You are right, unless a person has experienced a sociopath...they really have NO idea what it is like. Your life isn't ruined. Educate yourself on the subject...understanding the beast will help you to begin to heal, as will being in contact with people who have experienced what you have.

LOOK inside yourself, learn about YOU.....and see why this person was drawn to you...(HINT: most of us are highly empathetic people...which is a beautiful thing...BUT it sets us for a certain type of vulnerability)

Everyone comes in to your life for a reason...it is from everyone that we will learn, as well as teach something...YOU now are wiser, with a story to share to help others...

As hard as it may seem some days, don't let this experience make you weak...embrace it for what it was ( horrific ) BUT let it make you STRONGER...do NOT let it defeat you !!!

It will get better...and YOU are NOT alone xo

A couple more places for you to check out.....

http://www.psychopathfree.com/forum.php

https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Sociopath-Struck-by-A-Sociopath/328885733865893

there are many sites out there, blogs, forums and a few support groups that ive come across while researching the topic. just google the word sociopath or victims of and read everything you can find on the subject. kroach is right , your pathway to healing is in understanding what has happened to you and making sure it doesn't happen again. 1 in 20 people out there in the US alone is considered to be a sociopath. it is like an epidemic that has been kept secret from us. the good news in that is there are many good people too. don't let this experience define you it is all a learning lesson of life. hopefully some day you will at times see it as a blessing because it will enforce change on you in a good and positive way for yourself. you will learn so much about yourself you didn't know before. if this is new too you it may take some time before you feel this way but it does get better. don't give up, keep moving forward even when it seems like you cant anymore. you will come out of this a much better person for the experience. in your search and along with here you will find you are not alone. glad you found this place.

my emotional vampire is a site on facebook with info
sociopathawareness.com is excellent
datingasociopath.com is a great blog


there are so many once you start looking you ll find so much information on the internet.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/After-Narcissistic-Abuse-There-is-Light-Life-Love/114835348601442?hc_location=stream

another great source of information and support...After Narcissistic Abuse - There is Light, Life & Love ( Face book )