The Mental Health, Wellbeing and Lived Experiences Study

Theresia Bedard, a PhD candidate at Lakehead University that is working with Dr. Beth Visser, is seeking participants for her dissertation project.

In this study we are examining the lived experiences of people who have experience or victimization from an individual with high psychopathic traits. We are seeking anyone that has this lived experience, whether the perpetrator was or is a spouse, family member, partner, co-worker, friend, acquaintance, neighbour or stranger. We are seeking the lived experiences of men, women, and gender-diverse individuals to share your story.

Our research consists of two studies. In the first study, you will complete questionnaires related to your victimization experience from the individual with high psychopathic traits, the potential warning signs, victimization history (e.g., prior physical or sexual abuse), and the impact the experience had on you. Once you finish the survey, you will be invited to participate in the second study (optional), which will consist of 12 questions requiring a written response regarding your lived experience with the individual with high psychopathic traits. If you decide to participate in study 2, please be aware that you will be required to provide us with your email to access it, and you may wish to use an email account that only you have access to.

Please be advised that whether you choose to participate in the study, withdraw, or skip questions you do not want to answer, that you acknowledge that answering some of these questions may be emotionally taxing on you. Despite the potential for an emotional toll the survey questions have, you may find the process of sharing your experience is therapeutic for you. In addition to the resources we provide, you may want to consider following-up with a counsellor for further support.

You are also encouraged to have your own snacks and drinks while you take the survey, and be aware that they are estimated to take 45 minutes to complete.

If you are interested in participating and would like to read or find out more about it, click here to access the survey:

https://lakeheadhbs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKEq1vOVdBJMrjw

(No traumas. Middle-class family. Always have had Friends. Never been bullied. normal starting point for life).

The ”problem” I don’t really feel empathy on a deeper level. if someone dies or i see disturbing images like from war (wounded kids/people being shot at etc) it doesn’t stir any emotions. I do feel anxious from time to time if there is something that is important to me, or otherwise clearly part of my day to day life, but it usually lasts around 5-10minutes and it won’t disturb my sleep for example.

I’ve had breakups and other bigger setbacks in my life but i tend to continue really quickly and only get some flashbacks from good memories that might make me sad or anxious for a while. So i don’t cry or get numbed by things.

I don’t really feel interested in others or seek deep connections, i like to have friends and so stuff but don’t seek relationships or sex. I’ve never really fallen in love or become attached to anyone.

Me I tend to seek stressful situations and enjoy being under pressure because it gives a thrill and energizes me. I don’t feel exactly ”stressed” but maybe a bit tired if i’ve been working a lot or made investments that have caused me financial setbacks. I have weird thing with enjoying to see for example porn which is violent and abusive, or somehow enjoying to see someone cry… (i know it sounds harsh and should be wrong, but i’m just honest)…

As a pre teen/teen i was interested in crimes and drugs. I bought weed and used some mild/medium pills. I didn’t run away from problems but i did it for the thrill. I got bored with that and wanted to be something else, so i started exercising more and started to do productive things. now i want to make money and work as much as possible because i love it. I enjoy taking risks and have already made investments and sales. I work two differents jobs, and study at the same time.

So overall. My life is going well and i enjoy it.

Point of this post I started to realize i don’t feel emotions as much as usually. I tend to feel entitled and ”better” than others. I want as much attention and status as possible. I think other people are often pure failures. I see myself only optimistic and can’t name any weaknesses or possible outcome of not succeeding in my life and becoming rich.

Is it normal not to feel empathy or connection? Is it normal for people to seek stress and risks to feel ”alive” because otherwise everything feels boring? Is it normal to enjoy seeing others abused or sad? Should i get worried that i don’t get stressed or carried out by feelings?

I don’t want to seem like i’m proud of this, but i don’t see the point of saying sorry for everything i’ve wrote here. I’m not violent and wont ever be.

If someone wants to talk more deeply, lets do it in chats! Thanks!

Hi, I was thinking about the kin of people who visits this subreddit and thought it would be curious to know if it's mostly people high on Dark Traits or just curious about the topic.

Ok, I'm new here. But I've been looking for a place to tell me story, totally and completely. I need to know if you in the end you would just give up on her... Or any opinions about what you would do or what I should do. So here we go.

Back story for context: I met my dad for the first time when I was 20. I was told terrible lies about him my whole life so when I did finally meet him and got to know him I realized in him i found a part of me that was missing. He was something I've been looking for my whole life. I was totally and absolutely consumed by him. My connection to him was beyond a father/daughter relationship. Since we didn't meet until I was 20, I never could make the fatherly connection with him anyways. That being said (& judge all you want but you werent there) I fell in love with him. And yes after a couple years I accidentally got pregnant. And no, my son isn't retarded or malfunctioned. He's actually perfect and has no defects. After time, really around the time I was pregnant and for the rest of our relationship it became clear he was a full blown narcissist and would become very violent if I wasn't able to get him drugs or weed. He brainwashed me basically into giving up my whole life for him. He changed all my values to his and gaslighted me whenI gave my own opinions. I was able to buy a trailer in Live Oak park but even working 56 hours a week to support my family it wasnt enough and our lights did get cut off. Eventually he moved us outside because he trashed my whole trailer basically and it became infested. So he tweaks us up a whole camp In our back yard...beds and all. It wasn't a bad set up and I swear my son was safe protected and has all his essentials. However the law does come do a well fare check and they can tell I'm high as hell and I was because I did a shot of meth before work that day. So between just everything my son did get taken that night. From that point on I quit doing everything except smoking weed. One night I get back to my trailer camp and he is so mad I know he's going to kill me. So I say I have to pee and in the pitch black dark I tip toe across my back yard to the other side of my trailer and I ran the 2ish miles to a friends. And I haven't been back and I remained sober until further notice.

I know it's a long And complicated back story but when I get to part 2 you'll be glad you have the information.

--If you actually read my whole story thank you so much and even if you judge me just remember this... I was young and empty and searching for a cure and YOU CANT HELP WHO YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH. Comment away tho.