The stress of narcissistic abuse can throw off your sense of time. Tasks that should be simple might feel like they take forever or need to be rushed. This is known as “time blindness,” where everything feels chaotic. Therapist Shannon Thomas explains that abuse survivors often struggle with executive functioning, including time management, so it’s not laziness but the stress that disrupts your ability to plan and manage your day.
Tip: Use timers or visual schedules to break tasks into manageable segments. This can help you regain control over your daily activities.
8 Memory Problems
You might feel like your brain is operating on dial-up—slow and prone to crashing at the worst times. Trauma can mess with short-term memory, making it feel like you have Post-it notes floating around in your head that never stick. Walking into a room and forgetting why you’re there can be frustrating. Therapist Dr. Nicole LePera explains that trauma leaves the brain in survival mode, making it hard to focus on even small things.
Tip: To improve memory, practice grounding techniques like mindfulness and keep a journal or planner to organize your thoughts and enhance your focus.
7 Lack of Motivation
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