Can you develop PTSD from narcissistic abuse?
Yes. In fact, it’s almost impossible to avoid it…
Emotionally abusive relationships can leave lasting scars on the individuals involved. The effects can extend far beyond the relationship’s end, impacting their emotional well-being and mental health in profound ways.
Among the potential consequences, the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) are common outcomes.
In this blog article, we will explore how people in emotionally abusive relationships may develop PTSD and C-PTSD, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms and the challenges they face.
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When it comes to PTSD, intentional shocks inflicted by humans are the most difficult to heal from, such as sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. In regard to significance, these events fall directly under combat and resistance fighting, such as those that occur in the military.
According to Louisehay.com,
Many of us have events in our life that are traumatic. A parent dies when we’re in middle age. One of our children gets a minor illness and we’re terrified that they may not survive. A child may be diagnosed with a learning disability, or we may have a fender bender on the highway.
All of us have the resilience in our brains and bodies to bounce back; however, when we experience an event that is over the top in magnitude, such as up-close, personal experience of war, watching a loved one die, being a victim of rape or abuse, and so on, the horrific memories get laid down in our brains and bodies.
Psychiatry names this post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most recent studies with brain scans indicate that in PTSD sufferers, the fear network is not working properly.
Understanding Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse refers to a pattern of behavior aimed at undermining an individual’s self-worth, emotional stability, and overall well-being. It can involve various tactics, including constant criticism, humiliation, gaslighting, manipulation, isolation, and control. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse leaves no visible scars, making it more challenging to identify and address.
The Relationship Between Emotional Abuse and PTSD and C-PTSD:
Let’s say Judy is in a relationship with a narcissist. Because of brainwashing, the breakdown of her friendships, and constant verbal abuse, she now believes she is worthless and no one else would be interested in her. Additionally, the last two times she tried to leave, she was stalked, harassed, and intimidated until she came back. In her mind, there is no escape. She is experiencing C-PTSD.
In addition to the above scenario, Judy endured a physical assault by the narcissist and witnessed him hurt her pet. She has PTSD from these events.
The following are common characteristics of the development of PTSD in emotionally abusive relationships:
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Traumatic Events: Emotional abuse creates a hostile and unpredictable environment that subjects the victim to chronic stress and trauma. Traumatic events experienced within abusive relationships can trigger PTSD symptoms. These events may include episodes of severe verbal degradation, threats, physical intimidation, or witnessing violence.
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Hyperarousal and Hypervigilance: Individuals in emotionally abusive relationships may develop a heightened state of arousal and hypervigilance as a survival mechanism. The constant anticipation of further abuse can lead to an exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and an ongoing sense of danger, all of which are characteristic of PTSD.
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Emotional Flashbacks: Emotional abuse often erodes an individual’s sense of self and distorts their perception of reality. Emotional flashbacks, a hallmark of C-PTSD, involve intense emotional re-experiencing of past abuse. These flashbacks can be triggered by specific cues or reminders, causing the person to relive the emotional pain and distress they endured in the abusive relationship.
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Dissociation: Individuals who experience emotional abuse may utilize dissociation as a coping mechanism. Dissociation involves a detachment from oneself and one’s surroundings as a defense against overwhelming emotions and memories. Frequent dissociative episodes can hinder daily functioning and contribute to the development of C-PTSD.
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
C-PTSD, also known as complex trauma, occurs when individuals are exposed to prolonged and repeated traumatic events, often within the context of interpersonal relationships. Emotional abuse is a common cause of C-PTSD, leading to a distinct set of symptoms beyond those associated with classic PTSD:
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Emotional Dysregulation: Emotional abuse can disrupt an individual’s ability to regulate emotions effectively. They may experience intense mood swings, difficulty managing anger, feelings of shame or guilt, and a persistent sense of emptiness or hopelessness.
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Distorted Self-Perception: Chronic emotional abuse can distort an individual’s perception of self and others. They may develop feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, or a distorted self-image, leading to long-lasting self-esteem issues and difficulties establishing healthy relationships.
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Relationship Difficulties: Emotional abuse can impair an individual’s ability to trust and form healthy attachments. They may struggle with intimacy, have difficulties setting boundaries, or engage in patterns of self-sabotage that perpetuate the cycle of abuse.
Treatment and Healing
The good news is that with time and commitment, it is possible to overcome the effects of trauma after narcissistic abuse.
If you have been a victim of narcissistic abuse, please make an appointment to meet a qualified trauma specialist who can help you deal with and recover from the emotional trauma you’ve endured. This level of emotional damage will not go away on its own.
You may also find great benefit from a healing program to help you stay on track in between sessions.
The Break Free Program will give you the exact strategies to help you discover the key to transformational healing and overcoming the addiction to drama and trauma.
Proven to be a preferred, therapist-approved online resource for narcissistic abuse recovery, this practical and easy-to-follow program has helped thousands of people from all over the globe to break free from suffering and trauma… and successfully guided them through the stages of healing after narcissistic abuse. It’s so so effective, therapists are referring their own clients to it!
References:
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American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books.
Lanius, R. A., Brand, B., Vermetten, E., Frewen, P. A., & Spiegel, D. (2012). The dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder: Rationale, clinical and neurobiological evidence, and implications. Depression and Anxiety, 29(8), 701-708.
Cloitre, M., Courtois, C. A., Ford, J. D., Green, B. L., Alexander, P., Briere, J., … & Spinazzola, J. (2012). The ISTSS Expert Consensus Treatment Guidelines for Complex PTSD in Adults. Trauma, Stress, & Dissociation, 13(4), 1-42.
Opaas, M., Hartmann, E., Kvarstein, E., & Wallace, M. (2014). Constructing selves: A qualitative study of borderline personality disorder and mentalization-based treatment. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 27(4), 303-321.
World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence. World Health Organization.
Resick, P. A., & Schnicke, M. K. (1993). Cognitive processing therapy for sexual assault victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(6), 1046-1052.
