6 Strong Signs You Have Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome.

                           

6 Strong Signs You Have Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome.

 Narcissistic abuse syndrome

You may be like many people who have experienced narcissistic and emotional abuse, you probably didn't realize what was happening to you until you reached a point of near-insanity and began to search desperately for the reasons why your fictional relationship turned worse. Living with a narcissistic partner can lead to a condition known as narcissistic abuse syndrome. The clinical term for this condition is C-PTSD.

What is narcissistic abuse?

Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional abuse committed by someone who suffers from narcissism or sociopathy. These individuals have a tendency - whether conscious or unconscious - to use words and language in manipulative ways to damage, change, or control their partner's behavior. While all narcissistic abuse generally falls under the description of "thought control" or "emotional manipulation," there are several ways narcissists tend to follow. Some narcissists use manipulative techniques such as gaslighting to overwhelm and confuse their partners until they become more vulnerable to their demands and abuse.

What is Narcissistic abuse syndrome? 

Narcissistic victim syndrome is a term that collectively describes these specific and often dangerous effects of narcissistic abuse. While it is not a recognized mental health condition, many experts acknowledge that narcissistic abuse can have a serious and long-lasting impact on emotional health. People with narcissistic abuse syndrome often doubt their self-worth or reason. They are usually very concerned about their flaws, failures, and other shortcomings - regardless of whether or not these issues are real. In many cases, they are just thoughts that their narcissistic partner has implanted in their minds.

Those with narcissistic abuse syndrome often have a hard time getting to know the reality. As their minds will be distorted and confused by constant abuse and emotional manipulation, they may begin to question what they know is real. There are a number of symptoms that can affect someone with narcissistic abuse syndrome. Many of these symptoms mimic those seen in people with PTSD, a condition that affects people who have experienced severe trauma.

Some of  Narcissistic Abuse  symptoms can include:

1. You feel isolated.

When loved ones don't listen to you, you are likely feeling lonely. This leaves you vulnerable to further manipulation. The abuser might push you to return to it with kindness, or even an apology, or by pretending the abuse never happened. This tactic, known as hoovering, often works best when you lack support. You are more likely to suspect your perceptions of abuse when you cannot talk to anyone about it. If loved ones contact to say you made a mistake and encourage you to give the abusive partner another chance, you may end up doing so simply to restore that connection with them.

2. You always feel like you've done something wrong.

The main feature of narcissism is the difficulty in taking responsibility for any negative actions or harmful behavior. Abusive partners usually find some way to blame you instead. They may accomplish this by deception, often by: Insist that they said something you don't remember When he gets really angry you end up comforting him by apologizing and agreeing that you were wrong. 

They respond with great anger:

How dare you doubt my loyalty, having shown you over and over again how much I love you? How do you know that I even received phone calls from someone? You have been intruding on my privacy. Obviously, you don't care about me at all." 

This barrage of anger can make you feel helpless and dependent, grateful for wanting to be with someone who makes a lot of mistakes. Even after leaving the relationship, you might continue to believe that you can't do anything right. When things go wrong in other areas of life, you may struggle to accept that you didn't cause these problems

3. You have difficulty making decisions.

A pattern of criticism and demotion can leave you with little self-confidence and low self-esteem. Narcissistic abuse often includes frequent repercussions on your ability to make decisions and you cannot do anything right. An abusive partner may describe you as downright stupid or ignorant, although he or she might insult you in a false emotional tone: “Honey, you are so stupid. How would you manage things without my help?” Over time, you may begin to internalize these insults and associate them with your self-awareness, thus constantly guessing yourself as a result. Gas lighting tactics can make you doubt your decision-making abilities.

If someone manipulated you into believing that you imagined things that actually happened, you may continue to doubt your perception of the events. This uncertainty can affect your ability to make decisions well in the future.

4. You have unexplained physical symptoms .

Abuse can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness that sometimes lead to physical symptoms. You might notice:

•  Appetite changes 
• Stomach upset or nausea
• Stomach pain and other digestive disorders 
• Muscle aches and pains Insomnia fatigue

Sometimes the use of alcohol and other substances may appear to be a helpful way to manage these symptoms, especially insomnia. As a result, you may end up consuming more than you want in an effort to manage unwanted emotions or physical distress.

5. You have symptoms of anxiety , depression & stress .

Narcissistic abuse can sometimes be unpredictable. You may not know if they will criticize you or surprise you with a gift. If you do not know what someone is going to do or say at any given point, you may develop a lot of stress due to the need to regularly prepare yourself for facing conflict. Worrying about the constant flow of criticism and how to better deal with the offensive behaviors that you are starting to recognize can always put you in tension. You may not know how to relax anymore.

Anxiety and depression usually develop as a result of narcissistic abuse. The intense stress you experience can trigger persistent feelings of anxiety, nervousness and fear, especially when you never know what to expect from their behavior.

You may feel hopeless or worthless, lose interest in the things that used to bring you happiness, and struggle to see more hopeful results in the future. It's also common to have a lot of confusion about the cause of the sudden change, especially if you don't know much about narcissism. 

You may bear the blame for the abuse, you may believe their accusations that you do not care about them enough or blame yourself for falling into their deception, in the first place either of them can increase your feelings of worthlessness and lower your self-esteem.

6. You lost your identity.

When faced with abuse, many people eventually adjust their identity to fit an abusive partner. Suppose your partner insists, "When you go out with your friends, you make me feel that you don't love me. You'd rather see them than spend time with me." Of course you love him, so you stop hanging out with your friends. Then, you give up on your hobbies and skip after-work drinks with co-workers, and eventually cancel your weekly visit with your sister. 

You spend time doing what your partner wants to do, until you prove to him that you really care. Often these changes lead to a loss of your sense of self, which can leave you feeling lost and empty. You may struggle to enjoy life and lose your sense of purpose

How to find help

Any type of abuse can have a major impact on your emotional and physical health. If loved ones are still suspicious of you or telling you to move forward, you may feel inaudible and unsupported. This may make it difficult for you to trust people again, leaving you feeling isolated and alone. Whether you are just starting to notice the first signs of narcissistic abuse or are still trying to understand the relationship you have already let go,.

Therapy can help you get started in your recovery.

A therapist who specializes in recovering from abuse or personality disorders can be helpful to verify your experience - which you probably did not classify as abuse while it was occurring and to provide appropriate treatment.

The Therapy provides a safe space for:

Learn coping strategies to manage mental health symptoms Practice setting healthy boundaries in relationships 

Explore ways to rebuild your sense of self An abuse recovery therapist can validate your experience, Help you understand that you are not at fault, and provide support during the early stages of your recovery.

Sources:

healthline.com/narcissistic-victim-syndrome