Narcissistic abuse is a type of severe emotional, electric and erotomoniapical manipulation imposed by someone with narcissistic traits. Physical abuse leaves evidence of brutality, whatever emotional narcissism can make in the way for signs would be also damaging as time is pass. Identifying the symptoms of narcissistic abuse and receiving treatment can be key in helping you heal and regain control over your life. What we will discuss in this article are the signs of narcissistic abuse and how talking to a Licensed Mental Health professional can help you overcome its impacts.
Understanding Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic abuse is described as behavior on the part of an individual who has narcissistic traits or suffers from NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) which make them a really toxic person to be around, including but not limited to an excessive need for admiration and validation of themselves; a total lack […] It is a form of abuse based on manipulation, emotional blackmailing and destroying victim’s self-esteem. The abuser wants to control and dominate the victim, making her feel helpless or a waste of space.
Signs of Narcissistic Abuse
The habit of always finding fault and non-validity
They tend to ridicule or devalue their mates in the case of a narcissist. That constant put down is not constructive feedback, it’s a power play. They will tell you that your not good enough or just keep thinking about all the things wrong with you.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a deceitful strategy wherein the offender tries to make the sufferer mistrust their own experiences, hearsay, or realism. They may, for instance, say something and deny it or do something to you as if they never did in an attempt of convincing you that your memory is faltering and your perception off.
Emotional Rollercoaster
Narcissistic lifelines are drama fueled, roller coaster journeys. The abuser might go back and forth between loving gestures and contemptuous acts, enabling a Jekyll-and-Hyde dynamic that keeps the abused on a psychological edge.
Isolation
Isolating their prey from family friends or support networks. Beware of those who can convince you that everyone else is out to get you, or only they provide the support and love in your life.
Lack of Empathy
Narcissistic abuse is a highly distinct and specific form of emotional cruelty, that cannot be accurately understood from the perspective of any other kind. They act in ways that often only cater to their needs and feelings which leaves you feeling emotionally abandoned, dismissed.
Blame Shifting
They are not aware or they just do not assume responsibility for their doing. Instead, they will act as if the reason for their behavior or relationship problems were all your fault. It is a vicious cycle that keeps you in self-doubt and guilt.
Manipulation and Control
It is common for narcissistic abusers to follow the cycle of abuse this way in order to not lose power. Emotional blackmail, threats, and guilt-tripping are common tactics used to manipulate you into giving in whilst they retain power over you.
Excessive Need for Admiration
Constantly needing validation, admiration by you and others. They can be needy and require a lot from you, give nothing in return yet they are draining your energy of everything with no thank yous.
How Therapy Can Help Heal Narcissistic Abuse
Understanding and Awareness
The ideal therapist will provide a space for the victim to safely explore and come out of denial about the dynamics that contributed to his making him or her vulnerable to narcissistic abuse. This can involve helping you to identify the patterns and strategies that are employed by the abuser, so that you better know what is actually happening.
Validation of Your Experience
You need to know that validation of your emotion and interplay with a therapist is one cornerstone piece of therapy. A therapist can confirm that what you went through was, in fact, abusive and your emotional reactions are both normal and common.
Developing Self-Confidence and Worth
Narcissistic abuse makes you feel low about yourself and diminishes your self-worth. Through therapy you can start healing and working to rediscover who you are as a person, concentrating on what is good about YOU instead of hearing the negatives that were instilled by your abuser.
Developing Coping Strategies
Therapy gives you weapon and tactics to deal with the aftermath of narcissistic abuse. This might involve practising a range of strategies like mindfulness techniques, cognitive restructuring and exploring healthy communication skills to assist you with stress management as well as enhance your emotional resilience.
Setting Boundaries
Setting and keeping boundaries is essential in healing from narcissistic abuse. A therapist can also advise you on setting firm boundaries with the abuser as well as within your future relationships, to shield yourself from more emotional damage.
Processing Trauma
Narcissistic abuse is abuse, and therapy helps you work through this trauma. Therapeutic interventions that focus on the trauma can assist you in identifying and managing some of what lies underneath so healing is possible.
Rebuilding Relationships
If the narcissistic abuse has made distant those you loved, therapy will assist you in creating and reestablishing connections. A therapist can help you learn to restore connections and nurture positive relationships in your life.
Fostering Personal Growth
Therapy promotes self-improvement and personal insight. In therapy, you can examine what is most important to take steps on after the abuse that has interfered with your goals or true self.
Taking the First Step
Do you recognise these signs of narcissistic abuse in your life, if so; seeking therapy is a crucial part towards healing. Therapy can give you the support, guidance and tools that to move past narcissistic abuse, claim your sense of self.
For more information on how therapy can further help you heal from Narcissistic Abuse see All in the Family Counselling Emotional Group Work This initial step towards therapy will support you in your healing and growth as a person.
Narcissistic abuse can cause lasting trauma, but it’s possible to heal and move on with the help of supportive friends/family members or a licensed therapist.
