Shahida Arabi
Shahida is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University. She is a published researcher and author of Power: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse and Breaking Trauma Bonds with Narcissists and Psychopaths. Her books have been translated into 16+ languages all over the world. Her work has been featured on Salon, HuffPost, Inc., Bustle, Psychology Today, Healthline, VICE, NYDaily News and more. For more inspiration and insight on manipulation and red flags, follow her on Instagram here.
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A Jennifer Lawrence Thriller Is One Of The Most Controversial Romance Movies of All Time
I never thought that an action and adventure rom-com movie starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt would be one of the most darkly romantic movies I’ve ever seen, but here we are. The movie Passengers debuted in 2016 and is now available to stream. It is still one of the most talked about and controversial…
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10 Best Revenge Movies About Narcissists (Where the Victims Win)
Revenge is not for the faint-hearted nor is it usually advisable in real life (likely, you’d have a much more productive time channeling your experiences into healing and success rather than spending time in jail), but audiences can find it validating and cathartic to watch revenge films that allow them to live vicariously through the…
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4 Movies About Toxic Limerence
When I first wrote about limerence back in 2018, many readers resonated with the idea of being in a “fantasy relationship” – becoming obsessed and fixated on a toxic relationship or “situationship” that is often unrequited, harmful, incompatible in some way, and one that does not meet their needs and falls short of their standards.…
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Why Men and Women Can’t Be “Just Friends”
The age-old concern continues to plague us: can men and women really be “just friends?” In cases where there is no form of attraction on either side, it is absolutely possible! The response to this question gets murkier, however, when there is attraction involved on either end. Here’s what the research has to say. Men…
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When Narcissists Say These 6 Phrases In Romantic Relationships, Here’s What They Really Mean
A researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy notes the six phrases you may hear from narcissists in romantic relationships and what they really mean.
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Why Men Disappear Even When They Want You
For the most part, a man disappearing or withdrawing attention from you after showing extreme interest and attraction sends a mixed signal but a clear one: they are not the one for you. Are there cases, however, where there are deeper reasons at play than no longer being interested? Without falling into any trap of…
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8 Sci-Fi Romance Movies That Defy Time And Space (And Will Alter Your Brain Chemistry)
Sometimes love defies time and space — at least it does in science fiction romantic drama films. Here are eight exhilaratingly mystical movies that are a must watch if you enjoy watching love unfold across dystopian realities, parallel universes, alternate timelines, past lives —and even other planets. Equals (2015) Starring Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart,…
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Why Your Toxic Ex Comes Back When You No Longer Want Them
Ever wonder why that toxic and narcissistic ex-partner kept reaching out to you, long after the relationship had ended? Or why they seemed to make attempts to provoke you after the break-up? Research indicates that there are darker reasons why a toxic or narcissistic ex may reach out, and it’s usually not because they genuinely…
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12 Power Plays Narcissists Use To Gaslight You
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is one of the most famous books of all time. But what would similar laws look like in the hands of narcissists and what kinds of “laws” and power plays do narcissists operate on to gain a tactical advantage over their targets? Here are the 12 laws of power…
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7 Dating Power Moves That Protect Women Against Narcissists
Men and women can both be narcissists, but women tend to experience specific risks in the dating world. Here are ways they can protect themselves from manipulation, according to a researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy.
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Signs Your Boyfriend Is Toxic
Toxicity exists on a spectrum, but there is a set of tell-tale behaviors that can point to a core lack of empathy, entitlement, and exploitativeness that can be harmful to relationships. Use the red flag items below to assess whether you can identify the following toxic behaviors in your partner. Keep a tally. For every item…
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This Jennifer Lawrence Thriller Is The Most Controversial Romance Movie of All Time
I never thought that an action and adventure rom-com movie starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt would be one of the most darkly romantic movies I’ve ever seen, but here we are. The movie Passengers debuted in 2016 and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime. It is still one of the most talked…
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Narcissists Target Women With These 5 Surprising Traits For Romantic Relationships
Here are five surprising traits narcissists look for in their partners, according to a researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy.
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5 Toxic Movie Couples We Call “Romance Goals” But Are Actually Just Trauma Bonds
A trauma bond is an inextricable bond we develop to the people who subject us to a combination of danger, seduction, betrayal, and a cyclical pattern of hot-and-cold behavior where kindness is mixed with cruelty in a relationship where a blatant power imbalance is present. In movies, we often see couples that audiences label as…
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People Who Seem “Charming” But Are Actually Psychopaths Display These 3 Subtle Behaviors
A researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy reveals the three subtle behaviors that reveal the motives and characteristics of people with psychopathic traits.
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Men Who Pretend To Be ‘Nice Guys’ But Are Actually Narcissistic Display These 3 Subtle Behaviors
People who use the “nice guy” persona to charm and manipulate others but are actually narcissistic display these three subtle behaviors, according to a researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy.
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4 Signs He Doesn’t Have An Avoidant Attachment Style, He’s Just A Narcissist
These are the signs they don’t have an avoidant attachment style, they’re actually narcissistic, according to a researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy.
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Signs He’s Not In Love, He’s Love Bombing You
Here are the red flags you may be experiencing a manipulation tactic known as love bombing, according to a researcher specializing in narcissism and psychopathy. Love bombing is a manipulative tactic associated with narcissistic traits. When a manipulator shows excessive displays of affection and attention toward their dating partner and maintaining constant contact to get…