The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions. This is very similar to what victims of narcissistic abuse go through, namely Post Narcissist Stress Disorder (PNSD).
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
If you or a loved one has just gone through a breakup with a narcissist, watch out for these signs of PTSD: Episodes of panic and fear that come out of nowhere. Extreme reactions—physical or emotional—to traumatic reminders. Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Narcissistic abuse syndrome is generally treated through trauma therapies. These therapies are able to help you to release the trauma, and “reset” the mind and body, so that the brain is finally able to record the trauma as being “finished,” and in the past.
You may even have a trauma bond with your abuser, which is a strong emotional bond that happens during an abuse cycle. While it takes time to heal, you will feel better along the way, so the future is looking bright. Some people may take weeks or months to recover, while others take years.
Is it possible to fully recover from narcissistic abuse? It can take years to fully recover from the damage that was done because of the psychological manipulation that you have endured. That being said, moving past the abuse and achieving full recovery is entirely possible with professional help.
Long-term abuse can change a victim's brain, resulting in cognitive decline and memory loss. In turn, the changes in the brain can increase the risk for chronic stress, PTSD, and symptoms of self-sabotage.
You can start healing from narcissistic abuse by first acknowledging that it happened to you. Then, heal your mind through your body by partaking in self-care through enjoyable physical activity. Lastly, you can reach out to your support system or a support group for guidance and care.
Learning how to recover from narcissistic abuse entails acknowledging your experience, setting appropriate boundaries, and taking excellent care of yourself. Reaching out for support from trusted loved ones or a therapist is also important, as they can provide much-needed comfort, validation, and guidance.
The grief stages can last for several weeks gradually becoming less frequent for up to a year or more. The pain and fear that has been bottled up inside from a restrictive, growth-inhibiting relationship comes to the surface. Anger, blame, and helplessness, feels unmanageable and depressing.
As a narcissistic abuse survivor, you will likely have symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Your brain will be on high alert, looking out for danger. This is because the traumatic events triggered a fight or flight response within you. As a result, anything associated with those memories can trigger an anxiety attack.
Through ongoing gaslighting and demeaning of the partner, the narcissist undermines the individual's self-worth and self-confidence, creating extreme emotional abuse that is constant and devastating.
The aftermath of narcissistic abuse can include depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, a pervasive sense of toxic shame, emotional flashbacks that regress the victim back to the abusive incidents, and overwhelming feelings of helplessness and worthlessness.
Complex trauma survivors can struggle with feelings of depression, suicidal ideation as well as extreme rage.
Signs of a Trauma Bond. You might be suffering from a trauma bond if you exhibit the following behaviors: You know they are abusive and manipulative, but you can't seem to let go. You ruminate over the incidents of abuse, engage in self-blame, and the abuser becomes the sole arbiter of your self-esteem and self-worth.
Narcissistic abuse can cause psychological problems, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. Some victims of narcissistic abuse suffer from brain damage due to the abuse. There is currently no cure for this type of brain damage, but there are treatments available that can help victims recover.
“The moment that you start to wonder if you deserve better, you do.” “Just because someone desires you, does not mean that they value you.” “A healthy relationship will never require you to sacrifice your friends, your dream, or your dignity.” “When it hurts to move on, just remember the pain you felt hanging on.”
The pain of narcissistic abuse is hard to heal because it is fueled by self-loathing, shame, and guilt. The victim feels unworthy of love and that their partner only uses them for their benefit. This cycle of hurt keeps victims trapped in despair and self-hatred.
Reduced frontal cortex thickness and cortical volume associated with pathological narcissism.
Narcissistic parents cause enormous harm to their children. When grown, these victims of narcissistic abuse face seemingly insurmountable problems, including the formation of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
Unlike traditional psychiatry, which rarely looks at the brain, Amen Clinics uses brain imaging technology to identify brain patterns associated with narcissistic personality disorder and related conditions.
The four stages of the narcissistic abuse cycle are: Idealization, Devaluation, Repetition, and Discard. In this cycle, a narcissistic partner may love-bomb you, devalue your sense of self over time, repeat the pattern, and eventually, discard you and/or the relationship.
Narcissists often look for victims who struggle with insecurity and low self-esteem. People who think less of themselves and struggle with the “I am not enough” mindset tend to attract toxic partners. People with self-esteem issues tend to think of themselves as imperfect or unlovable.