To Male Victims of Female Narcissistic Partners

male-victim-narcissismMale victims of female narcissistic partners have a harder path to walk (than female victims) on the road to narcissist abuse recovery and here’s how I came to this conclusion:  In making this website, I take great pains in trying to address those topics related to narcissism that weigh the most heavily on the minds of my readers. To do this, I study the analytical data and statistics of the website itself on almost a daily basis. This data provides me with the gender of visitors, the demographics, the keyword search terms that visitors use, and a whole host of additional information. From the very beginning, I noticed something very interesting – and shocking – about the gender of my readers: a good portion were male.  And I’m not talking just a small percentage. I’m talking a percentage big enough that for me not to address the specific issue of male victims of female narcissist abuse would be not only unfair but completely hypocritical.

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So, that being said, I’ve written the following personal letter to all male victims who endure narcissist abuse at the hands of a female narcissist…all those males victims that visit numerous websites (including mine) looking for support on the subject of female narcissist partners, narcissist abuse, and narcissist recovery and who typically find nothing that speaks to them.

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To Male Victims of Female Narcissist Abusers:

First, let me apologize on behalf of all female victims, website bloggers, and authors of books on narcissism for perhaps the biggest “slap-in-the-face” we send to the male victim of narcissist abuse: the constant referral to the narcissistic partner as he and him. Although I do make a disclaimer as to this reference in my books and have, in fact, written a book (When Evil Is a Pretty Face) that specifically addresses the female narcissistic partner, it still must be painfully annoying and I’m sorry for that. Now, unfortunately, having said that, it’s doubtful that, at least online, this reference to the male gender will change anytime soon. The fact is that, at least for me, it’s simply easier to refer to all narcissists as he since 1) the majority of victims who speak out on the topic are indeed female and have suffered abuse at the hands of male narcissists, and 2) most narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths happen to be male, and 3) I speak from my own experience as a female victim. So, I hope you can forgive and see past all that when seeking comfort for your own abuse on my website and others. I, for one, can promise you that the reference isn’t personal.

Second, let me say that, after reading through letters and forum posts both on my site and on other sites from male victims, I get the sneaking suspicion that female narcissists, though smaller in number than their male counterparts, might very well be the leaders in the evil department – and there ‘s a logical reason why. Considering that women, as a whole, can be fairly cunning, imagine how sneaky a narcissistic female can be!  Male narcissists (MN), even while tormenting the female victim, still have to worry about maintaining the proper image in the global arena (i.e. outside world).  Female narcissists (FN), on the other hand, are keenly aware that females in general pull in far more sympathy from outsiders than even the most victimized male and so the load for the FN is much lighter. FNs, without the extra workload of having to instantly smooze anyone and everyone who might sympathize with their victim, may very well be naturally inclined to do the more evil of narcissistic deeds – whatever that may be.  Knowing how narcissists think, I can easily imagine an FN taunting a male partner with “Go ahead! Tell everyone that I vanished for six weeks and you caught me with someone else. I don’t care! All I have to do is cry a few tears and I’ll have the whole world believing that you are just a lazy, abusive dog and that I’m the victim! ” You get my point.  There are other reasons that lend themselves to the fact that female narcissists may be nastier and I promise to address this in future articles. For now, I want you to know that I do “get it”.

I must say that I’m very proud of the fact that when I do read letters/comments from male victims, the female victims on these sites step up to the challenge of being supportive. The truth is that I think most female victims feel as I do – that male victims are very isolated in this mess (as a whole) and do not have a whole lot of male-exclusive “victim” clubs to run to for support. Another truth is that, for the most part, female victims know that male narcissists – even though there are millions walking the planet – do not, exclusively, speak for the male population. We want to know that there are good guys out there! We want to know that the male gender can actually experience the heartbreak that we feel – that it’s actually possible. You won’t find female victims accusing you of whining, I’ll guarantee that. At the peak of our suffering, male victims are our only proof we have that good men even exist anymore! So, we want to hear from you! We want you to join the sisterhood!

My point in all of this is that I encourage you – the male victim of a narcissistic partner – to seek support among us. We are here to listen and to help. Narc abuse is unique in its passive-aggressive evilness. We know that you suffer through silent treatments and deliberate acts of chaos and gas lighting and co-dependency and all the types of manipulation that we suffer through. As I said before, we may even be inclined to believe that your specific degree of suffering is a tad worse. As for me, I definitely acknowledge the credit you deserve for putting up with the inevitable reference to narcissists as male because that is unlikely to change. This must always be a point of contention and the fact that male victims, for lack of a better place to go, even dare to brave the all-female forums to share your grief is admirable. Understand that female victims appreciate this fact and will recognize your sincerity.

To everyone, with the pain of a narcissistic discard often so indescribable that we feel nothing but isolation, all victims – male and female – are welcome on this website. Together, we can spread the word about narcissism, lighten the burden for victims who follow us, and hopefully get a handle on the madness.

Your friend,

Zari

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293 Comments

  • Henry

    July 9, 2021 at 12:28 pm Reply

    My wife basically destroyed and took my entire life. I’m living homeless, trying to survive, while dealing with round 3 of criminal charges she had me arrested for, even though she admitted that the first 2 were wrong, and she shouldn’t have done it. I finally managed to be allowed to live at home again after 8 months and less than 24hours later she said she hadn’t wanted me home so soon. A week or so later she told me “I will have you removed again, you’ll see, you won’t be here long” so on Valentine’s day 2020 she did it again. And I’ve been able to see 4 our of our kids once, and two of them twice, since then. It’s July 2021 now, and all signs point to her not wanting me back at all, even though she says she loves me and wants to be together. She has displayed most of what is considered narcissistic behavior and bipolar Disorder, among others. She has no regard for what this does to our family or the kids. Her family is pushing for us to be apart and she listens to everyone else, even when she knows they’re lying about something, and she uses everything against me. Since our last child was born, I haven’t been able to do or say anything right. She has a problem with every single thing I do or say. She denies everything and anything. She doesn’t care how much she lies, to me, or anyone else. Whatever keeps her out of trouble and from having to deal with her actions. She would lock me out of the house for the night sometimes, no matter how cold it was. I live in Ontario Canada. I once spent the night in the garage when the temperature was minus 42 Celsius with the windchill. The garage is not insulated and is very drafty, and al I had was a small kerosene heater. And she did that often. Then she sent word to my manager at work that I was not sleeping and often staying out all night. I lost my job of 22 years soon after. One week later I was arrested for assault. And she agreed that I wasn’t guilty of assault. But she didn’t change her statement and tried to blackmail me with another accusation if I didn’t plead guilty. I refused, and she did it a second time. When I was home for 2 weeks in February 2020, she kept saying how happy she was before I came home again. And she has turned the kids and even my own family against me. I basically have nobody.
    When I read other people’s stories about their experiences, it’s like reading my own. The is often one difference, but I’d say 95% is usually the same. And yes, we hurt too. I have always been more open about feelings and emotions and things like that than my wife, and I saw there was a problem and tried to work on our differences, but she refused. She’d say there was nothing to talk about or nothing was wrong. Then suddenly, everything was wrong and she made it public instead of talking to me. She accused me of things she did and does, and she is the one who creates the turmoil, and will follow me when I walk away, and won’t stop, until she has something to make me look bad for. She is the violent one. And she has the kids. She made me out to be a horrible father and husband. She has the house, my tools and equipment that I often need, but I can’t access them. She still controls so much of my life and it makes me feel sick every day. Sometimes it feels like my heart is literally being ripped out of my chest. My hair is going white rapidly and i’m 40. She used to be on antidepressants and going to counseling, which was helping, until her family decided it was not necessary. She has never been diagnosed with anything and I doubt she will be anytime soon, unless something happens that leaves her no choice but to finally go see a doctor about her behavior. After the first arrest I went to our family doctor for help, but she had beaten me there and turned him against me too.
    I want to forgive her and be together again, for the kids sake at least. And we can be good together, but it’s not looking too hopeful. I don’t know what to think anymore. I have tried to get a little hope or something from her through others, but she gives me the opposite every time. Maximum damage and hurt, every time. I don’t know how people can do this to anyone. To their own children. The spouse they vowed to love honor and support for life. After the first arrest, she promised to do whatever it takes to be a good wife to me. But this is what I get instead. She doesn’t seem to feel any real remorse, and has no problem going to bed angry. She expects me to forgive her for everything with apology, and never let’s me off the hook for anything I ever did. She uses it over and over again no matter how many times I have asked her to forgive me.
    Thanks for giving me a chance to talk about this. There really is next to no support for men in this area, and no one believes me anyway. Not the police, or social workers, people in general, as if they simply don’t believe me because of the extreme nature of what I say happened to me. I spend my weekends on a dirt road while my wife and kids go to family functions and gatherings.
    Hopefully she and her family don’t come across this, or I’ll get it some way or another. If I dare say anything about this, they get furious.

    • Zari Ballard

      August 18, 2021 at 1:38 pm Reply

      Hi Henry, I am so sorry for your situation and I apologize that I didn’t see it sooner. It’s time to make a final break. There is no “staying in it for the children” when you are involved and even married to a narc. Being sent to freeze in the garage, having the cops called left and right, and losing one’s job after 22 years…all three reasons to have left long ago. Please do not give up on yourself. Everything she has done is unforgivable. I hope you can get back on your feet in some way and just get on with your life. If you’re afraid of being alone, well, you already are and if you make it official, that you are never going back for more abuse, things will get better. Blessings to you, my friend….

  • David

    March 20, 2021 at 9:55 pm Reply

    I have been living in this hell for far too long. We’ve been married 13 years, have 3 daughters, but I’m older and wiser now (courage) and I can’t take it anymore. I know I’ve been covering it up. I am married to whom I feel like is the epitome of a female narcissist. I started putting my foot down late last year. Our family life (house) is riddled with tension, anxiety, and her explosive anger is off the chart. It is very scary for our girls. I feel like I’m constantly shaking now. My confidence level is like a roller coaster, and she’s only becoming more aggressive. Very few would believe me. My wife is seen as this “big-hearted best person I know” and “you’re so lucky to be married to her” narcissist. It sickens me. I can’t even type correctly or speak clearly right now.
    I need a group badly, and of course seeing a therapist right now (Covid) is practically impossible given the high volume that’s seeking treatment. They are all booked solid. This is like prison. Mental torment. The things she has said to me, under breath, at the most opportune times, is unbelievable. You can’t even believe some would speak in such a way to inflict that type of harm. Nobody sees it. She is a master at it. I can go on and on. Thankful for running into your letter to men.

  • Michelle Willis

    June 28, 2020 at 6:49 pm Reply

    What about when it’s a sister abusing her brother, who is so co-dependent he refuses to see it?

    • Zari Ballard

      July 4, 2020 at 11:17 pm Reply

      Hi Michelle,

      Well, that’s tricky to say the least and since I don’t know whether you know the sister or the brother or both, it’s hard to tell you which way to go. If the sister is a narc, then she is typically the “Golden Child” of the family or whomever is the narcissistic parent. Whatever you do, do it gently so that they don’t dismiss right away. Gently lead the brother in that direction and if it’s the sister you know, then you could stand up for the brother or question her behavior but you may lose your spot in her ear simply because she’s a narc. Good luck to you on this one:)

  • Paul Price

    January 23, 2020 at 9:17 pm Reply

    I have been searching for genuine support regarding my own deconstruction at the hands of a narcisistic wife. The fact that my own search yielded next to nothing to read, learn, or understand about being a Male Victim of a Narcisistic Female, is in direct correlation with the absence of voice that we encounter when we have finally built enough courage to peak over the walls that silence us.
    I know my own personal experience has been to climb back down and run back to my cell, since my peak over the wall made me more likely to report a bigfoot sighting than to share what it is like to be a married male victim.

    • Zari Ballard

      February 18, 2020 at 12:42 am Reply

      Hi Paul, I am so sorry you are hurting but I am grateful you found your way to my website. Please consider booking some time with me, brother. Don’t be afraid to share, brother. I have much sympathy for all male victims of female narcs…and especially for the mental anguish of a married male victim. Holy smokes…how are you standing up??? I imagine she has found a multitude of ways to torture you considering the situation. I talk to plenty of men who have felt isolated, on the outside looking in. You CAN get through it and I’d be happy to help you. Think about it…I am here to support you….you can always contact me via my email and we’ll work out a game plan:)

  • William

    January 11, 2020 at 4:45 pm Reply

    Do you know of any supper groups for male victims in the Orange County, California area? It seems like a hard group to find.

    • Zari Ballard

      February 18, 2020 at 2:06 am Reply

      Hi William…I don’t but listen, go to Meetup.com for Orange County and search “narcissist support group” or something similar or support groups for me and see what comes up. They have at least one meet-up group if not many more in every city on every topic imaginable. It’s a start and if you can’t find one for just guys, take a chance on whatever one you see. When we dealt with a narc, it doesn’t matter if we’re male or female, we’re all hangin’ in the same boat. Meet-ups are great because there’s no obligation. Give it a try brother. And you can always book a little time with me and I’d love to chat with you. You guys suffer even more than we do because of the lack of support. I am aware of this and want so much to change it. Good luck and I’m here if you need me:)

  • Dumb Bitch

    November 27, 2019 at 8:13 pm Reply

    “I must say that I’m very proud of the fact that when I do read letters/comments from male victims, the female victims on these sites step up to the challenge of being supportive.” You’re a fucking narcissist. Shut the fuck up. Case in point, this post won’t efface you, so it’ll be deleted.

    • Zari Ballard

      February 18, 2020 at 4:45 pm Reply

      Hi Dumb Bitch…sorry it has taken me so long to get your comment posted. Still trying to catch up. The whole point of the post is that we should all work together. And since it is far more difficult for men to get support in these matters, the fact that women step up to help is really awesome for all parties involved. Not sure who you were responding to but of course I would put up your comment because everyone needs to know the nonsense that is out there. However, I have to give credit where credit is due. By using the moniker “Dumb Bitch”, at least you are being honest about who you are and what you stand for. Thank you for writing!

  • Uriel

    October 19, 2019 at 12:31 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for acknowledging and recognizing the pain that we go through. I’m not at all surprised that it’s worse. And I can’t wait to hear the reasons and your justifications. And with said, I will read your article.

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