Are you still up for number six: Isolation at Night? Do you feel how the silence at night can sometimes feel deafening? For victims of narcissistic abuse, that stillness can amplify feelings of loneliness and despair. During the day, distractions like work or errands can keep you from dwelling on your emotions, but at night, when everything quiets down, those feelings often hit harder. It’s like the quiet gives your thoughts a megaphone, making you painfully aware of how isolated you feel. Dr. Judith Orloff, author of Emotional Freedom, explains that loneliness isn’t just about being alone; it’s about feeling disconnected. For abuse survivors, this disconnection often stems from the way narcissists isolate their victims. Their abuser cuts them off from friends, family, and even their sense of self. Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, in her book Set Boundaries, Find Peace, recommends small rituals that make you feel less alone, like journaling, cuddling a pet, or even playing soft music to fill the silence. She says, “Self-care is how you take your power back.” By nurturing yourself in these quiet moments, you can replace isolation with safety and comfort.
Let’s keep it moving to number seven: Hormonal Imbalance. Have you ever felt like your body just won’t cooperate, no matter how much you want to rest? Trauma can do that by messing with your hormones, especially the ones that control your sleep. Narcissistic abuse can throw off the balance of serotonin, which regulates mood, and melatonin, which signals sleep. When these neurotransmitters are out of sync, sleep becomes a struggle. Instead of feeling peaceful when you lie down, you might feel restless, anxious, or wide awake. This imbalance isn’t just frustrating; it’s exhausting. According to Dr. Rachel Huda, a leading researcher on trauma, prolonged stress and trauma can cause your body to stay in a hyperaroused state, making it hard for these hormones to do their job. To help rebalance things, small changes can make a big difference. Eating foods rich in tryptophan, like turkey or bananas, getting some sunlight during the day, or practicing mindfulness before bed can help your body start producing the hormones it needs.
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