Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

On social media, it’s gotten popular to discuss masculine and feminine energy. Boundaries have come under attack as something masculine. In this episode, we will define what a personal boundary is and what makes healthy and unhealthy. We’ll also touch on why cheating happens in narcissistic and non-narcissistic relationships. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou :...

Why are we surprised that there is a mind-body connection? That what we experience, like abuse, will affect us physiologically? We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including how we see the world blinds us from recognizing dangerous people, the possibility of having narcissism and other mental health conditions, and defining dog-whistling when it comes to abuse. Submit your question to be ans...

Have you heard of the Dark Triad Personality disorder? Some have suggested this is a new personality type. In this episode, we are going to take a look at the makeup of this individual and why they pose such a risk to us. We’ll also discuss ambiguous grief and the importance of allowing ourselves to process all kinds of losses, even toxic relationships, safely. Submit your question to be answered...

It’s become popular to call it “trauma dumping” when someone talks about their abuse. But is that an accurate description? Might we be harming others when we pathologize their need to share? In today’s episode, we’ll look closely at why victims tend to overshare traumatic experiences and how we can help support them in the healing process. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources...

I can’t even begin to describe the horrific pain I felt after leaving a narcissistically abusive relationship. The intense confusion, rage, sense of betrayal, and fear. Some have likened this stage to heroin withdrawal. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to begin healing after leaving a toxic relationship. We’ll also touch if spirituality can save narcissists from this disorder and if the partn...

There are many assumptions and myths about sexuality, especially regarding the differences between men and women. How does the objectification of women impact their sexuality, particularly their interest in sex? And what improves a couple’s connection when it comes to sex? In this episode, we will be looking at some of the common dynamics that affect physical intimacy. Come as You Are by Emily Nag...

Why do victims find it so hard to leave a difficult or toxic relationship? Conventional wisdom says it should be as simple as just leaving, but it’s not. In this episode, we’ll explore the challenges victim face when trying to leave a narcissist or an even more dangerous type of person. Insight is 20/20 by Chelli Pumphrey Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr....

What constitutes abuse? Have you ever stopped to consider the definition? Is it something that hurts a person’s feelings? In this episode, take a closer look at abuse and its subtleties. We’ll also discuss why narcissists often struggle to hold a job and the difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources Recl...

Victims spend a lot of time trying to make sense of what happened. This is understandable since doing an analysis is part of improving our sense of safety. It goes awry when it is based on the wrong information. Men and women view the world differently but so do narcissists and the rest of the population. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at these different frameworks and their impact on u...

What is the difference between a narcissist and a psychopath? Do those characteristics matter if both groups are abusive? In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at the core motivations and relationship styles of both groups as well as get into why a trauma bond is so challenging to break. What is narcissistic abuse? Dr. Milstead’s proposed definition in PsychCentral Submit your question to be a...

It’s not uncommon for narcissists to struggle with addictions, but it isn’t unusual for addicts to behave narcissistically. Does that mean those with addictions also have a personality disorder? In this episode, we explore the effects of addiction on personality, the roots of narcissism, and if we should hold out hope for our narcissistic partner to make changes. Submit your question to be answere...

After an abusive relationship is over, most victims want to know how they couldn’t have fallen for the narcissist’s love-bombing. They often are blamed for missing the red flags, as if they were naive or, worse yet, stupid. In this episode, we’ll analyze the five elements of love-bombing and what makes each of these strategies so effective   Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resourc...

Sexual intimacy is a common problem in narcissistically abusive relationships. It's often a sign that the narcissist is becoming disillusioned. In this episode, we address why some couples experience a loss of sexual interest in the bedroom. We'll also explore the defense mechanisms narcissists prefer to use, why hoovering is so prevalent, and what causes so many victims to fear romantic relations...

During the last months of narcissistic abuse, I knew I was in trouble, yet I couldn’t leave. The paralysis was palpable. A physical pain. In this episode, we’ll explore the psychological reinforcement style used and why this is so paralyzing. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic a...

Research confirms that narcissism is primarily a biosocial problem, meaning narcissists are born with personality deficits. Is it fair to hold them accountable for the damage they cause? We’ll explore this topic in depth in this podcast episode. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissisti...

Narcissistic exes often return, claiming they’ve changed. They ask to be in a relationship or to rejoin the family. In narcissistic abuse circles, this is called “hoovering.” In this podcast episode, we’ll explore if agreeing to this request is wise, define “breadcrumbing,” and take a closer look at the connection between gaslighting and cognitive dissonance. Submit your question to be answered on...

The bad boy stereotype is well-known and, unfortunately, too often true. So why do some of us repeatedly get into a relationship with someone dangerous? In this podcast, we’ll take a closer look at how we confuse intensity for attraction, the ten different personality disorders, and the common problem of the non-apology apology. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou...

A trauma bond is a fear-based connection between abusers and victims. Combine that with the mental confusion of cognitive dissonance, and the victim is stuck. In this podcast episode, we’ll examine why this powerful dynamic makes it so difficult to leave. We’ll also cover the five types of narcissists and the difference between overt and covert narcissism. Submit your question to be answered on ai...

Gaslighting has become a pretty popular term. Sometimes it’s used properly, but not always. Gaslighting, however, is a common experience of narcissistic abuse victims. In this episode, we’ll discuss the history of gaslighting as well as how it shows up in toxic relationships. We’ll also touch on when does the first symptoms of narcissism make its appearance and how to address our children’s confus...

With the popularity of social media's focus on narcissism, are we overusing the term? Isn’t everyone a little bit narcissistic? In this episode, we will explore what defines pathological narcissism as well as how to deal with narcissistic loved ones and family members. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery...

There’s nothing worse than knowing you’re in a bad relationship but can’t leave. What is a trauma bond, and why does it make acting on our behalf so difficult? In this podcast episode, we’ll explore the role mental confusion and fear play in creating an intense bond with the one harming us. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app...

Most of the time, our everyday problem-solving skills work, but not for those stranded in toxic relationships. In this podcast episode, we will delve into why our love or spiritual intervention often doesn’t help. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to...

I drove to my therapy appointment four years ago, praying and pleading for answers. Something was terribly wrong in my marriage. Should I stay? Or was I being naive for believing our relationship could be fixed? In this podcast episode, I share more of my story and what I know now and wish I’d known then. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powere...

What makes it so difficult to leave a toxic relationship? This question is the one I most frequently get asked. So why don’t those trapped in a narcissistically abusive relationship walk out? In this episode, we will discuss the underlying dynamics that make it challenging to end a toxic relationship. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered co...

Is all of this focus on narcissism and narcissists productive? Isn’t it attacking a broken group of people? Could we be demonizing them? In this episode, I tackle this tough topic, the difference between a mental condition and a personality disorder, how to recognize a toxic person on the first meeting, and what to do about a smear campaign. Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown Submit you...