Ross
Written by Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., LCPC, CADC
Self-Love Recovery Institute – President/CEO
Psychotherapist, Educator, Author, Expert Witness
After spending years trying to understand my own relationships with narcissists, as well as working with clients for over 35 years, I developed a technique called “Observe Don’t Absorb.”
The technique was heavily influenced by a saying from George Bernard Shaw: “I learned long ago to never wrestle with a pig; you get dirty, and besides the pig likes it.”
I immediately saw the connection between the quote and how SLDs/codependents always lose their battles with narcissists.
What the SLD/Codependent Has to Learn
As a therapist, my goal is to help SLDs/codependents understand that when they start wrestling with their proverbial “pig,” they will always be powerless and disadvantaged because narcissists thrive on power. Their entire goal is to bate you into conflict, argument, and a verbal wrestling match. Why? Because that is where they know how to control and influence their SLD/codependent.
So, where does that leave you, the SLD/codependent?
SLDs/Codependents have to learn that stepping into the world of the narcissist is analogous to ingesting toxins.
How does this help the SLD/codependent? Because it equates a relationship with a narcissist to something that will make you sick. When we drink something toxic, we feel ill.
Similarly, when we let the narcissist bring us into their world, we lose our emotional control. Pathological narcissists pull codependents into emotional altercations. As experts, they simply always win by sucking you into their argumentative, aggressive, and manipulative world.
I ask my clients to consider that relationship a toxic environment. One where you easily lose your perspective and abandon self-care.
What Is the Observe Don’t Absorb Technique?
The Observe Don’t Absorb technique allows the SLD/codependent to maintain control. I call it Observe Don’t Absorb because I teach my clients to artificially detach from the narcissist.
The goal is for the codependent to simply watch or observe the narcissist. As they do, they are not connecting effectively or emotionally to them. They are simply observing.
Conversely, when they absorb, they are participating in the dysfunctional interaction and end up losing control, making it so they can no longer properly protect themselves or set healthy boundaries.
In essence, this is a healthy dissociation. It is purposeful emotional detachment, and it helps neutralize the narcissist’s power to control them.
With this technique, we refuse to allow the manipulator to get under our skin. We won’t absorb the toxins and cannot be pulled into their emotional world to become a victim of it.
It is like if we picked up a bottle of poison. There is no danger in holding or looking at a bottle of poison. But the moment we pop off the lid and ingest it, we are doomed. We respect its pathological power, but we are not tainted by it.
Examples of How to Use the Observe Don’t Absorb Technique
So, these are some examples and instructions that I use to help my clients use the Observe Don’t Absorb technique.
First, I explain the wrestling with a pig analogy above. I clearly outline how they can practice observing, not absorbing, and how that gives them an advantage.
One way they can implement this technique is by pretending, during interactions with their narcissist, that they are an observer. I ask them to envision themselves wearing a white research coat and watching the person. We then explore how doing so helps them disconnect emotionally from the narcissist.
I then point out that they can observe with curiosity and wonderment. “Can you see how dysfunctional they are?” I ask. “How manipulative they are? Now recognize how incapable they are of manipulating you from this position if you don’t react.” The key to my instruction is to watch and listen, never react.
Another way to implement this is to imagine you are watching an instructional video that depicts the narcissist. “What you’re watching is a video of the typical symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder,” I tell them.
I ask them to look for the manipulative strategies that the narcissist is using to pull them into the fight. Examine the person from head to toe. Watch their facial reactions, body posture, etc. Recognize this is a person with psychological problems who is trying to manipulate them. I explain that the more they can step outside of the reaction and just observe, the more power they have.
In real-time, I encourage my clients to practice trying to see what the person is doing right now to get a reaction out of them. The more they can answer that question, the more they can remain in a neutral position and stop absorbing the narcissist’s toxins.
Bonus Ways to Observe Not Absorb
Another suggestion I have for codependents is to repeat an affirmation to themselves like, “I am strong and in control.” I highly recommend repeating that affirmation over and over during these touchy moments.
Reminding codependents why this is important is also powerful. Doing this technique ensures that the narcissist cannot control them, they won’t fall victim, and they will remain in control and secure in their boundaries.
A few other helpful suggestions include keeping an even tone, low volume, and breathing deeply. This is critical if you want to stay detached from the argument. It also helps you stay relaxed and reduces any power being given to the narcissist. Staying connected to your body also prevents you from absorbing toxins leading to stress and anxiety.
Detachment is a powerful tool for codependents. And you should be proud of how healthy you are and stay as disconnected as possible from a narcissist.
Use the Observe Don’t Absorb technique whenever you like and start taking your power back!
ABOUT ROSS
Ross Rosenberg M.Ed., LCPC, CADC, is Self-Love Recovery Institute’s CEO and primary contributor. His internationally recognized expertise includes pathological narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and attachment trauma. Ross’s “Codependency Cure™ Treatment Program” provides innovative and results-oriented treatment.
Ross’s expert educational and inspirational seminars have earned him international acclaim, including his 23 million YouTube video views and 235K subscribers. In addition to being featured on national TV and radio, his “Human Magnet Syndrome” books sold over 150K copies and are published in 12 languages. Ross provides expert testimony/witness services.
More about Ross and his educational and inspirational work can be found at www.SelfLoveRecovery.com.
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