5 Ways to Heal from Narcissistic Abuse
All across the social media spectrum, there are posts about narcissists. Awareness is generally good, but complex topics require more than memes and clickbait. However, if you’re reading this, you probably already know that. If you’re seeking to heal from narcissistic abuse, you’ve lived through some previously unimaginable scenarios.
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can affect any type of connection — romance, friendship, family, co-workers, neighbors, and more. It can also be much trickier to identify than anyone may expect. So, with an eye on healing, let’s begin by identifying some NPD signs. From there, we can move into a discussion about recovery.
Signs of Narcissistic Abuse in Any Kind of Relationship
Lack of Empathy
You won’t recognize this at first (see “love bombing” below). However, it won’t be long before you see their mean side. A narcissist uses cruelty as a manipulative weapon to erode other people’s confidence.
Love Bombing
When you wonder why anyone would feel attracted to a narcissist, you need look no further than their first impression. They bombard you with compliments, gestures, gifts, attention, and more. If they gain your trust, you’re less likely to question their behaviors or motives.
The above tactics are a form of gaslighting. You’ll find yourself feeling unable to understand how someone can provoke conflicting emotions in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, the narcissist in your life will display a victim mentality as they dominate conversations, display extreme mood swings, violate boundaries, break promises, and through it all, never hold themselves accountable.
All of this adds up to abuse, but you can heal.
5 Ways to Heal from Narcissistic Abuse
1. Acknowledge It
It’s painful and perhaps embarrassing to accept that someone has manipulated you. But when you acknowledge that this person is abusive, you take a giant first step towards recovery. To fully make this happen, you probably need to create enforced space between you and the abuser (see #3 below).
2. Take Care of Yourself
Healing from a narcissist’s tactics requires patience. To sustain the process, you must commit to daily self-care and self-compassion. The choices you make to show love for yourself not only fortify your mind and body, but they also remind you that you are worth the effort. Tending to your own needs is self-compassion in action. Remember, you are not to blame for the hurtful actions of someone else.
3. Set and Enforce Boundaries
Boundaries are kryptonite to deceivers. Narcissists thrive on their victims backing down without a fight. When you set and enforce healthy boundaries, you let the world know that you’re kind but not a pushover. Of course, this is easier said than done, so please do not hesitate to reach out for professional support.
4. Be Patient
All relationships and friendships require patience. In the case of bouncing back from a narcissist’s games, that goes double. You’re already dealing with a fair amount of self-blame. Don’t add to that by setting unrealistic expectations in terms of healing. Take it one day at a time.
5. Create a Support System
This is not a solo act. We’ve already mentioned the importance of contacting a mental health practitioner. In addition, lean on the friends and family members you trust. Give them room to support you through this challenge. They can provide the honesty and safety that the narcissist refused to supply.
It cannot be overstated how important it is to reach out for assistance. Narcissist abuse can be a traumatic source of suffering. In the aftermath, you must find proven paths for processing and resolving the experiences you endured. With that in mind, we invite you to set up a free and confidential consultation as soon as possible.
