Well, I dated a psychopath for 2 years. (not too sure what the difference is between a psychopath and a narcisist). It was so hard to get away from him. The manipulations and the promises to change and the (almost) stalking.

His ego was enormous. He even passed himself off as psychologist and got hired. So of course I was always wrong and was supposed to defer to him, the 'doctor'. He often said, 'I'm a doctor, trust me.' I eventually found out that he did indeed have a degree but it was in theology and he had to go to court to force the college to give it to him. Internet is great... it is harder for these people to hide.

His other major trait was his sexual ego. Sexually, he thought he was amazing... God's gift to women. But actually , he pleased himself. I needed sex therapy afterwards, he messed me up so bad. I have come to realize, that good sex happens when both partners consider the desires of each other and don't have a God complex.

And you are right, I wanted back the man I had met. At the beginning he sent me flowers and told me he hadn't thought he would ever find love again (since his wife passed away.) I later learned that there had been several wives after her. At the end he actually said, 'You are just the ***** and you don't deserve respect and the sooner you accept that, the sooner we will all have peace.'

2 lies he told me
1) his wife passed away from cancer... the truth.. his FIRST wife committed suicide
2) he was a green beret... the truth... he was a mechanic in the military

Apparently, this is physiological and hereditary. There is a part of the brain that is not 'turned on.'

I am really sorry about your cats.