The Human Magnet Syndrome

A psychotherapist’s guide to codependency, narcissism, the treatment of narcissistic abuse, and achieving healthy love from yourself and others. Since the dawn of civilization, people have been magnetically and irresistibly drawn together, not so much by what they see, feel, and think, but more by invisible, unconscious romantic forces. This seductive, alluring, and seemingly impossible-to-avoid love force is the Human Magnet Syndrome. It bends oppositely-matched partners in a breakup-resistant, rollercoaster-like relationship. Magnetic-like attraction, or “chemistry,” brings codependents and narcissists together in an enchanting fantasy that can never be sustained. Given time, a codependent’s soulmate dreams will predictably melt away, leaving them with the cellmate reality. This revised and updated, breakthrough book not only explains why codependents habitually fall prey to harmful and manipulative narcissists, but also why they predictably sabotage their dreams for freedom, happiness, and self-love. Rosenberg’s pioneering work on relationships, codependency, and narcissism is a necessary road map for receiving healthy love—both from others and ourselves. Praise for The Human Magnet Syndrome “I recommend The Human Magnet Syndrome to those who work in social services, education, chemical dependency, or the counseling fields and to the people they touch. It’s time to wake up and this brilliant book sounds the alarm we need.”—Melody Beattie, bestselling author of Codependent No More “This book will help anyone understand the attractors of love and consequent suffering. I recommend it to couples who are mystified by the depth and repetition of their pain, and to therapists whose destiny is to help them.”—Harville Hendrix, bestselling co-author of Getting the Love You Want and creator of Imago Relationship Therapy