592: Do the Math: Am I a Psychopath? | Feedback Friday

Alcohol Conflict

Alcohol can sometimes bring out the worst in people, leading to conflicts that might not arise otherwise. Jordan Harbinger and Gabriel Mizrahi discuss a listener's dilemma with her husband's behavior when he drinks too much. He becomes overly talkative and occasionally hurtful, which is concerning for her. Jordan points out that while the husband's behavior is exacerbated by alcohol, there might be underlying issues like narcissism or disinhibition at play 1.

Your husband is not a straight-up monster, but he can be very hurtful. And it sounds like he's kind of dominating, maybe a little bullying, and just generally disrespectful to his audience, which is super annoying.

--- Jordan Harbinger

This dynamic, where the husband is the center of attention and the wife is the audience, is problematic and needs addressing 2.

   

Confront Behavior

Addressing recurring hurtful behavior requires open communication and confronting the issues head-on. Jordan Harbinger suggests having an honest conversation with the husband about how his actions affect their relationship and his reputation. It's crucial to express how his behavior impacts her personally, especially when he belittles others or makes hurtful comments 3.

If you really want to change your husband's behavior, you're going to have to work on both sides of the equation.

--- Jordan Harbinger

Gabriel Mizrahi adds that understanding the root of the husband's behavior might require professional help, such as therapy, to explore underlying issues and improve the marriage 4.