Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse, Gaslighting, Codependency and Complex PTSD (4 Books in 1): Workbook and Guide to Overcome Trauma, Toxic Relationships, ... and Recover from Unhealthy Relationships)

by Linda Hill

When it’s allowed to go on long enough, the victim loses their ability to trust themselves or their own perceptions of what’s real. And, again, there are different ways a toxic person tries to gaslight someone: ○ They tell you that you aren’t remembering something right or that you’re plain out wrong when you know you are right. ○ They make you feel that your thoughts and feelings don’t matter to anyone else, either. ○ They withhold information, then act like they don’t know what you’re talking about.

This is when the narcissist recruits another person to side with them to support their endeavors in harming the victim. This is most often done as a form of punishing the victim either for not doing what’s expected of them or when they finally see the light and end the toxic relationship.

All they care about is winning.

It’s okay not to get an apology. We’ve already discussed that they don’t feel remorse or empathy, both of which you need to feel in order to offer a sincere apology. Plain and simple, they can’t offer something that they neither feel or relate to.

They love talking about themselves, and love being given the opportunity to prove they know more than anyone else.

In order to maintain their facade of perfection, they make you look like a bad person. Usually this involves spreading rumors, criticizing you behind your back,

or creating lies you supposedly told. The worst part is that when you try rectifying the situation, or laying the blame where it should belong,

the narcissist uses your defense to back their own lies. It’s frustrating because the generous, wonderful person they displayed initially is what those around you still see...

Additional concerns also include memory loss, inability to concentrate, losing focus performing basic tasks or “spacing out”.

Similar to PTSD, one small trigger can be all it takes to relive the trauma. Another aspect of this is a damaged self-worth that causes us to not make an effort to reach goals or dreams, or we self-sabotage because we’re convinced we don’t deserve happiness or success. Acknowledging that all you’ve gone through is abuse,