Consequences
I did nothing wrong
People with a personality disorders have an inability to understand the consequences of
their actions. Antisocials and narcissists seem to be completely deficient in
understanding causation, whereas histrionics and borderlines understand it but
project responsibility: It wasn't because I was drinking and driving, that tree
was in the wrong place. They substitute reasons, instead of A causing B, suddenly C
is responsible for B. They rationalize causation based on the façade of their present
state of mind--which they may not realize is a façade. They are also skilled in offering
reasons that are socially acceptable or understood. Consider the some of the standard
neutrally blameless excuses for divorce.
- We grew apart.
- We are not in-love anymore.
- We make better friends than lovers.
- We just can't live with each other.
- We need our space.
- It's just not working anymore.
Exposure of the incongruity is possible when comparing the rationalization with the
behaviours. Denial enables them to believe in the validity of their reasons.
Some people consider repetitious behaviour evidence of insanity. But is anything ever
really the same? Conditions may seem the same; the butterfly effect begins with an
unnoticeable flutter of a wing and yet it can change worlds. One stock IPO may appear
to have identical conditions to another that soared, but something is different.
Some receive a high from behaviour with a risk of negative consequences; others
in desperation for this time to be the one where things turn out continue to rely
on hope without considering the changes they need to make to realize what they want.
For most people experience is the great educator, teaching consequences through
successes and failures. People with PDs fail to learn from their experiences that
produce negative consequences and yet learn to repeat experiences that produce
positive results--or results that are positive to them. Their exclusive focus on
themselves makes them unable to realize the devastation their actions bring to others.
The only consequences they fear are how someone reactively might damage them, they give
no consideration if the perceived consequence is damaging to others but not themselves.
Some--most likely APDs and NPDs--find the possibility of negative results a challenge
and therefore exciting. When consequences do start to catch up, they seek escape so
they can start over without facing the consequences.
_______________________________________
Review Elisabeth Kübler Ross's stages of grief again.
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
These stages are not only for those dealing with the loss of a loved one to death,
but may also be experienced in other life circumstances. MLC begins with Separation
and progresses through to Liminality, Rebirth and Reintegration. These are also the
stages of a midlifer whose transition does not become a crisis. Why do some experience
a crisis? Why are some crises more severe? A midlife transition may be a difficult and
painful experience without approaching crisis levels, but what makes some tip the scales?
It is not the fault of the OW. Personality Disordered OW or not, an MLCers' crisis
belongs to him and there is nothing a spouse or anyone else can or should do to stop
it. But an OW with a personality disorder explains many of the behaviours, and may
explain why some linger and seem stuck for long periods in Replay and Liminality.
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