Dr. Judith Herman, psychiatrist and author of Trauma and Recovery, explains that complex PTSD (C-PTSD) isn’t just about painful memories; it’s about how those memories keep replaying in your mind and body. Flashbacks can hit as memories, sudden emotions, body sensations, or nightmares. One moment you’re fine, the next something as simple as a certain tone of voice or a familiar smell sends you spiraling. Your brain learned to stay on high alert to survive, so now even when the danger is gone, it still reacts like you’re in the middle of battle. And then there’s the emotional numbness. It’s your mind’s way of shutting down when everything feels too much. Dr. Pete Walker, author of Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving, describes this as a freeze response, where your emotions feel distant or non-existent. You might also struggle with hypervigilance, constantly scanning your surroundings for signs of danger, even in safe situations. It’s exhausting, but here’s the truth: you are not broken. Healing from C-PTSD takes time, but it is possible. Therapy, self-compassion, and grounding techniques can help you reconnect with yourself and retrain your brain to feel safe again. You survived the worst; now it’s time to learn how to truly live.
10. Hormonal Imbalances
Dr. Robert Sapolsky, a neuroscientist and author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, explains that chronic stress wreaks havoc on your hormones. When you’ve been trapped in a cycle of narcissistic abuse, your body constantly releases cortisol, the stress hormone. At first, it helps you stay alert and react to threats, but when stress is never-ending, your cortisol levels stay high, throwing your entire hormonal system off balance. This can lead to fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, or even issues with your thyroid. And it doesn’t stop there. Stress also affects your reproductive hormones, which can cause irregular periods, low libido, or even fertility problems. Dr. Gabor Maté, in his book When the Body Says No, explains how prolonged emotional stress suppresses essential functions in the body, including hormone production. That’s why you might feel exhausted, emotionally drained, or even disconnected from yourself. But here’s the good news: your body can heal. Through stress management, nutrition, therapy, and self-care, you can rebalance your hormones and start feeling like yourself again. Healing isn’t instant, but with time, your body will remember what safety feels like.
Recovering from narcissistic abuse isn’t just about getting over the past; it’s about healing your mind and body from the damage it left behind. The stress, self-doubt, and exhaustion don’t disappear overnight, but with time, support, and self-care, you can start feeling like yourself again. Your worth was never defined by how someone else treated you, and your body deserves peace just as much as your mind and heart do. Healing is a process, but every step forward, no matter how small, is proof that you’re on the right path.
Sharing is caring!
