Dealing with a narcissist often puts your mind in overdrive. You replay conversations, overanalyze their actions, and try to predict their next move.
This constant mental chatter traps you in a cycle of stress and self-doubt. Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema points out that rumination elevates stress hormones, leaving your brain unable to relax, which can trigger headaches.
6. Suppressed Emotions Create Internal Pressure
Expressing emotions around a narcissist can feel impossible. Suppressing feelings to avoid criticism or rejection creates a buildup of internal pressure that often leads to physical symptoms like headaches.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, emphasizes that unexpressed emotions can manifest as chronic stress and physical pain.
7. Poor Sleep from Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety from living with a narcissist can disrupt sleep, leaving your body unable to recover. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, highlights that chronic stress reduces sleep quality, exacerbating both physical and mental health issues. Poor sleep makes you more prone to headaches, creating a vicious cycle.
8. The Silent Treatment Causes Chronic Tension
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