Number six: Fear of Receiving Praise (Doxophobia). Were you ever truly praised by the narcissist? Likely not. They may have praised you publicly, but privately, they were critical and judgmental. Any compliments were mixed with aggression or hidden agendas. This led to a trauma response where receiving praise now feels uncomfortable. There’s a deep-seated belief, “I’m a bad person,” projected onto you by the narcissist. When someone genuinely praises your work, you downplay it, thinking, “It’s not that big of a deal.” This discomfort makes you feel small, allowing narcissists and others to take advantage of you.
Number seven: Fear of Freedom (Eleutherophobia). After years of being controlled, you may develop a fear of personal freedom. The responsibility that comes with freedom can feel overwhelming because you were micromanaged by the narcissist. At first, you resented the control, but over time, it became your way of life. Now, without them, the world feels like a scary place—you don’t know how to navigate it on your own. Every step feels wrong, and you’re constantly looking for someone to guide you. If you’re feeling this fear, keep going. You will get used to taking control back and living a new way of life.
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