A bizarre dating trend dubbed as ‘therapy baiting’ is something that we all need to be aware of.
Women have apparently been falling victim to it everywhere as 'therapy baiting' is considered to be a new way for narcissists to manipulate and control a relationship.
Let's get one thing straight - therapy can be very helpful.
The NHS say that some people find it more effective than medicine.
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If you're going through a tough time or feel like you need help, therapy is well-researched and a recommended solution to many.
However, if look at a first-date scenario when a man tells a woman that they are currently in therapy, in most cases, their instant reaction would be a positive one.
Considering that a lot of men still find it difficult to open up about their mental health, if they make the brave decision to take action, it can often be viewed as a positive amongst women.
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Yet it seems that some narcissists out there, who have never been to therapy, are just using it as a way to 'bait' women into sleeping with them.
Scary stuff.
“Therapy remains an incredibly stigmatised space in many areas of the population,” Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist and author of Should I Stay or Should I Go, told Vice.
“To say, ‘Look how evolved I am, look how I take on my issues.’ And even worse, when it’s being used like cologne to mask the smell of manipulative behaviour; when how they communicate is uncomfortable or antagonistic.”
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Dr. Sarah Davies, a chartered counselling psychologist, says: "Narcissists seek to control, manipulate and ultimately aim to get their own needs met in a variety of ways and by using different techniques.
"I liken this to watching a lone fisherman at work and call these techniques ‘bait’.
"In working with clients who may be experiencing narcissistic abuse I often ask them to try to visualise the narcissist sitting on the side of a bank, fishing.
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"As he or she tries to catch their target, they will try out various different types of bait in order to find and use the most effective.
"They may have a few personal favourite forms of bait they like to use more regularly and they usually have an instinctive sense for which ones to utilise for different catch.
"The ultimate aim though, being to get others to bite the bait so they can reel them closer to manipulate and control for their own selfish means and gains."
To be clear, therapy is not a red flag, but lying about it certainly is.
Topics: Sex and Relationships
Anish Vij