The intergenerational cycle of family abuse is a pattern of violence, abuse, and neglect that is passed down from one generation to the next. This cycle can occur within families, as well as between intimate partners. The cycle of abuse often begins with one person exerting power and control over another. This may be through … Read more
How do you see yourself in your mind’s eye? Do you think of yourself as kind and likeable, or generous and caring? Are you pretty, fat, thin, sporty or curvy? Do you like yourself? Are you easy to love? All these factors, and many more, are part of your self-image. This mental picture that we … Read more
When a person is in an abusive situation they rapidly learn that their situation is hopeless. This belief becomes a constant refrain in their negative self talk, draining them of any hope. Once the conditioning takes root, the victim is no longer able to assess the situation rationally.
The trauma inflicted by narcissistic abuse is deep and can be overwhelming. The gaslighting, abuse by proxy, learned helplessness and constant fear of something, no matter how small, triggering a bout of narcissistic rage are crippling. There is no doubt that it leaves a mark and changes us – it is inevitable. However the abuse … Read more
One of the most debilitating aspects of narcissistic abuse is the fact that narcissists mess with your mind and make you doubt your own sanity. Victims of narcissistic abuse are constantly walking on eggshells but cannot quite put their finger on why. The constant gaslighting and all the lies and manipulation are draining and the … Read more
Growing up in an abusive family seriously damaged my self-esteem. It made me feel worthless and unimportant. My friends, however, made me feel loved and accepted. They helped me to see myself in a new light and to believe in myself. I am forever grateful to them for their support.
Christmas, we are told, is the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone gathers with their family, eating and drinking and playing games in front of a roaring fire. It sounds lovely, does it not? However when your happy family gathering includes a narcissist, then Christmas becomes a minefield. In my case the narcissist was … Read more
When I first realised that my father was a narcissist and that his personality disorder was the underlying cause of all the inexplicably horrible things that happened to me as a child, I cried tears of relief.
