Relationships are supposed to be doubly supportive, where both people feel loved and cared about, but sometimes only one person benefits because they are predatory. Find out what predatory relationships are and how to get out of them.
The hunt is on. The dangerous predator watches its prey through hungry eyes, waiting for the opportunity when its latest victim is least aware- and then it pounces! It’s not animals we are reading about today- it’s human predators and their prey. Predatory relationships happen to an alarming amount of people- and believe it or not, you might be in that kind of relationship. Join Mysticense to find out all about predatory relationships. Learn the signs that someone is a predator, and who is likely to be prey. Keep reading to find out most importantly, how to break the predator prey cycle you’re in. you might feel trapped by a powerful predator, but you don’t have to be, read on to find the way to freedom.
What is a Predator vs Prey?
Predators and prey seem to go hand in hand, don’t they? But what are they? What a predator is and what prey is seem surprising- because you would think predators are the strong ones and prey is weak. Quite the contrary. Predators actually need prey!
Predators Definition
Predators are creatures who draw strength from other creatures. In the animal kingdom, predators like lions draw strength by eating animals like gazelles. Human predators don’t actually eat other people- physically- but they use them for resources, sex, and attention. Predators, no matter what species they belong to, have advantages that allow them to supersede their prey. Human predators are manipulative. They know just what to do and say to get people to do what they want them to. They cannot survive without the creatures they prey upon.
Prey Definition
Prey is some organism that is fed upon by a predator. In the animal kingdom, prey usually gets eaten. They are hunted down and become a meal for some bigger, or faster, or stronger creature. Human prey becomes an endless stream of resources for a predator that uses them to live. Some finance a predator’s lifeline. Others give emotional support to abusers. Some prey give unhealthy sex to sexually abusive prey. All of them are necessary to the predator’s sense of wellbeing. Oftentimes, the predator could take care of themselves, but prefer to take advantage of prey- and have everything done for them. Predators can emotionally exhaust their prey in relationships. Learn how to combat that here: Help for Emotional Fatigue in Relationships
What is a Predatory Relationship?
A predatory relationship is when a person literally feeds off another one, gaining strength, and the other weakens because they're doing nothing but giving. The predator takes, and the prey gives. This can be financial where one finances everything. This can also be one that is emotionally abusive where the predator hurts the prey’s feelings constantly. It can be a relationship where one person takes care of everything and gets nothing in return.
Some prey love the feeling they get from giving. They feel justified, they feel magnanimous, and they get a sense of well-being from all that they do. However, as time goes by, they become exhausted. They may be the only ones who compromise to someone who is extremely stubborn and will have only their own way. They may be the only ones who adjust their schedule for someone who expects to be accommodated constantly. They may be someone who exhausts themselves for someone who could just as easily do their fair share, but who refuses. In the predator prey relationship, one benefits and the other gives. Some predators are even abusers. Find out if you’re in an abusive relationship here: Are You Abused? | The Signs You May Be
Who is Likely to Become Prey?
Anyone can become prey to a predator, but some people are especially at risk of being preyed upon. Abuse victims are especially at risk of becoming prey in relationships. People with low self esteem are too. People pleasers are probably at higher risk than any other group of people to become prey in relationships.
Abuse Victims
If you grew up in an abusive environment, being used by someone for their satisfaction, you are at high risk of becoming prey in a relationship with the predator. You're used to people taking advantage of you, deliberately hurting you, and you're used to your needs not being met. Predators focus on themselves and don't care about the feelings of their prey. They don't care that they're spending all your money and you can't pay your bills, for example. If you grew up with someone who treated you that way, you're used to it, so you might not question it.
People with Low Self-Esteem
If you have low self-esteem, you will believe that you don't deserve to be treated as well as you actually do. That opens you up to the danger of being prey to a predator. You won't assert your own rights, and you won't stop someone from crossing your boundaries. You won't understand how much you deserve all the best things in life. This makes it easier for someone who won't give you what you deserve in a relationship to come in and take over. If you’re not confident you can learn to be. Find out how here: Learning Self-Confidence by Loving Your Body
People Pleasers
If you believe that you were born to make other people happy, and you think that you should do that at whatever the cost, congratulations. You are at high risk of being prey to a predator in a relationship. You will think only about what makes other people happy, and not be as caring about yourself. People pleasers only focus on what makes other people happy, and they don't think about what makes them happy too. It is unhealthy to be so focused on other people that you do not balance your own happiness with theirs.
Signs of Predatory Behavior
Some people can very easily see predatory behavior. Each predator is different, but quite often there are a few traits that they all share. They typically take, but don't give anything meaningful. They will try to isolate their prey from a support system. They will shower their prey with excessive, and appropriate attention, especially too soon after meeting them. They will be highly controlling, and when they're called out on these behaviors, they will pretend to be innocent.
Taking But Not Giving
Predators love to take, but they don't want to give. They will want you to pay for everything, but they literally won't do anything for you in return. They may want everything to accommodate their schedule, but they don't want to accommodate yours. They will always decide where you're going to go and what you're going to do together, but any time you have ideas of your own, they will say no. Everything is all about them, what they want, and what they can get from you. Do not behave this way with the Libra because they won't stand for it. Read more about that Zodiac sign here: Libra Traits | Star Sign in the Spotlight
They Try to Isolate You
Predators love to keep their prey away from a support system. This is because they know that people who emotionally support their prey will encourage them to step away from the predator. They will criticize your long term friends, and try to keep you away from your family. They might even try to get you to quit your job and make you completely financially and emotionally dependent upon them. They will say things like “ It’s you and me against the world” and they may even discourage you from furthering your education because they know that less education will keep you from opportunities.
Inappropriate Attention
Predators have been known to swoop in immediately when they meet someone who they want to prey upon. If you've known someone for a few weeks or months, and they're talking big about long term commitment, they might see you as someone who they can take advantage of. They may give you lavish gifts too soon in the relationship, or demand a commitment immediately. They might even be a bad boy that tries to make you feel good- but good guys always make you feel better. Find out why here: Why Good Guys Make You Feel Better Than Bad Boys
Controlling Behavior
Predators find ways to be in complete control of their prey’s finances, living situations, and relationships. They may hide your car keys or cell phone so you are completely dependent upon them to get places or communicate with people. They might try to get you to quit your job so you have to rely on them for money. They might try to make all the choices even though you're quite capable of making choices on your own. They want to call all the shots, make all the decisions, and keep you from doing any of that.
Feigned Innocence
Predators never accept responsibility for the way they are and oftentimes they pretend to be victims. A lot of people can very clearly see how controlling, manipulative, and selfish that predators are, but predators will never admit it. They will always make excuses for their behavior, and oftentimes they will say that they are being accused unfairly, and that they are therefore innocent victims. When you can very clearly see that someone is trying to take advantage of you, it is right to call them out on it. When they react by accusing you of attacking their character, lying on them, or misunderstanding them, be highly suspicious. They are a predator. Their dishonesty can be disguised as harmless little white lies, but are lies ever harmless? Find out here: Are White Lies Ok? | The Truth
Signs You’re Prey
Like animal prey in the wild, human prey exhibit certain behaviors. Some are defense mechanisms and others are behaviors that make it easier for a predatory person to prey upon you.
You Hide
If you're trying to hide things that happen from the people who you love, or the public in general, your relationship may be predatory. Covering up your predators' behaviour to help them save face, and to help you save face is one way that you camouflage what’s going on. Hiding who you are to completely accommodate what your predator wants is another sign they're praying upon you. Hiding what you want in life to completely accommodate what they want is yet another sign.
You Overextend
When you are stretched to the breaking point by giving to someone who does nothing but take, they're probably preying upon you. When you’re hurting financially because you are paying bills for your predator, they're praying upon you. When you're not getting the amount of rest you need because you're exhausted by doing for them, they're preying upon you. They may be overly difficult to deal with, Find out how to deal with difficult people here: How to Deal with Difficult People
You Are Codependent
When you think you cannot live without each other because you're doing things for each other that you should do for yourself, that's codependence. Predators like this because they feel like it means their prey can never leave them. Financial codependence when you are quite capable of working is one thing, but predators like to make their prey emotionally dependent upon them. They tell their prey that nobody loves them as much as they do, and nobody ever will. They criticize their friends and family, and try to keep them all to themselves to ensure this.
Breaking the Predatory Cycle
Three easy steps can help you break free from a predator. First, recognize the signs that it is happening, and reject the servitude that your predator calls for. If that's not enough, reach out for support from other people, because support is out there.
Recognize the Signs
The above signs that you are being preyed upon, as well as a terrible emotional feeling that it's happening, are not your imagination. Predators are everywhere, basically feeding upon other people the same way that a wild animal would feed on an animal that it eats. These predators need their prey to keep them going, and they don't want to let go. Understanding that it's happening to you is the first step to escaping. Magical self-care is one way out. Learn more here: Magical Care for Self in Stressful Times
Reject Servitude
Refusing to give your predator what they want might be an instant way to break free from them. They want things from other people that they could easily do for themselves, but they refuse to. If they don't get what they want, they will go find it elsewhere. Try saying no to them and cutting them off from the support they get from you, and they might go away.
Reach Out for Support
Not all predators are deterred so easily. You might need help from friends, family, or even law enforcement to get a predator out of your life. It can be frightening to say no to someone who is demanding, controlling, and doesn't want to take no for an answer, but with the right support, you can do it. Yes you can.
Predators take advantage of unsuspecting people who just want help and love, and then they suck them dry much like a wild animal would eat another animal. You don't have to let a predator control your life. If you recognize the signs that you're being preyed upon, you can cut a predator off by refusing to give them what they want, but if you need help, it's out there. Take control of your own life and refuse to be taken advantage of by a predator. You are worth it.
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