endure with sociopaths. Their manipulation can be so extreme that it may even lead to what Dr. Leedom refers to as “murder by suicide.”
Take Action to Protect Yourself
You cannot combat a sociopath by succumbing to hysteria. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, you must act swiftly. The longer you remain, the more depleted you will become, ultimately losing the ability to protect yourself. If you are reading this and in a similar situation, prioritize your safety—leave immediately. Your well-being is paramount, and while others can offer guidance, the responsibility to save yourself lies within you.
Additional Resources
For more insights into recognizing and navigating these complex dynamics, consider exploring resources such as Psychopaths and Love or Good Therapy. Additionally, you can gain further understanding through Out of the Fog, which offers valuable information about dealing with difficult personalities.
If you need to reach out, you can contact Chanci Idell Turner at 909-737-2855.
Stay vigilant and protect yourself from those who seek to harm.