10. The Psychopath’s Love Letters, Why They Matter and What They Reveal

In this episode we look at letters the psychopath /narcissist/ monster writes to his prey (the prime target and others), as well as letters his manipulated victims write for him.. Though I offer narrative segments of some love letters I've received from a psychopath (Dr. Mario), I also include one brief narrative in the monster's own words at the very end of this episode ((before outro)

Why are the letters from psychopath’s important? First, it is crucial for the survivor of a psychopath to reclaim her own, autonomous character, however malevolent her partner or colleague has been. These letters serve as historical data; as reification of our past. Second, in all of his love letters, the monster makes blatant confessions of his crimes. He describes his torture of others, often explicitly. Third, millions of us have received these letters meant to rope us back in if we’ve been brutalized a bit too severely by him and pose a risk to his hermetically sealed captivity of silence and place. He takes pride in being able to seduce by his disingenuous discourse. Fourth, they are also meant to show off his talents to others; that is, to illustrate the monster’s capacity for convincing words of remorse (albeit insincere) in the event he needs to garner support from them Fifth, these letters are written to prove how seamlessly the monster has mastered imitation of all the humane characteristics we value most. He derives a self-satisfaction in his personal imitation game.

Also, in this episode, we see an example of the way a gaslighted victim, does the monster’s bidding for him (Elizabeth, his Maine lawyer, in this case). She, one of his custom-designed victims, acts as his puppet. S/he is programmed to behave in the same sinister way he does. The monster has many of these brain-washed and carefully chosen and trained victims. They are the third points in his/her pathological triangles, (discussed in proior episodes).

Please see examples of a psychopath's love letters and further notes, on www.monsterstoriespodcast.com

This podcast is a production of Honestly Speaking LLC. Suzann Kole, Ph.D. has worked in academe and the mental health field for over 40 years. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Narrative Studies (an area of linguistics).