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Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where the perpetrator manipulates someone into questioning and doubting their own reality. This tactic is commonly used by narcissists to exert control over those close to them, often leaving the victim feeling as if they are losing their sanity.
One thing that is completely off limits to narcissistic people is to talk about how you feel about their bad behavior. This is sure to bring about the wrath of the narcissist, due to their core shame. If you are a product of a narcissistic family, relationships or society in general, you will have learned to sweep feelings of pain, disappointment, anger and hurt under the rug because these things are not safe to talk about.
Narcissism is misunderstood by so many and people are often referred to as a narcissist for all the wrong reasons. Maybe someone likes to post “selfies” on social media, or is overly concerned with their appearance, or a little self-absorbed in their work or business. But this doesn’t make them a narcissist.
Most people coming out of a relationship where there is narcissistic abuse suffer from CPTSD or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You might wonder what is the difference between CPTSD and PTSD?
Many people believe Narcissism is a Mental Illness and therefore should treat people with narcissistic behavior with more understanding and care. There is a lot to clear up about Narcissism as a Mental Illness and in this article, I will break it down.
Although there is a diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder in the DSM 5, very few people with narcissistic traits ever seek help. Why should they? Most people with narcissism signs are doing just fine. It is the people around them who are suffering.
Most people when they think of Narcissism, think of NPD, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. There is a tendency to place everyone with narcissistic traits into the category of someone with a personality disorder. But observing narcissism traits doesn’t necessarily suggest the individual would be diagnosed with NPD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While it’s natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation, most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. However, for some individuals, the distressing memories, emotions, and physical reactions associated with the trauma persist, interfering with daily life and functioning. Understanding PTSD symptoms is crucial for early identification and seeking appropriate support.
Often when we are asking the question “am I experiencing narcissistic abuse,” it is more important to tune into your own experiences, feelings and emotions rather than focus on the person you believe might be a narcissist. Although understanding narcissistic traits can help you to identify if the person in question is a narcissist, your own experiences need to be taken into consideration.
Having narcissistic traits doesn’t make one a full-blown narcissist or indicate a diagnosable personality disorder. When we live in a society where narcissism is normalized, we all become a little narcissistic.
