This blog post is specifically for those who are living with a narcissist. It can be so difficult being in the same household as the narcissist because their moods are constantly changing. If you are codependent with them, you are catering to them and responding to how they are feeling on a daily basis. This can be extremely exhausting and disorienting because you never know how the narcissist is going to act.
Living your life on edge can cause spikes of adrenaline and cortisol in your body - which can cause physical complications such as inflammation and adrenal fatigue as well. Living with a narcissist can cause burn out, anxiety, and depression. Spending too much in this frame of mind can turn you into a shell of a person and also contribute to you possibly developing complex PTSD.
I think one of the most frequent things I hear from those living with a narcissist is that they are very much confused. It can be hard to get a solid grasp on reality when the narcissist is continuously gaslighting you. The confusion gets even worse when you start gaslighting yourself further. Some things you may be asking yourself are “Am I the problem? Am I the narcissist? Am I the abusive one? Am I failing as a partner? Maybe things aren’t really that bad, am I over exaggerating?” Most likely the narcissist is projecting these qualities and traits onto you, making you ask yourself these things.
This is why it can be extremely helpful to physically separate yourself from the narcissist for a period of time to truly understand how you are feeling, reconnect with your gut, and get grounded back into reality.
There are many ways to do this. You can book an air bnb in another city and spend some time recalibrating and figuring out what you want to do next. You can temporarily move in with a close friend or family member who understands your situation and supports you. Or you can secretly plan a vacation and get away for some time to find yourself before moving forward in life. If and when you do separate, it would be wise to limit contact with the narcissist over text messages and phone calls. If you physically get away but are still in constant communication with them, the break will not be as effective.
You do not have to live your life trapped under the same room as the narcissist. There are ways to get out of the abusive situation and move forward with your life. Yes, it can be extremely difficult, but most things in life worth persevering through are. If you need help separating from the narcissist in your life and breaking the cycle of abuse you are currently in, reach out for help today. Contact me using the form at the bottom of this page.
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