What is narcissistic abuse? The phrase refers to a specific kind of emotional abuse perpetrated by those who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder. Low empathy and a sense of inferiority in those with NPD can result in destructive, poisonous, and abusive behaviours. It can be extremely painful to go through the betrayal and injustice of narcissistic abuse.

Such abuse involves intense lovebombing as well as feelings of idealisation, devaluation, and rejection for failing to meet their partner's needs. If your partner has narcissistic traits, you may feel disrespected, invalidated, and never good enough in your attempts to make your partner happy or secure.

In order to punish, control, or express their displeasure with you, a narcissist may ignore you and refuse to interact with you. This is known as the silent treatment. When someone fully closes down in a conversation or refuses to connect with you, this is known as stonewalling. These manipulative behaviours can have a damaging psychological and emotional effect on the victim.

An example of emotional abuse known as gaslighting is when someone is purposefully misled or has the truth deliberately manipulated in order to make them feel insecure. A person who gaslights makes the victim doubt their sense of reality and makes them wonder if they are sane.

Blame-shifting is an emotionally damaging strategy or behaviour. Narcissists find it difficult to accept responsibility for problems. They go to all lengths necessary to shift blame for their predicament onto anyone else, even if it comes out as a little conspiratorial. Your head spins from the endless repetition and irritation of circular arguments, as conflicts will never seem to be resolved.

Cycles get more intense and more frequent over time, and each time you lose a bit more of who you are in your attempts to gain your partner's love and approval, you suffer from increased feelings of guilt and shame brought on by your partner's projections and criticism. You could feel helpless despite your partner's constant betrayals of your trust, harmed feelings, and triangulation with other people because you feel trapped in this toxic cycle.

Although I am educated and have an understanding of this type of relationship, I cannot give advice or a diagnosis. I will, however, provide a supportive and non-judgmental space in our individual sessions to help you find a way through those challenges and learn new ways of building healthy boundaries.