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Family and Divorce law in South Africa - A Comprehensive Guide
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HOW SHOULD ONE DEAL WITH A narcissist spouse?

How should you deal with a Narcissist Spouse?


A narcissist is a person who exhibits narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). This is a mental health condition characterized by an excessive sense of self-importance, an extreme need for admiration and attention, and a lack of empathy for others.

People with NPD often have an inflated sense of their own importance and may see themselves as superior to others. They may have grandiose fantasies about their own achievements and abilities, and may expect to be treated as special or entitled. They may also be preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or attractiveness.

At the same time, people with NPD often have a deep-seated need for admiration and attention from others, and may feel threatened or envious when they do not receive it. They may also be prone to anger or aggression when they feel their needs are not being met, or when they feel they are not being given the recognition or attention they believe they deserve.

Narcissistic personality disorder can cause significant problems in a person's personal and professional relationships, as well as their overall functioning. It is important for individuals with NPD to seek treatment in order to address their symptoms and improve their relationships and overall quality of life.

Dealing with a narcissist in a marriage can be challenging, as people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) often have difficulty with empathy and may be unwilling or unable to consider the needs and feelings of others. However, there are some strategies that you can try if you are in a marriage with a narcissist:
​
  1. Set boundaries: It is important to establish clear boundaries in your relationship with a narcissist. This may involve setting limits on what you are willing to tolerate in terms of behavior, communication, and treatment. Communicate your boundaries clearly and consistently, and be prepared to enforce them if necessary.
  2. Seek support: It can be helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist to help you cope with the challenges of being in a relationship with a narcissist. A therapist can also help you develop coping strategies and work through any negative emotions you may be experiencing.
  3. Take care of yourself: It is important to prioritize your own well-being when dealing with a narcissist. Make sure to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health, and make time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
  4. Consider therapy: Therapy can be an effective way to address the challenges of being in a relationship with a narcissist. A therapist can help you understand the dynamics of the relationship and work with you to develop strategies for improving communication and coping with the behavior of your spouse.
  5. Seek mediation or legal help: If your relationship with a narcissist is causing significant problems and you are unable to resolve conflicts on your own, it may be necessary to seek the help of a mediator or legal professional. This can be especially important if you have children together and need to work out custody or other arrangements.

It's important to recognize that being in a relationship with a narcissist can be emotionally draining and challenging. If you are struggling to cope, it may be necessary to seek outside help in order to protect your own well-being.

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Contact Details

​MAURICE PHILLIPS WISENBERG
20th Floor, 2 Long  Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 419 7115
Email: familylaw(@)mpw.co.za​


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Email: familylaw@mpw.co.za
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Twitter: @bertuspreller

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Legal Notices
  • Home
  • Divorce
    • The Reasons for Divorce
    • The Divorce Process in South Africa
    • Rule 41A Mediation
    • The Marital Property Regimes >
      • Marriage out of Community of Property, new case
      • Marriage in Community of Property
      • Marriage out of community without accrual >
        • Understanding Post-1984 Marriages
      • Marriage out of community with the inclusion of the accrual
      • Anti-Dissipation Interdicts Divorce
      • Universal Partnerships
      • Antenuptial Contracts
      • Register Antenuptial Contract Online
      • Changing your matrimonial regime.
      • Postnuptial Contracts
    • Division of Assets at Divorce >
      • Forfeiture of Assets in a Divorce
    • Evicting your spouse divorce
    • Retirement Funds and Divorce
    • Living Annuities
    • Hiding Assets in a Divorce
    • Trusts and Divorce >
      • Can I hide assets in Trust?
    • Divorce a Missing Spouse
    • Adultery and Suing a Third Party
    • Domicile in Divorce Cases
    • International Divorces in South Africa
    • Expat South African Divorce
    • International Jurisdiction
    • Spousal Visas
    • International Divorce Law >
      • UK Divorce Laws
    • Choosing a Divorce Attorney
    • On-line Divorce
    • Lawyer Fees and Costs
    • Important Aspects of a Divorce
    • Divorcing a Narcistic Spouse
    • Dealing with Emotions During Divorce and Separation
    • Divorce Statistics
    • Divorce Therapy and Counselling >
      • Marriage and Relationship Therapists
    • Rebuilding Your Financial Life
    • Divorce Attorney Cape Town
    • Ingredients of a successful relationship
    • What are the elements of a successful marriage?
    • Uncontested Divorce
    • Uncontested Divorce - What Happens on the Court Day?
  • Maintenance
    • Spousal maintenance
    • How to calculate Child Maintenance?
    • Maintenance Defaulters
    • What Happens if you don't pay child maintenance
    • Child Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions
    • Rule 43 Interim Maintenance Pending Divorce >
      • Can I appeal a Rule 43 Order
      • Apply for Costs in Rule 43
      • Financial Disclosure Rule 43
      • Rule 43 Maintenance
    • The Maintenance Manual
    • Grand Parents and Maintenance
    • Variation of Maintenance due to loss of employment
    • Contempt of Court Maintenance
  • Children
    • Section 28 of the Children's Act
    • Relocation and Child Abduction >
      • Frequently Asked Questions about Child Relocation
      • Child Relocation to New Zealand
    • The Hague Convention >
      • Child Participation in South African Family Law and the Hague Convention
      • International Child Custody Law South Africa
      • Hague Applications and Domestic Violence
      • Mirror Orders and the Hague Convention
      • Tips on international child custody
    • Unmarried Parents and the Law
    • Unmarried Fathers Rights
    • Parenting Plans >
      • Parenting Plan
      • Conflict and dispute-resolution mechanisms
    • The non-custodian parent and contact
    • Appointing a Guardian in a Will
    • Introducing a new partner to your child
    • Refusal of Contact
    • Suspending Parental Rights
    • The Law on Grandparents Rights over Children
    • Parental Alienation >
      • Alienating Children
      • Parental Alienation Imprisonment
      • What is the effect of Parental Alienation on children?
    • Living Arrangements
    • What effect does divorce have on children?
    • The Voice of the Child in Divorce
    • Facilitation
    • Joint decisions about your child
    • Paternity Disputes
    • The Family Advocate
    • Parenting during separartion
    • Children's Act 38 of 2005
  • Abuse
    • South Africa GBV Bail Law Changes 2021-2025 Complete Guide
    • Domestic Violence Legislation and Case Law
    • The New Domestic Violence Act 14 of 2021
    • Gender Based Violence in South Africa
    • Domestic Abuse Forms
    • Evicting a Spouse
    • Being married to a Narcissist.
    • Divorcing an Abusive Spouse
    • What is Coercive Control?
    • What is Emotional Abuse
    • What is Sexual Abuse
    • What is Financial Abuse >
      • Economic Abuse
    • What is Stalking
    • What is Verbal Abuse
    • What is Spiritual Abuse
    • What is Social Abuse
    • Revenge Porn
    • Interdict Intimate photos
    • Steps to obtain a Protection Order
    • Domestic Violence eBook
    • The Protection Order
    • Who Qualifies for a Protection Order
    • Breaching a Protection Order
    • Questions on Domestic Abuse
    • Signs of an Abusive Relationship
    • Domestic Violence Information
    • Harassment >
      • Harassment Forms
  • Cohabitation
    • Universal Partnerships in South African Cohabitation
    • Maintenance and Cohabitation
    • Interim Maintenance and Cohabitation
    • Sample Cohabitation Agreement
    • Engagement and the law
  • Formalities for marriage in south africa
    • South Africa's New Marriage Bill: A Step Towards Equality and Inclusion
    • Same Sex
  • Family Law eBooks
  • Family Law Links
    • The South African Court System
    • Court Rolls
    • Family Law Legislation
    • Family Law Blog
    • New Family Law Cases
    • Register for the Online Family Law Course
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Charities