Mirroring can take different forms. Your partner may pretend to have the same likes, dislikes, and hobbies as you, or they may pretend to have similar life experiences. Psychopaths use their charisma to get you hooked on the relationship and then turn cold in the middle of it.

Look out for sob stories that paint your date as the victim, like an ex who is “obsessed” with them or a difficult family situation. Pay attention to the pacing of your relationship. Trust isn’t supposed to develop overnight but psychopaths will try to make you trust them immediately by revealing sensitive information sooner than you’d expect.

Intense flattery and mirroring can make it easy to succumb to a psychopath’s fast-paced relationship goals, but love and long-term commitment aren’t things that happen overnight.

If someone has psychopathic tendencies, they will typically always be the one to initiate the breakups in their short, whirlwind romances. Pay attention to how they talk about their exes. Not every relationship leaves a lasting impression on people, but a psychopath will have little to no emotional reaction when talking about exes.

They might seem unfazed by the death of a pet or family member. They may come off as insensitive and uncaring when you vent about your feelings. Any comfort you get from them may feel awkward and hollow.

A psychopath might start posting about their ex on social media or texting them to provoke your jealousy and then act like you’re hysterical for getting upset about it. They might convince two friends that each one has been talking about the other behind their backs, causing a big confrontation for the psychopath’s entertainment.

Interrupting you all the time, as though what they have to say is more important. Going out of their way to prove that they’re right. Psychopaths never want to admit when they’re wrong. Believing that they’re better than other people. You might hear them make derogatory remarks or talk about how they’re more talented than someone else.

Look for large generalizations when they guilt-trip you, saying things like, “We never do what I want to do. ” It’s harder to debate broad accusations than specific instances.

Your partner may do something abusive and then say “That never happened!” or “You have a horrible memory. ”[12] X Expert Source Lena Dicken, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 15 December 2020. They might call your mental state into question, saying “You’re too sensitive,” or “You’re crazy. ” They may deflect the blame for their wrongdoing back onto you. “You should have known this would happen,” or “Well, I wouldn’t have done this if you had listened to me in the first place. ” You might share a valid concern with them only to be called “unreasonable” and “irrational. “[13] X Expert Source Lena Dicken, Psy. DClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.

If your love interest appears to go through friends quickly and has no concrete reason for why their friendships fail, it may be an indication of antisocial personality tendencies. Alternatively, they may give you reasons but always blame the other person for a failed friendship.

They might lie or omit small details to make you believe their narrative. Their stories might seem elaborate because they’re covering up a bigger lie. Even when telling the truth would be harmless, some psychopaths instinctively lie instead—and have no shame about it when called out.

Many high-functioning psychopaths are not physically violent (although it does happen). Their aggressive nature instead manifests as a volatile temper in social situations.

Look for vague phrases that don’t acknowledge why you’re upset. A psychopath might try to say, “I made a mistake, okay?” and move on, rather than saying, “I’m sorry. I know I hurt you, and I’m going to do better. ” A psychopath might not understand why you’re upset at all. They may say things like “You’re being too sensitive about this,” or “Will you get over it already?”