In this episode, Ross explains antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), better known as sociopathy or psychopathy: no empathy or remorse, chronic dishonesty, and harming others without learning from consequences. Psychopaths enjoy inflicting pain, while sociopaths hurt people simply to get what they want. Unlike narcissists, sociopaths know exactly who they are, and they hide behind a "backdrop," often a partner and family, to appear normal.

Ross covers the warning signs, from scripted charm and expert gaslighting to the rare "shark eyes" moment when the mask slips. He also explains why people with Self-Love Deficit Disorder (codependency) are targeted and why leaving takes careful protection. To work with Ross, visit selfloverecovery.com or email help@selfloverecovery.com.

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ABOUT ROSS ROSENBERG
Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., is a psychotherapist, educator, expert witness, and celebrated author. He is also a global thought leader and clinical expert in codependency, trauma, pathological narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and addictions.

Ross's pioneering contributions to codependency have provided sweeping theoretical and practical updates and developed a treatment program that permanently resolves the issue. Ross has been featured on national TV and radio and is a regular radio and podcast guest.

In addition, he has traveled the world, giving his one-of-a-kind keynote presentations and educational workshops. His global impact is best illustrated by his YouTube channel, with 30 million views and 297,000 subscribers, and the sale of 190,000 Human Magnet Syndrome books published in 12 languages. In 2013, Ross created The Self-Love Recovery Institute, a hub for his personal development, workshops, professional training, retreats, other programs, and services.

Learn more at www.SelfLoveRecovery.com.

Facebook.com/TheCodependencyCure)
Instagram (@rossrosenberg_slri)
Twitter (@RossRosenberg1)
and now…TikTok! (@RossRosenberg1)

Why do so many codependents and people with Self-Love Deficit Disorder live in constant fear, even when they're safe? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Todd Burstain, an internist who spent 30 years treating patients, about how chronic fear changes the brain and hides behind "masks" like anxiety, codependency, and narcissism.

We get into why narcissists cope by controlling others while codependents cope by giving in to control, and how PTSD and gaslighting make it hard to tell real danger from old trauma.

Dr. Burstain also shares his 10-step path for quieting "fear's voice" and reconnecting with your authentic self, which he covers in his new book, Fear Itself, out November 10.

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Support the show

ABOUT ROSS ROSENBERG
Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., is a psychotherapist, educator, expert witness, and celebrated author. He is also a global thought leader and clinical expert in codependency, trauma, pathological narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and addictions.

Ross's pioneering contributions to codependency have provided sweeping theoretical and practical updates and developed a treatment program that permanently resolves the issue. Ross has been featured on national TV and radio and is a regular radio and podcast guest.

In addition, he has traveled the world, giving his one-of-a-kind keynote presentations and educational workshops. His global impact is best illustrated by his YouTube channel, with 30 million views and 297,000 subscribers, and the sale of 190,000 Human Magnet Syndrome books published in 12 languages. In 2013, Ross created The Self-Love Recovery Institute, a hub for his personal development, workshops, professional training, retreats, other programs, and services.

Learn more at www.SelfLoveRecovery.com.

Facebook.com/TheCodependencyCure)
Instagram (@rossrosenberg_slri)
Twitter (@RossRosenberg1)
and now…TikTok! (@RossRosenberg1)

On Dianna Romanov's Divorced Like a Boss podcast, psychotherapist Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., explains his Human Magnet Syndrome theory, that givers are reflexively drawn to narcissistic takers, and why the outdated term "codependency" should be replaced by Self-Love Deficit Disorder. His pyramid model traces the problem from childhood attachment trauma to core shame, pathological loneliness, and an addiction-like compulsion to stay in harmful relationships. His ten-stage Self-Love Recovery Treatment Program, roughly nine to eighteen months of weekly therapy, resolves each layer so people can leave personality-disordered partners and reach lasting self-love abundance.

Diana Romanov is a San Francisco family law attorney handling divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, property division, and marital agreements. She offers advice and mediation in English, German, and Russian. She holds a family law JD from Freie Universität Berlin and an LLM in US Legal Studies from Golden Gate University School of Law, and received the Justice and Diversity Center's Outstanding Pro Bono Award for Family Law Cases. More about Diana: https://www.romanovlaw.com/

Support the show

ABOUT ROSS ROSENBERG
Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., is a psychotherapist, educator, expert witness, and celebrated author. He is also a global thought leader and clinical expert in codependency, trauma, pathological narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and addictions.

Ross's pioneering contributions to codependency have provided sweeping theoretical and practical updates and developed a treatment program that permanently resolves the issue. Ross has been featured on national TV and radio and is a regular radio and podcast guest.

In addition, he has traveled the world, giving his one-of-a-kind keynote presentations and educational workshops. His global impact is best illustrated by his YouTube channel, with 30 million views and 297,000 subscribers, and the sale of 190,000 Human Magnet Syndrome books published in 12 languages. In 2013, Ross created The Self-Love Recovery Institute, a hub for his personal development, workshops, professional training, retreats, other programs, and services.

Learn more at www.SelfLoveRecovery.com.

Facebook.com/TheCodependencyCure)
Instagram (@rossrosenberg_slri)
Twitter (@RossRosenberg1)
and now…TikTok! (@RossRosenberg1)