Relationship Advice on the "Knight in Shining Armor" Syndrome

This guy is a second cousin to the narcissist. Not quite as disgusting, but somewhat dangerous because he’s not what he may seem to be at first. 

A Knight in Shining Armor, according to our friend Charlie Risien, is a guy who’s constantly on a crusade to find a Damsel in Distress he can rescue…becoming her hero in the process.

He’s a guy who wants to be admired. But he’s different from the narcissist because, in the beginning, he seeks this admiration instead of expecting it.

He wants to be your everything…protector, problem solver, provider, all around good guy—and always, always, always-- a hero in your eyes.

He relishes the thought that he rescued you from peril or even misery.

The problem is…he expects you to be forever thankful for this favor, and if you don’t show him the appreciation he thinks he deserves, he’ll consider you an ingrate, unworthy of his attention or companionship.

This need usually results from some success in his early life, especially in his family.

“Knights” spring from children who were often academic or athletic all-stars. They added luster to the family name and honor to the family reputation.

And they loved every minute of it as a kid.

Now they’re looking for the same thing from you as an adult.

“Knights” can be extremely nice guys, with lots of great qualities you don’t find in other men. But they also tend to be high maintenance emotionally because they expect a lot from you.

If you decide to ride off into the sunset with a Knight in Shining Armor, just remember that they can turn into frogs, just like some princes.

Also see: Bipolar Disorder, Passive Aggressive Behavior, Self-esteem Issues, Narcissism, Domineering Personality, Submissive Personality, Codependence and Shaming and Guilt.