Angela Atkinson's Blog, page 23

When Narcissistic Abuse Makes You Afraid to Leave Home

In the depths of my toxic relationship, I found myself feeling really sort of numb. I functioned like a robot and did just the bare minimum I needed to do to get by. When I finally left, I thought everything would change – I thought my life would suddenly get better and I tried really hard to act as if that were the case. But just under the surface, there was a sort of anxiety that bubbled up every time I thought about going out in public.

I stopped taking care of myself in certain ways....

Tired of Being a People-Pleaser? Try this.

Are You a People-Pleaser? This is How You Cure the Disease to Please

Going through a toxic relationship with a narcissist often leads to a very unhealthy habit: people-pleasing. How many times have you not followed your heart because you were worried about what other people might think? How often have you avoided doing something you truly wanted to do because you couldn’t stand the idea that other people would judge you?

Have you based your major life choices on your own desires, or have you...

6 Ways A Narcissist Manipulates

Being in a relationship with a narcissist is confusing and can completely change the way you feel, think or believe things about yourself for a reason. They are constantly manipulating! There are many forms of abuse and manipulation in the narcissists repertoire of toxic behavior, the following video gives a brief description of 6 of these. Understanding the ways you are being manipulated can help you to see the situation for what it is and the narcissist for who they are. If breaking trauma...

This is what narcissists really want in a partner

What do narcissists want in a partner? What traits do narcissists appreciate in their targets? Dana Morningstar from Thrive After Abuse and I covered these points and more during our recent discussion on the characteristics of narcissists and what narcissists look for in a victim.

Learn more about narcissists and “narcissistic supply” right here.

In this video, we also respond to an article from PsychCentral entitled Traits Narcissists Appreciate in their Targets by Shari Stines, PhD.

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These Self-Help Exercises Based on Polyvagal Theory Will Make You Feel Safer in Your Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Self-Help Exercises for CPTSD Symptoms Based on Polyvagal Theory, Plus Q&A – FEEL Safer

In THIS VIDEO, I talk about a theory developed by Dr. Stephen Porges that could change the way we heal trauma, and once I’ve given you a brief overview of the theory, I’m going to share some self-help exercises that you can do at home to help you get through the hard times.

Going through a toxic relationship often leaves victims feeling fearful to a debilitating level. For most of us, it affects our...

This is How You Decide Who You Are After Narcissistic Abuse

“We must not allow other people’s limited perceptions to define us.” ~Virginia Satir

After you go through a toxic relationship with a narcissist, you are very likely to have an impaired ability to see yourself clearly. Thanks to months, years or even decades of conditioning, you probably have a very damaged self-perception. But it’s time for you to take another look at your amazing self and see the truth.

You’re much better than you’ve been giving yourself credit for – and it’s time you...

Clutter as a Symptom of Narcissistic Abuse

Are you living in clutter? One of the least-discussed symptoms of CPTSD as a result of a toxic relationship with a narcissist is the way you keep your space – your home and/or office. This can take one of two forms: extreme organization and obsessively clean – or cluttered and disorganized. In both cases, there parallels we can draw to our pasts and our toxic relationships.

But when survivors are obsessively clean and organized, most people won’t see this as a negative issue (unless it gets...

You Have to Be Your Own Best Advocate – Here’s How

Self Advocacy After a Toxic Relationship: What it Takes to Become Your Own Self Advocate After a Toxic Relationship With a Narcissistic Abuser.

Is self-advocacy a state of mind? What is self-advocacy in relation to narcissistic abuse? How do you advocate for yourself when you are afraid to stand up for yourself? Where do you need to self-advocate and HOW do you self-advocate? What do you say and how do you behave when you need to stand up for yourself?

These questions and more will be...

Triggered? Dealing with Criticism After a Toxic Relationship

Toxic relationships with narcissists make us very sensitive to criticism. But some criticism is positive – it’s constructive and helpful. It’s hard to learn to be open to constructive criticism for us – but we also have to learn how to sift out the not-so-helpful stuff.

So many times in life we would like to try something new. Like a new sport, different style haircut, changing clothing or losing weight. But we are afraid to try because of the criticism we might receive from others because...

Detaching From A Narcissist

Breaking Trauma Bonds and Detaching Emotionally From a Narcissist

Are you trying to break trauma bonds and detach from the narcissist? If you think you may be trauma bonded know that you are not alone, weak, at fault and do deserve so much more. You deserve to feel and believe in the amazing person that you are as well as have others in your life that see and appreciate you. You can take steps to begin to heal and there is support out there to help you along the way. Gaining a higher sense of...