Deeper Issues
⚠️ Disclaimer: This is an opinion-based discussion involving mental health and personal experiences.
Have you ever dealt with someone you believed was a narcissist?
If you have, then you already know—it’s draining.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Physically.
But what if what you’re seeing… isn’t exactly what it looks like?
Recently, I came to a realization:
Some behaviors that appear narcissistic may actually stem from something deeper—like a mental disorder.
I spent years trying to help someone become who I thought they used to be.
I exhausted myself trying to bring back a version of them that, honestly, may have never existed.
I asked questions.
Tried to understand.
Tried to keep up with what felt like constant chaos.
Every answer I found pointed to one thing:
Narcissism.
And for a moment, I even questioned myself.
Then one day, something shifted.
I came across an article discussing treatment options for bipolar disorder. I made a passing comment about how helpful that could be for people living with it.
That’s when I heard something that changed everything:
“I’m going to sign up for it.”
That stopped me.
Because why would someone pursue treatment for something they don’t have?
So I asked.
And the answer was yes.
And just like that…
everything started to make sense.
The mood swings.
The behaviors.
The patterns I couldn’t logically piece together before.
But instead of relief…
I felt something else.
I felt regret.
Because I realized I had been responding to something I didn’t understand.
I was trying to fix something I didn’t even know existed.
And I couldn’t help but think:
If I had known from the beginning…
would things have been different?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
But at least I would’ve had the chance to understand.
To prepare.
To decide.
And that’s where this gets complicated.
I believe people deserve privacy.
But I also believe people deserve clarity in relationships.
Because when you don’t know what someone is dealing with…
you may misinterpret their behavior.
You may label them incorrectly.
You may respond in ways that cause more harm than help.
And on the other side of that…
imagine living with something no one understands.
That’s not easy either.
This isn’t about judgment.
This is about awareness.
Mental health matters.
Understanding matters.
Communication matters.
If you are dealing with something—mental, emotional, physical—that impacts your relationship…
it’s worth sharing.
And if you’re on the receiving end of behaviors you don’t understand…
it’s worth seeking clarity.
Because sometimes…
what looks like toxicity…
is actually untreated pain.
And sometimes…
walking away is still necessary.
But at least let it be from a place of understanding.
If you’re struggling—on either side of this—please consider speaking with a licensed professional.
You deserve clarity.
You deserve peace.
And most importantly…
you deserve a relationship that aligns with your mind, body, and heart.
