Narcissistic abuse is psychological and emotional abuse associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). NPD causes a person to display behaviors that are self-centered and manipulative, which reflects their need for recognition or attention.
While in a relationship with a narcissist, you may have experienced abuse in the form of gaslighting, coercion or manipulation. Experiencing a relationship with this form of abuse can be extremely painful to heal from. The psychological abuse many partners of narcissists face can cause extreme insecurity, jealousy, and negative feelings.
Whether you experience physical, financial or psychological abuse, any type of abuse is traumatizing to an individual and can leave them feeling lost after leaving their partner. While it may feel impossible, you can heal from this pain.
Surviving an abusive relationship with a narcissist can be difficult and will take a lot of patience and time but there are several tips that can help guide you through this process.
1. Label the abuse. Sometimes, abuse from a narcissist can be subtle and can make you question if the abuse is real at all. Labeling someone you love as an abuser can be difficult but is a huge step in healing from your trauma. As much as it hurts, accepting that it happened can help you make sense of your relationship, and the abuse you endured. Narcissistic abuse is where the person gains a sense of control over you by:
Gaslighting
Lying
Financial abuse
Using superior behavior
Playing the victim
Manipulation
Ignoring your boundaries
Lack of empathy
Emotional abuse
2. Seek professional help.
Once you are able to label the abuse, it can be extremely helpful to reach out to a professional to guide you through your trauma. The trauma you have experienced may be difficult for you to unpack on your own, but with professional therapy, you may be able to understand and recover from the abuse.
3. Connect with friends and family.
During an emotionally vulnerable state in your life after a breakup, it's so important to surround yourself with your loved ones for support. Narcissists can isolate their partners from their loved ones, reconnecting with those people means you are ready to receive help. In addition to the support from your loved ones, consider joining a group of other abuse survivors. Having the support of other survivors that have experienced a similar journey can help you in your healing process.
4. Exercise self-care.
Taking care of your mental needs is just as important, and beneficial as taking care of your physical needs. Practicing self-care is important to practice, especially when healing from an abuser. Self-care helps you find ways to be kinder to yourself, your body, and your mind, helping you meet your physical, and emotional needs. Focusing on your mind and body connection can help you feel more confident, strong, brave, and healthier. When practicing self-care, you want to focus on:
Getting enough sleep
Paying attention to your stress levels
Eating better
Connecting with friends or family
Physical exercise
Reconnect with your hobbies
Leaving a relationship with a narcissist can be a very overwhelming, and scary process but there are several tips and resources available to victims of abuse. When healing from narcissistic abuse, labeling the abuse, seeking professional help, connecting with others and practicing self-care are great tools that can help you begin the process of returning to your true self. Additionally, there are several services within Ontario that offer assistance and support to victims of abuse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in any form
Halton’s Women's Place - Women’s shelter for domestic violence and abuse victims
Sexual Assault Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) - Everyone accepted
Find Violence Resources Near You
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html#
For assistance, feel free to reach out to us at 416 949 9878 or via email at info@georgetowncouplestherapy.com. Our team is available to support you.
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