When you’re caught in a relationship with a narcissist, they often isolate you from friends and family, making you feel like you have no one to turn to. This loss of social support can leave you feeling completely alone and overwhelmed, like you’re fighting a battle all by yourself. Without a support system, you don’t have people to lean on, share your feelings with, or get perspective from, which can make every problem feel 10 times bigger. Psychologist Dr. Carol McBride, an expert on narcissistic abuse, says narcissists isolate their victims to maintain control, leaving them without the necessary support to recognize the abuse and seek help. This isolation amplifies the stress, leading to chronic fatigue and burnout because you’re carrying all that emotional weight alone.
Sleep Disturbances
Dealing with a narcissist is like having a nightmare you can’t wake up from—even when you’re awake. The constant anxiety and stress have your brain working overtime, replaying every conversation and anticipating the next drama. It’s no wonder you can’t sleep. You lie in bed, staring at the ceiling as if it’s going to give you answers while your mind races faster than a hamster on a wheel. Sleep becomes a distant memory, and you’re left feeling like a zombie. According to Dr. Matthew Walker, a sleep expert, stress and anxiety are sleep’s worst enemies. Instead of getting your beauty rest, you’re stuck with bags under your eyes and a brain that’s running on empty. No wonder you’re tired all the time—you’re living in a sleep-deprived soap opera.
Dissociation
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