Constant state of fight or flight hypervigilance
Buildup of cortisol in your system which causes weight gain, sleep difficulties, and more
Difficulties setting healthy boundaries
Struggles with self-esteem and sense of self believing their worth is based on what they do not who they are
Neglects their own needs and wants
Seeks validation from taking care of others “people pleaser”
Fails to recognize healthy relationships and is attracted to toxic relationships
Feelings of anxiety, dread, depression, self-doubt, and insecurity when you have to interact with the toxic person.
Blaming yourself for issues in the relationship that aren’t your fault.
Your self-worth decreases the longer you’re in this relationship.
It takes years to undo the damage
For so many people, we don’t realize what’s happening. This constant emotional manipulation and abuse over such a long time have conditioned us to think it’s normal. We actually don’t spend much time analyzing our narcissist’s behavior. We just know their triggers and we’d do anything to avoid them.
Emotional abuse doesn’t look like abuse at all. When you suffer manipulation, insults, conditioning, and gaslighting, it’s like being a frog in a pot of boiling water, you don’t feel the abuse until it’s too late. When you put the frog in the pot, the water is tepid. The increase in temperature is so gradual, that the frog doesn’t know what’s happening until it’s boiled alive. This is what narcissistic abuse feels like.
When we actually think about what’s happened to us, it’s often when we recount it to someone else. That’s when we realize how awful it is and how much we’re hurt. It’s important to note people who deal with narcissists regularly struggle with constant emotional pain.
Healing from long-term trauma takes time. Don’t stay in this kind of emotionally abusive relationship. It won’t get better. They won’t change. You don’t deserve this relationship.
If you’re questioning whether you’re in a toxic relationship, take my self-guided online course to learn the red flags. I give you strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with these types of people and help you begin the healing process. The more you know the better prepared you’ll be when you encounter them.
Talking to someone who understands narcissistic personality disorder helps. Talk about this person, this problem, or this issue. Or take my self-guided course for immediate transformation. This course will help you learn to identify the red flags of the toxic person in your life. You’ll learn how to identify narcissists to avoid them. You’ll learn strategies to coexist with your narcissist and protect your mental health. You’ll take the first steps on your healing journey. Do something for you.
Don’t wait another day. You’ll gain clarity and know you’re not crazy.
I’m a narcissistic abuse coach and I help people on their journey to healing.