Here’s where epigenetics comes in. Epigenetics explains how your environment and experiences can influence your genes. Trauma, particularly the chronic stress that comes from being in a relationship with a narcissist, can change how your genes are expressed. In simple terms, trauma doesn’t just affect your mind—it can physically alter your body’s genetic makeup.
When you’re under prolonged stress, like the stress of being in a toxic, emotionally exhausting relationship, your body’s stress response system—primarily your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—can become worn out. This concept shows that stress doesn’t just wear you down mentally; it causes chemical changes in your body that can influence which genes are turned on or off. Over time, this could make your body more prone to anxiety, depression, and even physical illnesses like chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders.
If you’ve ever wondered why you felt constantly on edge around the narcissist, it’s because your body was producing high levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. This doesn’t just dissipate once you leave the narcissist. It can stay with you, affecting your long-term health, as your body continues to carry their DNA.
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