Healing from Narcissistic abuse is one of the most difficult forms of abuse to heal from because it can be so hard to identify. Narcissistic abuse is usually very subtle and so hideous, that people just can’t see it. Narcissists will do everything in their power to isolate you so you have no outside support.

It’s important that you know what signs of Narcissistic abuse and the indicators that you’re healing from narcissistic abuse, so let’s dive into this!

A Big indication that you are healing from narcissistic abuse is your ability to identify the signs of narcissistic abuse. This may be hard for someone who has never experienced it before, but the more you learn about this type of abuse and what makes it different than other types of emotional or physical abuse, the easier it will become to identify.

The Cycle of Narcissistic Abuse Tends

to go like this:

A relationship with a narcissist often starts with “love-bombing.” This is when they give you gifts or favors and say that they love you and want to be with you forever. Sometimes it happens very early in the relationship.

You are their soulmate. During this phase, they are seeing just how far you will let them go. They are mirroring your very essence back to you as a manipulation so you feel as if they are the one.
A narcissist will use the Devaluing stage to make you feel like you are not right or good enough. They might take your ideas or thoughts and say they are stupid. Or, they might tell you that everything is all your fault and blame everything on you.

They will gossip about you to everyone you both know, this is a subtle way of starting to smear you in order to confuse and isolate you from any support in the future.

Unfortunately, too many people are not aware of how toxic this behavior alone is. This is where they will attempt to make you look crazy so people doubt you and start to pity them.
The relationship will often reach a point where you are discarded or you make the decision to say that it is over. You can do this by setting up some boundaries and going no contact with the narcissist. But if they try to get you back, the relationship WILL get worse, and then there may be more harm on your end.

Once you attempt to implement your own control over yourself again, they will try to hoover you back in by promising to change or reverting back to the love-bombing persona. They wear many masks and become many different personalities.

Here are some signs that you are in a relationship with a narcissist are

Are You in a Relationship with a Narcissist?

To be in a relationship with someone who is narcissistic is fragmenting. They will fragment every part of who you are into multiple pieces until you no longer recognize who you are anymore.

Narcissists see nothing wrong with manipulating and lying to others to gain control or get what they want. When you are in a relationship with a monster, you will lose your autonomy to make decisions that are best for you because your decisions are made on the lies that are used by the narcissist.

They have zero empathy, and none of their behavior affects them as they carry on with living day to day as if what they do is normal. They believe the world around them is like they are. Are you with a Narcissist?

Enduring Impact of Narcissistic Abuse

Surviving narcissistic abuse can leave a lasting imprint, leading to a spectrum of effects that can be challenging to manage. These impacts can range from mild to severe, with some even having the potential to be life-threatening. Here are some of the enduring effects that victims of narcissistic abuse may experience:

Mental Health Disorders: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop as a result of emotional trauma.
Diminished Self-Esteem: Victims often struggle with feelings of low self-worth, leading to a sense of losing their identity.
Self-Blame: A tendency to internalize the abuse can result in an inability to forgive oneself due to a perceived sense of unworthiness.
Physical Symptoms: Stress can manifest physically, leading to headaches, stomach discomfort, or generalized body aches.
Sleep Disturbances: High-stress levels and incessant worrying can lead to difficulties in falling asleep or maintaining sleep.
Nightmares: Distressing dreams can be a common occurrence.

Memory Issues: Short-term memory loss can be a side effect of sustained stress.
Emotional Instability: Mood swings and irritability can become frequent.
Emotional Numbness: A sense of emotional disconnect or feeling that something is amiss in the surrounding world can develop.
Resentment: Feelings of vengeance or hatred towards the abuser may persist.

Increased Risk of Mental Disorders: If the abuse occurred during childhood, the risk of developing mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD is heightened.
Trust Issues: Long-term manipulation can lead to difficulties in trusting others.
Hyper-Sensitivity: An increased sensitivity to criticism or judgment can develop.
People-Pleasing Behavior: In an attempt to gain approval, victims may develop a tendency to excessively please others.

Self-Punishment: Victims may engage in self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, reckless spending, or overeating as a form of self-punishment.

Is Narcissistic Abuse Lethal? A Closer Look

Let’s sit down and really talk about this – the impact of narcissistic abuse. It’s a tough topic, but it’s so important to understand. You see, while this kind of abuse might not directly cause physical harm, it can set off a domino effect that leads to some really serious, even life-threatening situations.

Think about it like this – one of the ways people try to cope with emotional pain is by turning to substances. It’s like a temporary escape, you know? But this can spiral into addiction, which comes with its own set of health risks. In the worst cases, it can even be fatal.

And we can’t forget about the mental health side of things. The impact of narcissistic abuse on a person’s mental health is huge. Depression, and anxiety – are common struggles for survivors. And sometimes, these feelings can become so intense that they lead to thoughts of suicide. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s a reality we need to face.

So, while narcissistic abuse might not directly cause death, the long-term effects can lead to situations that are seriously dangerous.

It’s so important to recognize these risks. And remember, it’s okay to ask for help. Professional support can make all the difference in navigating the healing process. You’re not alone in this.

Here Are Some Signs that you are in a Relationship with a Narcissist:

They are a pathological liar. They have no regard for the truth and will lie again and again to get what they want.

The narcissist is always right, you’re wrong!

Their lies may be harmless at first but as time progresses their lying becomes more frequent and extreme in order to control or exploit you.
In the narcissist’s world, you are worthless and do not deserve to make decisions for yourself.
They want all of your attention so they will gaslight you in order to keep it all for themselves. This is a form of mental abuse that causes people with low self-esteem or a sense of identity to question their reality or sanity.
They will deflect blame onto you no matter how much they hurt you and take all the credit for anything good that happens so it seems like their narcissistic behavior is your fault.
Their needs are always more important than yours because in their mind they’re better or else why would anyone want to be with them?

You are forced to watch your every move in order to not enrage them. This will slowly break you down.
Narcissists will manipulate you to get what they want and blame you when it doesn’t work out for them like a child would do with an adult in order to avoid punishment. They often play games, show false emotions, and give fake apologies as if their behavior is acceptable.

How to begin healing from narcissistic abuse

Narcissist has no empathy or concern for how their behavior impacts others because everything is about them as if the world revolves around them.
They will do anything to get what they want, even if it means hurting you over and over again.
The narcissist makes you feel like a fool for not understanding that their behavior is normal because they know best about everything in the world while criticizing your every move or decision no matter how hard you try.
Narcissist has a superiority complex which is the underlying problem with their behavior and they will punish you for not understanding or accepting this as reality.
When something doesn’t go according to plan, instead of admitting that they are wrong about it or made an error in judgment, the narcissist will blame someone else for their mistake.
They enjoy putting you down to make themselves feel better and have no qualms about making fun of your appearance, weight, or any other thing they don’t like about you in front of others for a laugh.
The narcissist will not take responsibility for anything that goes wrong because it’s always someone else at fault or else it’s too much trouble to work on anything.
They are the smartest person in the room and nothing is ever their fault because they never make any mistakes. According to them, they do everything the way they are supposed to do it, so society sees them as good.
The narcissist will be critical of your appearance, clothes, weight, sex drive, or whatever they can judge you for so that it makes them feel better about themselves as if this somehow is loving to them.

signs you are healing — signs you’re healing from narcissistic abuse

Narcissistic abuser thrives off of control and power so they will take whatever it takes to make you theirs as if you are property, they believe they own you.
For the narcissist, success is defined as their happiness or getting what they want at any cost no matter how much pain this causes others.

You do not feel like yourself, you have changed and it is a change that does not feel good.

How to Begin Healing from Narcissistic Abuse

When you are in an unsafe environment, it is hard to heal. You need to get away from the narcissist. If you stayed with a person who abuses you for a long time, you have typically grown accustomed to the misery of the environment.

After many months or years this, you will need the space to find yourself again. If you are with a narcissist, go for no contact or minimal contact. If you have kids, try to get away from the narcissist.

If you have kids, they will be the new weapon to use to hurt you. Once you leave, it will become clear that the Narcissist hates you more than they love their own children by how they use them to get to you.

Remember narcissists cannot love anyone, and certainly do not love their children. It is a power and control issue for them.

With minimal contact, you need to see the narcissists for what they are and keep your expectations low. You can be sure that this person will try to get you back into the relationship.

But if they can’t do that, they won’t show empathy or understanding in your interactions with them. Remember do not give in and give them any EMOTIONAL reaction. This only validates their own inner narcissism.

Navigating the Road to Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse

Experiencing narcissistic abuse can leave deep scars, impacting every facet of your life. It’s not uncommon to lose friends, family, or even jobs while entangled with an abuser. But remember this – while the journey to recovery may be long and complex, it’s absolutely possible. Let’s walk through this journey together, step by step.

Recognizing the Abuse

The first step on the road to recovery is acknowledging the abuse. Narcissistic abuse can be so subtle that you might spend a long time questioning whether it even happened. You might have spent so long rationalizing the abuser’s behavior that accepting it as inexcusable can be tough. But remember, denying the abuse only robs you of the chance to address it.

For children who’ve suffered narcissistic abuse, acknowledging it can be even harder. They might be confused, or even blame themselves. It’s crucial for them to understand that they did nothing to deserve such treatment.

Drawing the Line with Your Abuser

Narcissistic abusers often promise to change, but don’t be fooled – it’s just another manipulation tactic. That’s why setting boundaries is so important. If possible, cut all ties. Block their number, and shut down any other avenues they might use to contact you.

But what if going no-contact isn’t an option? If your abuser is a family member, or you share children, you’ll need to set firm boundaries. Be clear that you won’t tolerate their abusive behavior, and be ready to remove yourself from any interaction where abuse is present.

Working Through Your Emotions

Breaking free from an abusive relationship can unleash a torrent of emotions – sadness, anger, grief, and in the case of narcissistic abuse, often shame, suspicion, fear, anxiety, or even symptoms of PTSD. It’s important to work through these feelings in a healthy way. Consider seeking the help of a therapist, who can provide a safe and neutral environment for you to process your emotions.

Remember, it’s okay to feel pain. It’s a necessary part of the healing process. Allow yourself to feel each emotion, process it, and let it pass.

Rediscovering Yourself

In the aftermath of narcissistic abuse, it’s time to focus on you. Rediscover who you are, reconnect with friends and family, and practice self-care. The National Domestic Violence Hotline suggests that self-care can significantly improve your self-esteem and aid in your recovery. This could include positive affirmations, exercise, breathing exercises, or even picking up a new creative hobby.

Shifting your focus back onto yourself after focusing so long on someone else can be challenging. But remember, it’s okay to take it slow. Healing takes time.

Seeking Professional Help

Recovering from narcissistic abuse is a tough journey, and it’s okay to seek professional help. A trained mental health professional/or Trauma Coach can validate your emotions, help you process complex feelings, and guide you toward appropriate therapy.

Therapies that might help include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EDMR), and art therapy.

Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. You’re not alone in this journey. Together, we can navigate the road to recovery.

healing narcissistic abuse — Signs of Recovery From Narcissistic Abuse

Create a support system around you that will help you implement some techniques to keep you in reality, remember you have experienced some of the most detrimental psychological abuse inflicted on humans. It is important to learn presence. Put together a trusted group of family or friends, or work with a coach. I have an 8-week Narccistic Abuse Recovery Program, you can see more here!

Signs You Are Healing From Narcissistic Abuse

Healing will be different for every person, we are all unique with our own life experiences that will play a role in how we move beyond this monstrous experience. some may take a few weeks, others may need a few years.

As for me, I went through many changes including a dark night of the soul, and a rebirth spiritually. These experiences are life-altering, no matter how bad they got I can promise you, that there is light and you will prosper into a much more authentic version of yourself as you move beyond this nightmare.

Narcisistic abuse — how to heal from narcissistic abuse

You are beginning to find things you enjoy again, you are no longer obsessing over the narcissist. The ever-presence of them in your mind is fading.
You will be more in touch with your feelings. You might not need to distract yourself as much from the outer world. You are feeling the alignment with your inner world.
You are starting to take care of yourself and implement habits that are in your best interest. Eating healthier, meditation or yoga, intentionally checking in with your inner feelings.
Your mind is no longer wandering off living in the past, you find yourself more present.
You are beginning to feel a sense of relief, you are seeing what a nightmare you have survived and what it has taught you about yourself.

You are no longer afraid to talk about your experience and feel the desire to be of service to others that are experiencing this trauma.
You are starting to trust yourself again. And I mean in a way that is intuitive. You are following what you feel more and more.
Finally, You are Smiling more.

Being in a relationship with a narcissist is not good. For most, that have experienced an intimate relationship with a narcissist it is absolute nightmare and one of the worst acts of betrayal a human can experience by another human.

It makes your body feel like it is always fighting, running away, or freezing. You will feel better when you are not around the narcissist. Time helps, but you will have to choose to heal in order to fully understand what you have experienced.

Are You are in a Relationship with a Narcissist — Signs you’re healing from narcissistic abuse

A word from Create Higher Vibrations

The post was written to provide hope and encouragement for those who have experienced narcissistic abuse. The key is to focus on yourself and your future, and how you move into the best version of yourself from this experience.

It’s important to take care of yourself with healthy habits like meditation or yoga or other healthy habits you enjoy in order to stay grounded during the healing process. Remember–you can’t change them so it might be best if you cut off all contact altogether! For more help navigating these difficult waters, feel free to reach out to me anytime!!