Our lawyers know that no divorce is easy. However, if you are divorcing a narcissist then there are some additional issues that you may encounter. Understanding what narcissism is and what to expect from divorcing a narcissist can be really helpful. It helps set your expectations and can also aid in developing the right strategy for your case.

Knowing Whether Your Spouse Is A Narcissist

The word ‘narcissist has been thrown around a lot more often in public dialogue, over the last few years’. Some have speculated whether certain powerful people may/may not have the disorder, other people have used the term as an insult during messy breakups/arguments. 

However, it is important to know that real narcissism is actually a mental health issue, not just a personality trait.

The Mayo Clinic defines narcissism as:

“… A mental health condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that is vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”

Some symptoms you can expect to see in a narcissist are: 

• Exaggerated self-importance
• Entitlement
• A need for constant attention/admiration
• Superiority complex
• Reduce the ability to see/consider other people’s feelings
• A desire to have the best of everything
• Trouble handling criticism
• Trouble regulating emotions/behaviour

Only a doctor can diagnose narcissistic personality disorder. But, if you think you are married to a narcissist there are ways you might be able to obtain medical records to confirm the diagnosis. 

What To Expect From A Narcissist During Divorce

As you might expect from the above symptoms, narcissists struggle to manage their emotions, plus they find it particularly difficult when their imperfections are exposed. Divorce could shine a light on the narcissist’s worst traits, it could also make them feel like they have failed, which could cause them to lash out. To retaliate, they might try to belittle you, expose your flaws, or blame the divorce on you, so you should be prepared to deal with these emotions. 

When divorcing a narcissist you should be prepared for a fight at every stage of the battle. A narcissist might expect special treatment, they might want to be able to control everything and they won’t want to lose, so it could be a difficult battle.

In the end, the only way to divorce a narcissist is to get through it. If you want out of your relationship, you need to complete the divorce process from start to finish, tackling any issues along the way head-on. You should be upfront and honest with your divorce lawyer, so they can know what to expect from your ex-partner. 

If you want to divorce a narcissist, our lawyers can help. Just get in touch to find out more about our experience and expertise.