Narcissistic abuse means serious mental and emotional abuse by a Narcissist. The mental self-loathing, the sense that you are worthless and insignificant, can be so damaging that cases of narcissistic abuse cannot be blamed on mental illness alone – as it can for borderline personality disorder. The dynamics alone make it clear that narcissistic abuse is something to be taken seriously. This article presents a five-step process to heal from narcissistic abuse and provides insights on dealing with the aftermaths while they are still fresh.
Recovering from narcissistic abuse can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. It’s important to have a plan and to know what to expect.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Understand the Narcissistic Abuse Cycle
Understanding the narcissistic abuse cycle can be the first step in healing from narcissistic abuse. The cycle typically goes like this: The narcissist uses emotional abuse to control and manipulate their victim. The victim then feels ashamed and humiliated, which makes them feel even more dependent on the narcissist. This cycle creates a self-reinforcing cycle of abuse. To break free, the victim must first understand the cycle and then break free from it.
Step 2: Deal with the Trauma of the Abuse
Narcissistic abuse can be a very traumatic experience for the victim. The abuse can be physical, emotional, or both. It can leave the victim feeling scared, alone, and ashamed. It is important to deal with the trauma of the abuse in order to heal. This may include talking about the abuse with a therapist, seeking support groups, or writing about the experience.
See also Why Narcissists Are Overly Emotional?
Step 3: Start Moving Forward
Narcissistic abuse can be a very difficult experience to overcome. It can leave victims feeling isolated, ashamed, and scared. It can be hard to start moving forward, but it is important to do so.
Talk about what happened. It is important to have a safe space to talk about what happened. Talking about the abuse can help to relieve some of the pain and stress that you are feeling.
Seek professional help. If you are struggling to cope with the abuse, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand what has happened and how to move on.
Step 4: Practice Self-Care
One of the most important things you can do to heal from narcissistic abuse is to practice self-care. This means taking care of yourself both physically and mentally so that you can recover and rebuild your life. Self-care includes things like eating healthy, getting exercise, and getting enough sleep.
It also includes spending time with positive people and doing things that make you happy. By taking care of yourself, you will help heal your emotional wounds and build a stronger foundation for a healthy future.
Step 5: Connect with Other Survivors
Narcissistic abuse can be a very isolating experience. In order to heal, it is important to connect with other survivors. There are many resources available to help, including support groups, hotlines, and online communities. Finding the right support can be difficult, but it is essential for healing.
Narcissistic abuse is one of the most painful forms of abuse to deal with. You may have been abused by a narcissist, or you may be dealing with someone who has narcissistic tendencies.
Regardless of your experience, it’s important to know how to heal from narcissistic abuse so that you can put the past behind you and move forward in life. It’s important to remember that narcissistic abuse is not just a mental illness; it’s also an emotional trauma that can take years to overcome.