Abusive relationships and personality disorders do not always go hand in hand. But if your @ partner or a member of your family is a narcissist, your life can become very difficult.
The fact is that the word narcissism has entered our vocabulary strongly in recent years, so it remains to be seen what really applies in such a situation, especially on the part of the perpetrator in order to find a solution to the role of the victim.
Cohabitation with a @narcissistic @ partner can lead to a phenomenon called narcissistic abuse syndrome (also known as narcissistic victim syndrome), which adversely affects a person’s self-confidence and mental health. This is not a mental health condition that can be officially diagnosed, but it can be a harsh reality for someone who is in a relationship with a narcissist.
But what exactly is narcissism?
Narcissism is an egocentric personality trait in which a person often occupies his or her own physical or mental state or image.
“It involves feeling superior to other people with a sense of entitlement and general contempt for the feelings of others,” Rashmi Parmar, a California-based psychiatrist, told Health.
Narcissists have a majestic sense of self, with imaginary thoughts and feelings about their achievements or success. They constantly crave praise and admiration from others and may be deeply afraid of rejection and longing for approval or recognition from other people.
“Another key feature is that narcissists often try to control or manipulate others and can be verbally or emotionally abusive at times,” he explains. “They find it difficult to admit their shortcomings and blame others most of the time for all their mistakes.”
Parmar points out that narcissism in its true sense must be considered as a spectrum and a mild form of it is in fact a
healthy trait that is essential for the development of a mature ego. However, when this range reaches its extremes, it is categorized as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) as it falls under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
What is narcissistic abuse syndrome?
Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional abuse that a person experiences in relation to a narcissist.
“People who are in a relationship with a narcissist can experience significant physical and particularly emotional abuse,” says Santa Monica-based psychologist Sheila Forman, PhD. Narcissists tend to use manipulative words and a particular way of communicating to underestimate, cancel, manipulate or control their behavior, whether they are aware of it or not. As a result, @companion feels inadequate or even failed.
Being a victim of a person’s narcissistic disorder can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including emotional outbursts, flashbacks, isolation, distraction, avoidance, and hypervigilance.
Narcissistic abuse syndrome results from constant or significant exposure to a pathologically narcissistic person. The affected person feels overwhelmed in the relationship, especially with an emotionally abusive and manipulative person. The relationship often revolves around the narcissistic person at the expense of the other person’s emotional well-being.
The affected person ends up feeling useless and confused and can blame himself for the failure of the relationship. You may also (if you feel like identifying) notice that you are very careful with a narcissistic family member and are easily motivated to agree with him or her to avoid any confrontation.
In the long run, trying too hard to gain the narcissist’s approval can lead to a loss of self-esteem. Affected people often struggle with severe loss of self-esteem and confidence, they may also find it difficult to trust them.
others and it often seems like a huge uphill to be able to make the simplest decision of their lives. They are often isolated from others for fear that people may not understand or even believe what they are really experiencing.
Do not blame yourself if you are a victim of a narcissistic character
Most people do not have the full picture when they engage with a narcissist because the scars usually do not appear until the relationship is established.
While every relationship is different, research published in the journal Mental Health Nursing in 2019 suggests that abuse tends to start slowly. During the first days, the narcissus is usually tender and generous, and can even surpass the peak with expressions of affection and admiration. With such intense care and special treatment, it is possible to lose any discreet warning signs.
In addition, narcissists use a variety of techniques to manipulate others, such as questioning their own reality, ignoring their feelings, and refusing to engage in discussion. But all their narcissistic techniques serve the same purpose, to make the other more prone to emotional abuse.
Sometimes narcissistic abuse is part of an interdependent relationship. The narcissist creates a relationship with another person and manipulates him to become dependent on the narcissist. Retreating @ partner makes the narcissist feel better about himself, but they are usually just as dependent on their partner because they need him or her to be the target of their emotional abuse again.
Do not be afraid to ask for help
It is important to seek help if you feel that you or someone you love is struggling with this syndrome. Narcissistic abuse syndrome can have a serious impact on a person’s emotional health over time and according to research lead to serious psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Working with a therapist is a good first step towards liberation from a narcissist and recovery from narcissistic abuse syndrome. However, it is not always an easy and linear process.
Not everyone who is influenced by a narcissist is willing or able to see the impact of this relationship. Some people may even approach a Psychologist with the goal of improving themselves because they have made them feel so ashamed and stressed that they end up believing that the problem lies with them and not the narcissist.
If you feel the need to seek immediate help, consider contacting the mental health services in your area, as this will make it easier for you to turn to a specialist who in turn will help you in the best possible way. Teletherapy is an equally effective choice.
In conclusion, if the abuse you are experiencing has turned into a physical one, staying with the narcissistic character in your environment endangers your health, so it would be good to contact the Helpline 15900 immediately. This is a national service. enables victims to communicate directly with a gender-based violence agency. And these, if you are still wondering, are the most correct solutions to every “why now” you can hear out there.
So now, because tomorrow may indeed be too late.
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