Picture yourself lying awake, replaying every tiny mistake you’ve ever made, as your brain stays stuck on a loop of your personal blooper reel. That’s what guilt can do to your sleep. After enduring narcissistic abuse, guilt over perceived failures or mistakes can keep you up at night, analyzing every detail. As Dr. Harriet Lerner, a psychologist, says, guilt is like a sneaky thief — it steals our peace of mind.
9. Self-Criticism
Imagine your inner critic as a relentless coach who never lets you off the hook. Welcome to the world of self-criticism born from narcissistic abuse. When you’ve been on the receiving end of a narcissist’s constant put-downs, you start to internalize their criticism and beat yourself up over everything. Psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff says self-criticism is the fastest route to self-loathing. Instead of falling asleep, you’re stuck listening to this internal commentator, making restful sleep feel like an elusive prize.
10. Constant Monitoring
Continue reading on the next page
Sharing is caring!