There is definitely some intertwining. And any crisis can make an individual appear Narcissistic - its a survival technique.
But my M hasn't been "good" for years, I'd say about the last 18 years.... (We've been married 23 years. I discovered current OW and got the bomb drop nearly 2 years ago.)
I think it is the "newness" of the behavior that lends the diagnosis to either MLC or not. Some of H's behaviors are new, and we are at the empty nest stage combined with the sudden declining health of his parents. But H has been emotionally unavailable for a long, long time. Which is what the Dr. referenced when I asked if this could be part of MLC. It is pretty typical of Narcissists to start a relationship with great intensity, then when they realize they've married nothing more than a flawed human, they flip the switch and show the dark side of the moon...lol.
I don't know your sitch, but I thank you for stopping by, and wish you all the best.
Me 46 H 56 M 22 yrs S22, D20, Twin Ss18
You teach people how to treat you by what you allow. What you stop. And what you reinforce. ~~~~~~~ A lack of boundaries invites a lack of respect.
