Imagine trying to stick to a bedtime routine when your life feels like a reality TV show with constant plot twists. You never know what’s coming next. That’s what it’s like living in an unpredictable environment due to narcissistic abuse. Every day feels like a new episode with unexpected drama, making it impossible to set a regular sleep schedule. As Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship researcher, explains, unpredictability in relationships leads to stress and confusion. Instead of a cozy bedtime, you’re navigating a chaotic circus where your sleep routine gets thrown out the window.
7. Fear of Abandonment
If you’ve been through narcissistic abuse, you might constantly feel anxious about being abandoned, which can seriously mess with your sleep. Your mind races, and you find it hard to relax when you’re always worried that someone might leave you or that you’ll be alone. Dr. John Bowlby, a psychologist known for his work on attachment theory, explains that the fear of abandonment triggers intense anxiety, keeping your body in a state of high alert. So even when you’re in bed, trying to rest, the fear of being left alone keeps you tossing and turning, struggling with feelings of loneliness.
8. Guilt
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