Most of us enter relationships hoping and anticipating a loving, caring union where both partners respect one another and treat one another well. If both partners are emotionally healthy and the relationship dynamic is balanced, two committed partners with good communication, love and respect for one another can achieve a lasting, mutually fulfilling union. However, there are people who on the surface appear well functioning at first, but it becomes apparent when you become involved with them that something isn't right. They may commit acts in the relationship that leave the other partner hurt, bewildered, and confused by their behavior. Personality disorders such as narcissism or sociopath/psychopathy are very destructive in relationships, and are very difficult to treat. Here are 9 signs that your partner might suffer from one of these personality disorders:

1. Lacking in empathy. Your partner can't relate emotionally to others and their needs and wants. This leads to selfish and callous behavior.

2. An absence of conscience. This is a hallmark of the sociopath. A lack of true remorse or guilt is present and means that there are no boundaries of conscience to prevent hurtful acts. In fact, your partner might feel as if the victim "deserved it" because he or she was weak enough to fall for a ploy or set him or herself up for the exploitation or harmful act.

3. Poor behavioral controls, compulsive behavior. Often disordered partners have difficulty delaying gratification, and this can lead to addictive processes like alcoholism, drug abuse, and sexual promiscuity.

4. Consistent irresponsibility. This means your partner might not keep a steady job, pay bills on time, or honor the commitments he or she makes.

5. Grandiose self worth. Your partner might consider him or herself superior and adopt a haughty attitude toward others. There also might be an exaggeration of accomplishments and achievements, and excessive need for praise and admiration, common in the narcissist. Your partner may also get very jealous of others if they are successful.

6. Lying, conning, and manipulation. Sociopaths are the classic con artists, taking others for what they can get out of them. He or she may lie easily about almost anything.

7. Lack of confirmation to social norms. Your partner might feel entitled to special treatment and believe that the normal laws of society don't apply to him or her.

8. Idealized thinking. Common in narcissists, there might be a fantasy about ideal love, beauty and power.

9. Shallow emotional depth, and superficial charm. Look as you might, it may be difficult to see any true emotion behind the charisma and charm.