There is a dark force that surrounds a narcissist—one that does not just haunt you in waking life but follows you into your sleep, paralyzing you in terror. Many survivors report being held down by an unseen presence, unable to move or scream while a shadowy entity looms over them. This is no ordinary nightmare; it’s a chilling experience that feels all too real. But why do survivors of narcissistic abuse experience sleep paralysis at such an alarming rate? Is this merely a psychological response to trauma, or could there be something far more sinister at play? Let’s find out.
From childhood, I was tormented by an entity that would approach me in the night, rendering me paralyzed in my own body. It never spoke, but its presence was suffocating, almost as if it fed off my fear. Want to know more? Stay tuned until the very end.
Let’s first touch on trauma. As a survivor of narcissistic abuse, you know what it feels like to live in a constant state of stress, don’t you? Your nervous system has been deeply affected. That’s why you struggle to regulate your body’s natural responses to threats. When you endure prolonged emotional, psychological, and even physical abuse, your nervous system becomes totally disregulated. Your body stays on high alert, even when no immediate danger is present. This chronic stress can manifest in many ways, including the terrifying experience of sleep paralysis that we’re discussing today.
Basically, your brain never sleeps. Narcissistic abuse keeps you in a constant state of hypervigilance. The unpredictable mood swings of the narcissist, their gaslighting, and emotional torment create an internal and external environment where safety is never guaranteed. Growing up in such an atmosphere meant that my body never truly rested; I was always on guard, subconsciously bracing myself for the next wave of chaos. Even when I fell asleep, my nervous system remained hyperaware, unable to fully surrender to restorative sleep.
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