As I sit here, looking out the window, I think about my journey. The scars from narcissistic abuse remind me of the hard times. But today, I focus on the hope ahead. I’ve found my way back to myself, my boundaries, and my happiness with the right help1. So what is best therapy for narcissistic abuse? We will discuss different options of therapy for narcissistic abuse.
Narcissistic abuse is a deep and harmful kind of emotional and mental hurt. It often comes from those we trust the most. The gaslighting, love bombing, and constant control attack our self-worth and reality1. But I’ve found hope, and healing is possible, even when it feels hard.
Key Takeaways
- Narcissistic abuse can have devastating effects on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Seeking professional therapy is crucial for recovering from the trauma of narcissistic abuse
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches can help survivors rebuild self-esteem and develop healthy coping mechanisms
- The road to recovery is not linear, but with support and self-compassion, survivors can reclaim their power and find joy in life again
- Emotional management techniques and community support can be invaluable during the healing process
Understanding Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic abuse is a harmful kind of emotional and psychological abuse. It can deeply affect a person’s well-being2. It often happens in families with a parent who has narcissistic personality disorder or traits2. In these families, one child might act like the narcissistic parent, while another is blamed for everything2.
This abuse can cause a lot of harm. Victims may doubt themselves, feel bad about themselves, and suffer from trauma. People who experience narcissistic abuse might feel alone and think they’re “crazy” or “too sensitive”2. This kind of emotional trickery, called gaslighting, can really hurt their mental health.
Some narcissists also have “flying monkeys” – people who support the narcissist and don’t see the abuse2. This makes it hard for the victim to get help or leave the toxic situation.
In romantic relationships, narcissistic abuse often starts with “love bombing”3. This is when the abuser shows a lot of love at first, then shows their true abusive side later. This back-and-forth can be very confusing and traumatic for the victim.
No matter the situation, narcissistic abuse can cause deep scars. It needs special therapy and support to heal3.
Impacts of Narcissistic Abuse
Being abused by narcissists can deeply affect a person’s mental health. Those who have been through this often deal with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD, including complex PTSD4.
The ‘love bombing stage’ is when narcissists shower their victims with too much praise and attention. This makes the victim feel special and loved. But, this phase is followed by devaluation and discarding, causing emotional chaos5.
This cycle leaves victims feeling emotionally dependent and with low self-esteem. They also face the unpredictable nature of being loved or ignored5.
Narcissistic abuse happens in many areas like romantic relationships, family, friendships, or at work6. It leads to emotional pain, low self-worth, and can cause long-term mental health issues, including complex PTSD6.
Gaslighting is a tactic used to make victims doubt their own perceptions or sanity. Another issue is financial abuse, where the abuser controls the victim’s money, leaving them in a tough spot6.
This abuse can harm a person’s physical and emotional health, causing anxiety, depression, and making them feel isolated5. Survivors may also find it hard to trust others, value themselves, and make decisions because of the abuse4.
Children who see narcissistic abuse can also face mental health problems like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. They may struggle with their well-being4. If the abuser tries to contact the survivor after the relationship ends, it can lead to more abuse and trust issues4.
Survivors might turn to self-destructive behaviors, addiction, or have trouble in relationships. This is due to trust issues and the fear of being betrayed4.
Seeking Therapy for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
If trauma is making your life hard and affecting how well you function, it’s time to get help. Healing from narcissistic abuse is tough, but with the right therapy and support, you can get better. Survivors can heal, move on, and feel strong7.
Narcissistic abuse can really affect you, leading to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD7. You might also feel physical symptoms like headaches, trouble sleeping, and memory problems. Plus, you might find it hard to handle criticism and trust others7.
There are many therapies that can help you recover. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works on changing negative thoughts and feelings about yourself. Trauma-Focused CBT and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) help you deal with traumatic memories7. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills and mindfulness to cope8.
Self-care is also important for healing. Things like positive affirmations, exercise, and creative activities can help7. It’s key to work with mental health experts who understand your feelings and can guide you to the right treatments7.
For those looking for online therapy, BetterHelp connects you with over 35,000 licensed therapists. Prices start at $65 a week8. These online services offer the trauma-informed care you need to overcome narcissistic abuse8.
“Recovery from narcissistic abuse is a challenging journey, but with the right therapy and support, survivors can heal, move forward, and feel empowered.”
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a key tool for healing from narcissistic abuse. It helps survivors deal with the effects of the relationship9. This therapy helps people overcome negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors caused by the abuse9.
CBT shows how feelings, thoughts, and actions are linked. This helps survivors take back control, boost their self-worth, and improve their emotional health9. It also helps change unhealthy thought patterns and teaches ways to relax and cope9.
“CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, offering a supportive environment for individuals recovering from narcissistic abuse to challenge and change their perceptions.”
The main aim of CBT is to empower survivors to fight negative thoughts and find better ways to cope. With a skilled CBT therapist, people can work through their experiences, handle anxiety, and take back control of their lives10.
CBT offers a supportive and structured way to help survivors of narcissistic abuse. It helps them face negative thoughts and beliefs, and learn better coping skills. This way, individuals can regain their self-worth and move forward in their healing9.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a special kind of therapy for kids and teens who have gone through trauma. TF-CBT teaches survivors about trauma and helps them learn to relax and cope. It also helps them deal with memories of the trauma they faced.
The Comprehensive Approach of TF-CBT
TF-CBT usually takes 16 sessions11 and uses many techniques to help with trauma recovery. It focuses on building skills for the survivor and their caregivers. This includes parts from family therapy11. The therapy has eight main parts, each with a session for caregivers, for a full healing plan.
The first part of TF-CBT teaches about trauma and helps with relaxation and managing feelings11. It uses things like deep breathing and mindfulness to calm down11. It also helps kids and teens control their feelings better11. They learn to see how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected11. This lets them change negative thoughts to more positive ones11.
The next part of TF-CBT is about telling the story of the trauma11. It starts with just the facts and then adds in feelings and thoughts. This helps the person face and deal with the trauma safely.
Research shows TF-CBT really helps with PTSD symptoms like depression and anxiety12. Having a strong bond with the therapist is key for TF-CBT to work well12.
In summary, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a detailed and proven way to help survivors of narcissistic abuse. It helps them face their trauma, learn coping skills, and work towards recovery and well-being1112.
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy
Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy is a strong help for those with PTSD from narcissistic abuse. Survivors often avoid memories or things that remind them of the abuse. This avoidance can make their brain think these things are dangerous13. PE therapy works by slowly exposing survivors to these memories and feelings. This helps them face and deal with the abuse safely14.
Studies show PE therapy can cut PTSD symptoms by 40% to 67%14. In a study with veterans after 9/11, both PE with medicine and PE alone greatly reduced PTSD symptoms14. People in PE therapy feel better emotionally and see less depression, anxiety, and overall improvement14.
PE therapy also lowers feelings of anger, shame, and ongoing anxiety14. It helps fix distorted thinking and feelings of guilt from trauma14. A study found adding oxytocin to PE therapy helped with PTSD and depression, showing PE’s wide benefits for healing14.
PE therapy slowly introduces survivors to their traumatic memories and feelings. This helps them safely face and work through their abuse experiences. It’s a key step in recovering from narcissistic abuse14.
“PE therapy gradually exposes survivors to traumatic memories and emotions, helping them confront and process the abuse-related experiences safely.”
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a therapy that helps people who have been abused by narcissists. It makes traumatic memories less distressing and helps control physical reactions. EMDR is highly effective in easing the physical pain of traumatic events15. It’s also seen as a top treatment for trauma by health experts16.
This therapy has eight steps to deal with traumatic memories fully17. During therapy, people focus on bad memories while doing eye movements. This helps the brain heal, lowering emotional and physical pain15.
EMDR works well for many traumas, including those from narcissistic abuse15. Studies show it cuts down on PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms16. Some people feel better after just a few sessions, making it faster than other therapies16.
EMDR is great for dealing with both bad and good memories from abuse17. It helps people control their memories and give them new meaning15. This can help overcome feelings of low self-worth from narcissistic abuse15.
The main aim of EMDR is to heal and empower those abused by narcissists. It tackles the deep trauma and physical responses, leading to a fuller recovery15.
“EMDR therapy has been found to show improvement in individuals after just a few sessions and helps in managing anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and other issues related to PTSD.”15
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
If you’ve been through narcissistic abuse, you might find it hard to handle your feelings and form healthy relationships18. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can really help you deal with these issues and find yourself again.
DBT is a detailed therapy that teaches skills for handling strong emotions, talking better with others, and being more mindful18. Experts in DBT work with survivors in both one-on-one and group settings. They help you learn how to cope.
Key DBT Skills for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
- Mindfulness: This means becoming more aware and accepting of the now. It helps survivors deal with strong feelings and react less.
- Emotional Regulation: You’ll learn how to spot, understand, and handle tough emotions. This gives survivors the power to stop repeating harmful patterns.
- Distress Tolerance: This skill helps you deal with tough times and hard experiences in a healthy way. It makes you stronger.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Better communication and relationship skills let survivors set boundaries, speak up for themselves, and make healthier connections.
By using DBT, survivors of narcissistic abuse can get tools to deal with their trauma and take back their lives1819. This therapy’s full approach makes it a strong choice for those looking for lasting healing and growth.
“DBT helped me regain control over my emotions and rebuild my sense of self-worth after the narcissistic abuse I experienced. It’s been a game-changer in my healing journey.”
If you’re ready to move forward in your healing, think about trying Dialectical Behavior Therapy20. With the right support and skills, you can beat the effects of narcissistic abuse and take back your life1819.
therapy for narcissistic abuse
When looking for help for21 narcissistic abuse, a therapist will pick the right treatment for you. They consider your situation and symptoms. They might use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT), prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)21.
These therapies help you deal with the emotional and physical effects of22 narcissistic abuse. They help you heal, feel better about yourself, and form healthier relationships.
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is not well understood and can vary a lot. People with NPD may show some or all of its traits21. The abuse cycle often goes through idealization, devaluation, and discard21.
Narcissists are known for being overly proud, expecting special treatment, and not showing feelings easily21. They may also fear being left alone, want everything to be perfect, and use gaslighting to control21. Gaslighting is a way of making someone feel confused or unsure of their own thoughts or feelings21.
Feeling confused, scared, guilty, angry, or hopeless are common feelings for those in narcissistic relationships21. Getting therapy with someone who knows about narcissistic abuse is key to healing21. People in these relationships often have physical symptoms like skin problems and headaches21.
About 75% of those who’ve been emotionally or verbally abused have PTSD symptoms22. 60% of LGBTQIA+, same-sex, and opposite-sex couples have faced narcissistic abuse22. Therapy can help you work through these issues and move towards recovery and better relationships.
FAQ
What is narcissistic abuse?
Narcissistic abuse is when someone with narcissistic traits or disorder harms another’s emotions and mind. This kind of abuse can make the victim doubt themselves, feel bad about themselves, and suffer from trauma.
How does narcissistic abuse impact mental health?
Being emotionally abused by narcissists can lead to mental health issues. These include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially complex PTSD.
When should I seek therapy for narcissistic abuse recovery?
You should get help if the abuse’s effects are hurting your life and how you function. This means your nervous system and overall health are suffering.
How can cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help with narcissistic abuse recovery?
CBT helps fix wrong thoughts, negative views of oneself, anxiety, and doubt from narcissistic abuse. It teaches survivors to fight bad thoughts and learn new ways to cope.
What is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)?
TF-CBT teaches survivors about trauma. It helps them learn to relax and cope better and work through memories of the abuse.
How does prolonged exposure (PE) therapy work for narcissistic abuse recovery?
PE slowly exposes survivors to their traumatic memories and feelings. This helps them face and deal with the abuse safely.
What is the purpose of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy?
EMDR helps survivors deal with traumatic memories and lessen the bad feelings they cause. It uses eye movements to help.
How can dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) assist in narcissistic abuse recovery?
DBT teaches survivors to manage strong feelings. It includes learning mindfulness, controlling emotions, tolerating distress, and improving how they interact with others.
Source Links
- Narcissistic Abuse Recovery. – https://www.amandarobinspsychotherapy.com.au/narcissistic-abuse-recovery
- Understanding Narcissistic Abuse and Trauma – Trauma Therapist Network – https://traumatherapistnetwork.com/understanding-narcissistic-abuse-trauma/
- Treating Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse – https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/article/treating-survivors-narcissistic-abuse/
- Effects of Narcissistic Abuse – https://www.verywellmind.com/effects-of-narcissistic-abuse-5208164
- Narcissistic Abuse: Examples, Signs, and Effects — Talkspace – https://www.talkspace.com/mental-health/conditions/articles/narcissistic-abuse/
- Understanding Narcissistic Abuse Examples, Signs, And Effects – https://www.lifebulb.com/blogs/narcissistic-abuse
- How to Recover From Narcissistic Abuse – https://www.verywellhealth.com/narcissistic-abuse-recovery-challenges-and-treatment-5210945
- Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: Your 2024 Online Therapy Guide – https://therapyhelpers.com/blog/online-therapy-for-narcissistic-abuse/
- Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – https://mark-havens.medium.com/healing-from-narcissistic-abuse-the-role-of-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-5f34630710a1
- Narcissistic Relationships. How To Survive Them – https://thebehaviourinstitute.com/narcissistic-relationships-how-to-survive-them/
- 7+ Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Worksheets – https://positivepsychology.com/trauma-focused-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – CBT Psychology – https://cbtpsychology.com/trauma-focused-cognitive-behavioural-therapy/
- Effective Therapy for Narcissistic Personality Disorder | Counseling Center Group – https://counselingcentergroup.com/therapy-for-narcissistic-personality-disorder/
- Discover the Power of PE Therapy for Healing Trauma – https://bayareacbtcenter.com/the-power-of-pe-therapy-for-trauma/
- How EMDR Therapy Can Help with Narcissistic Abuse – Fairy Tale Shadows – https://fairytaleshadows.com/how-emdr-therapy-help-with-narcissistic-abuse/
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy – https://seachangepsychotherapy.com/therapy-types/emdr-therapy-in-atlanta/
- Using EMDR to Heal from Narcissistic Abuse – https://bayareacbtcenter.com/using-emdr-to-heal-from-narcissistic-abuse/
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Narcissistic Personality Disorder | Grouport Journal – https://www.grouporttherapy.com/blog/dialectical-behavior-therapy-narcissistic-personality-disorder?5d78fb30_page=3
- Can Narcissism Be Treated? – Marriage Recovery Center – https://marriagerecoverycenter.com/can-narcissism-be-treated/
- The DBT Workbook for Narcissistic Abuse and Gaslighting – https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648482892/the-dbt-workbook-for-narcissistic-abuse-and-gaslighting
- Narcissistic Abuse Recovery | Sherman Oaks Therapy & Wellness – https://theshermanoakstherapist.com/specialties/narcissistic-abuse-recovery/
- Narcissistic Abuse Trauma Counseling | Wisdom Within Counseling and Coaching – https://wisdomwithinct.com/narcissistic-abuse-trauma-counseling-cptsd-therapist/
