When you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, you might find yourself constantly seeking their approval, trying to make them happy just to get a bit of validation. This reliance on their feedback for your self-worth can be draining because it means you’re putting your own needs and self-esteem in their hands. Over time, this can erode your sense of self, leaving you feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. As Dr. John K. Pollard, a psychologist, explains, codependency is like giving someone else the power to decide your value. When your self-worth depends on someone else’s approval, it’s like being on a never-ending treadmill, running hard but never getting anywhere—which contributes to chronic fatigue and burnout.
Emotional Numbness
When you’re repeatedly exposed to the emotional chaos of narcissistic abuse, you might start to feel like you’re living in a fog, where your feelings seem distant and hard to connect with. It’s like your emotions are on mute, and you can’t engage with them anymore. This emotional numbness happens because you’ve been through so much turmoil that your mind starts to shut down feelings as a way to protect itself. As Dr. Jonice Webb, author of Running on Empty, puts it, emotional numbness is your mind’s way of coping with overwhelming stress by disconnecting from feelings. This detachment not only makes it hard to process what’s happening to you but also contributes to feeling utterly drained and burned out.
Loss of Social Support
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