Dr. Kerry McAvoy joins me to discuss the most confusing and painful parts of surviving a relationship with someone who has Cluster B traits, including narcissistic, antisocial, borderline, and histrionic personality disorders.
We explore:
- The neurological and psychological reasons why people with Cluster B disorders don’t change
- Why survivors feel crazy, confused, and exhausted—and why that’s by design
- How splitting, emotional dysregulation, and weaponized remorse show up in real relationships
- The difference between low capacity and emotional immaturity vs. willful abuse
- How to tell if the “person you miss” was ever real—or just the hook
- Why grief work is essential when letting go of the fantasy version of who you thought they were
Dr. Kerry offers insight from both her clinical background and lived experience. If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why won’t they change?” or “Was any of it real?”—this episode will help you understand why the answer is more devastating and liberating than you thought.
Learn more about Dr. Kerry McAvoy’s work and grab her book Love You More at kerrymcavoyphd.com.
To join her Toxic-Free Relationship Club
Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/Youarenotcrazy
*New Course*: Unhooked: Map the Cycle of Abuse in your Relationship
Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com
{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse
{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.